A Chelsea yoga center known for providing relaxation to its members was doing the opposite for its neighbors until NY1 For You stepped in to help out. Susan Jhun has the follow-up report.
An early morning muffled chanting was causing Chelsea resident Joel Kroin to lose sleep.
"In the morning, they start their chanting. They have some kind of a musical instrument they've been using and it's become an annoyance," he said.
An annoyance Kroin couldn't avoid since his bedroom wall is right up against the Sivananda Yoga Center on West 24th street.
When we first met with Kroin in February, we found the Yoga Center had a history of noise complaints. Kroin's upstairs neighbor complained about the chanting a few years ago when she said it was waking her every morning at 6 a.m.
"I can't describe it other than it's a repetitive chanting sound that was just disruptive to my life," said resident Cynthia Strite.
Strite says she threatened legal action, at which point the yoga center moved the classes away from her wall.
That's all Kroin was asking for when he contacted us. At the time, the manager of Sivananda told us the center spent large amounts on soundproofing walls, stopped it's chanting on Sundays and delayed start times on other days, all to accommodate their neighbors. The manager told us the center will work with residents to come to a resolution.
Now several months later, Kroin is pleased to report that he no longer hears the chanting.
"Things have improved dramatically. There has been no disturbances from the group. And whatever NY1 did for me was certainly very positive, and I thank them very much," he said.
A peaceful solution for everyone.