Nirvana Yoga

Jan 2018

This yoga studio is cute, the instructors are amazing, but the owner is driving the business into the ground with terrible customer service. I started practicing yoga at Nirvana a year ago at the encouragement of a good friend, who is an instructor at Nirvana. The prices are 50% more expensive than other studios in the area, the space is “intimate” (meaning tiny). The tiny space is fine until the owner runs a Groupon special and allows too many students in one class, with not enough space or props to go around. I spent one class with my yoga mat half on an area rug, which caused me to slip. That was the same class I had to use the long sleeved shirt I was wearing as a strap because there weren't enough to go around. At the same time that she is offering dirt cheap Groupon specials, the loyal customers are subsidizing the groupons by paying $20 per class, which no refunds or opportunities to make up missed classes. There are very few class options, and the owner is chasing the instructors away. The owner requires students to pre-pay for 11 weeks of classes at a time. No discounts are offered for early registration, or for taking more than one class per session. Right before winter session was to start, the owner had a falling out with one of the instructors, who taught most of the classes. Instead of giving students the opportunity to get to know a new instructor on their terms, she refused to offer refunds, and changed the terms on the website to read “Instructor is subject to change.” She still has no permanent Sunday morning instructor, but refuses to bend on her no refund policy. I contacted the owner to discuss my frustrations. Instead of responding to any of the frustrations I expressed, she responded with a single sentence regarding the refund policy. I have since emailed, called and texted her, giving her an opportunity to turn a less than happy customer into a happy customer. She refuses to respond, and has turned me into an irate customer who feels she has been swindled and no longer enjoys being at the studio. But since I paid for 11 weeks worth of classes per week, almost $400, I am forced to attend or forfeit the money. After this session, I won't be returning to this studio. There are plenty of studios in the area that offer more options for less money, with no shortage of space or props. The ONLY advantage of this studio was the two instructors I took class with, and do to her selfish and negligent management, one of those instructors no longer works there. Save your money. Go somewhere where the owner cares.