I tried it! An NYC yoga class with a soundscape to 'mimic the grounding vibrations of the earth’

Welcome to ‘I tried it,’ a new series where our reporters try novel or trendy experiences in New York — so you can decide if you want to.

I'm not sure if it’s my entry into middle age, the relentless shuttling of my three kids, or my confusing position as a Gen X-Millennial cusper, but lately I find myself much more open to unconventional ways of releasing the pressure — i.e.: fully game for the woo-woo.

So when I read about Humming Puppy, a Chelsea yoga studio whose group classes feature a custom audio experience called “The Hum,” I signed up.

Would the special soundscape bring more focus and calm to my life, as the website suggested?

The shala at Humming Puppy Yoga Flatiron.

What made me want to try Humming Puppy

I’ve tried sound baths before, and enjoyed how the bowls’ thrum pushed out thoughts of carpools and deadlines, replacing them with earthy vibrations throughout my body.

Humming Puppy’s website describes The Hum as a bespoke soundtrack offering two frequencies: 7.83 Hz, which “mimics the grounding vibrations of the earth”; and 40 Hz, which “induces ‘Gamma’ brainwave activity [encouraging] collective peak performance and concentration.”

Humming Puppy cofounder Jacqueline Alexander designed The Hum, which plays continuously in the studio via hidden surround-sound subwoofers, with help from a composer in Australia. The first HP studios opened in 2015 and 2016 in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

“We have never claimed that the hum can entrain the mind and body,” said Alexander, over email. “We have always felt the hum feels good and leant into that.”

There is some research to indicate that 40 Hz sound waves, which sound like a very low bass note, may have positive impacts on brain activity and markers like cognition, memory and mood.

And 7.83 Hz, also called the “Schumann Resonance,” is a scientifically proven hum that sometimes occurs when lightning interacts with the charged particles in Earth’s ionosphere.

Researchers have used the waves in climatological studies and investigated the effect of electromagnetic waves on humans and other life forms. But to my knowledge 7.83 Hz soundtracks aren’t scientifically proven to help your health or headspace.

Regardless, I was curious what this hum could mean for my asanas.

And at $35 per class, the cost was only slightly higher than the NYC average of roughly $25. So why not?

What about the “puppy” in Humming Puppy?

There are no dogs! The owners chose the name because they want to create a friendly vibe.

“Our aim is to make every member feel welcomed and cared for, just like a beloved puppy greets its owner,” said Kurt Joyce, chief operations officer at Humming Puppy.

What I liked

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, I attended Humming Puppy’s “Dynamic Hum,” its hourlong offering for more experienced yogis.

As I climbed the stairs at 119 W 23rd St., I smelled eucalyptus, not sweat.

Instructors and guests use quiet voices as they move through the expansive space, which includes a stylish, dimly lit studio (they call the practice space a “shala”) with a strong West Elm vibe. There’s also a sun-filled lobby with a velvety sectional and herbal teas on offer, as well as a spa-like locker room with shower stalls and a large vanity.

During class, the hum was subtle: less “sound bath,” more “Space Odyssey,” like the background whirr I’ve heard in movie scenes that take place in Earth’s orbit. The Hum never changed or stopped, even during savasana; it’s just an ever-present and enveloping ambiance that seems to emanate from everywhere. I found it soothing. (Here’s a preview.)

Discreet as it was, I do think the hum — perhaps like any white noise? — supported deeper focus. Whereas in many yoga classes I find myself checking out other people’s postures, here I was hardly aware of my 19 classmates.

What I loved

Humming Puppy has genius solutions for the most annoying aspects of an urban yoga practice.

When you book your class, you also book your mat location, so there’s no nervous negotiating for a spot.

Your mat, blocks and strap are provided, and the shala is built like a mini stadium, with each row a step higher than the last, so you have a good view of your instructor no matter where you’re situated.

These little touches add up to a near-frictionless experience where the focus is the yoga, not the setup.

After the class, I felt grounded and rejuvenated, much like you feel after meditating. My joints were looser, too; Amy, the instructor that day, led us through lots of hip and shoulder openers.

What to know before you go

Get there early: Like most yoga studios, Humming Puppy encourages this, and they mean it: At least one reviewer was turned away after arriving a minute late. Allot at least 90 minutes so you can enjoy the space before and after your class.

Grab towels: They’re provided inside the shala, and you’ll want them to stabilize your hands and mop sweat from your face — the studio is heated to 80 degrees F.

If you’re busy, take advantage of the showers. They’re spacious, and there are plenty (three in the female locker room, two in the male, and one in the private gender-neutral bathroom) – so you’ll actually be able to change at the studio instead of racing home if you’re going out after class. (They’ve got shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dry shampoo, deodorant, tampons, and hairdryers, too.)

Don’t fret: The class I attended was on the more physically demanding side, though they have plenty of offerings for newbies. At Humming Puppy, folks are welcoming and everyone’s there to unwind.

The Hum is a positive: I appreciated how the sound helped me forget the city and get in the zone. The soundtrack is definitely one of Humming Puppy’s differentiators, so whether you’re new to yoga or have been practicing for years like I have, it’s worth experiencing at least once.

Is there an experience you’d like our reporters to try? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.