BYC Yoga 26 is one of the hidden gems of Columbia as far as fitness and wellness studios go. The staff is friendly and welcoming, the facilities are cozy and clean while being airy and accessible for practitioners of all skill levels. I attended my first session last week from a referral of a friend. Coming from a vinyasa practice, I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but boy was I wrong. The 75 minute flow sessions kicked my butt in the best way possible. I left feeling exhilarated, exhausted, rejuvenated, and broken down all at once. I've since returned for a second visit and plan to add this to my regular fitness/wellness routine. read more

Helpful, welcoming staff. I suggest bringing your own yoga mat and towel and definitely come early to register if it's your first time. They will lock the door and start on time. read more

I love bikram yoga but this place has been a nightmare for me! I usually go to the studio out in Baltimore but as a birthday gift I was given this introductory month. Day 1: So I was informed yesterday of this, I called 5x throughout the day to check to see if the month starts immediately after purchase. Due to no calls back or answers I assumed it did. I work near dc and am a grad school so I had to rush to make it to the class. I come in 7 mins before class and see 3 people at the front desk. The lady at the desk said the phone didn't ring and that due to the classes they can't get to the phones which was why I called at different times. So since I was already there I started the classes. I didn't have a lock for my things so a lady started telling me no I have to put my things in a locker I can't leave it there, the woman at the front desk said I could so I did. So I went into the class laid my mat where I felt comfortable, the lady who told I have to use lockers came up to me and whispered telling me I can't lay my mat there and to follow her with my mat (assuming she worked there I did). So I laid my mat where she told me and then laid down before class started...she began whispering more-telling me that I couldn't lay like that and the towel can't be under my head. I told her class didn't start yet and I'm relaxing, she tells me that's not how to do it. She then said I need to move my mat again to the front. At this point my zen is disturbed! I whispered back and asked her if she works there she said no, I said please leave me alone I have taken bikram yoga before and I'm trying to relax before class. She finally left me alone after that. It was very awkward and strange, I should have moved from where she told me to stay because I felt her looking at me in the mirror but of course I kept my focus. The class was fine but the experience is horrid, maybe day 2 would be better... Day 2: rushed to bikram yoga...confirmed class at 6:30pm, screenshot posted from Google. Arrived at 6:24pm and doors are already shut and locked. I knocked no answer and didn't bother crying. I am extremely frustrated! Day 2 was not better... This is extremely disappointing! I was excited to have a nice local bikram yoga class but this experience is way too dreadful. One month of bikram yoga classes given to me for free as a birthday present and it has been thee worst experience! My friend keeps apologizing to me. read more

BYC Yoga 26 - Came here at 6:24 and doors were locked before class even started - Yoga Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

See all

I wish I had experienced some of the instructors described in the 5 star reviews, but unfortunately, I have had a few experiences with a few rude staff members. I'm not sure if this is a co-op owned kind of place, but there is certainly the air of 'that's not my job' with regard to questions, sales, phone calls, etc. The classes themselves are reasonable, however, there were 2 times that the temperature/humidity was way off and extremely oppressive. During one of these times, two people had become ill and left the room and 1/2 of the class was laying down for the majority of the floor set. The instructor brushed it off as saying 'yes, its warmer than usual because of the class before this one'... OKAY, but it should be better regulated for the comfort of the participants, and I would imagine, for the integrity of the practice - ? read more

$50 groupon for unlimited yoga for a month; such a steal. I came to a 09:30 class on a Thursday after registering online. Kat was at the desk and was very informative with how things worked. Being completely new to yoga I did not know what to expect and it turned out great! I rented a mat for $4 which is very convenient. There were 5 of us total and Kat was our instructor. Very spacious room with a mirror. Women's restroom has cubbies and showers which is also convenient! So Kat informed me that she doesn't instruct the poses which worried me being completely new at this. But I just followed along with the others and got the hang of it. Be prepared for sweat to literally be rolling off of you. Bring a bath sized towel, water, and a yoga mat(if you have one). Awesome experience and I'll definitely be back! read more

I've been attending the BodySpace Yoga classes for the past two weeks and everyone in terms of instructors and staff have been nothing but warm and friendly. The studio is in an awesome location and well-kept, there's also plenty of parking in the lot right outside and also a juice bar in the lobby. I've enjoyed making Bikram in Columbia my yoga home as I said before everyone's super friendly and helpful whenever you have questions about membership, poses, or basic Hindu when learning terms/phrases. I find it hard to believe that there is better out there when it comes to a hardcore yoga studio as every last instructor I've come into contact with has been at the top of their ability and challenged me like never before (I've been practicing for 9 years). In addition to the bikram classes, I must recommend YogaSculpt on Thursdays at 1230p HOLY MOLI, you'll feel the burn!! -Namaste- read more

I have been going to this studio since it opened 10 years ago. Over the past 10 years I have practiced in countless studios in Maryland and DC. BYC is my favorite studio and I'd rather drive 25 minutes to go to it than go to the studio 5 minutes from my house. Why I enjoy this studio: 1. It is very clean - everyone takes off their shoes when they arrive so dirt does not trail through the studio 2. it smells great! - Unlike other hot yoga studios the whole place has a very pleasant clean smell not the mildew/body odor smell I've grown accustomed to in other studios that offer hot yoga. 3. Amazing informed, friendly, diverse staff & students! The staff are well informed and available to talk to you about your questions and concerns. The studio attracts amazing people. read more

I've been going here off and on since 2009, the studio is very welcoming and the classes are SO challenging.

Love everything about it! Courtney, Edward, and Lynn are my favorite instructors. And I really appreciate the student discount. Echoing another review, my only feedback would be that I'd really like to see some mid-day classes. I work nights, so the 9:30 feels to early for me, and I'm at work by the next, 4:30, class; while 11:30 would be perfect. Alternatively, even offering the 8:30 class more than just twice per week would be helpful. read more

Love this studio -- I drive all the way from Annapolis a couple times a month because I love the culture, staff, atmosphere & dedication of the members here. Edward is my favorite instructor, his class is like therapy! read more

This was my first time at Bikram Yoga. My instructor, Micah, left much to be desired. Upon check-in she asked if I'd ever taken bikram yoga, to which I replied no. Big mistake. Although I made it very clear that I've taken many yoga classes over the years, Micah took my lack of experience with bikram as a green light to give me special treatment the...entire...class. The treatment was given in not in a positive reassuring way, but in a 'special needs' sort of way. I was told (not a suggestion) that I had to take a spot in the back of the class and watch the people in front of me. Okay, fine. I was introduced to the class as the 'new person'. The introduction was not welcoming, it was more so, 'we have a new person with us today, so be patient while we let her figure things out' sort of way. Fine...whatever. Then for the entire class, Micah took breaks at the front of the class to give me special instructions. She felt the need to tell me when to take water breaks, when to sit out and watch the other students before I attempt a move, etc. I mean really? Am I 5 years old? It's acceptable to give a suggestion to sit out and not attempt a move. It's not acceptable to take away my choice to do a move altogether. And if I pay $20+ for one class, then don't tell me when I have to sit anything out. If it's not dangerous and I'm not struggling then let me be. Further, I think I can manage my water intake. There is a difference between being helpful and treating someone like a child. I'm a former division one collegiate champion, I've taken countless yoga classes, I'm not over weight and I have no major health issues. Further, I was holding yoga positions better than some of the other students in the class. I'm not saying any of this to brag. My point is that no special treatment was needed. As an instructor you should see how a new student does before you put on your kid gloves with them. Help them if they struggle, answer their questions and give them support if needed. That's it. Then just leave them alone and let them be a part of the group. I made it through 1 hour and 20 minutes of this treatment and just couldn't take it anymore. I left before the class was over. I've been to many yoga studios over the years and I've never had such a poor experience. I've actually never had a poor experience with any instructor. I'm not even the type to write reviews. It was such a disappointment. read more

The worst bikram yoga studio I have visited. Staff was rude, poorly trained, and made me feel like I never want to return to this place. When asked to look up something for me, the lady at the front desk said you are making me do more than what is required of my job. You can't really understand some of the instructors' instructions either. This place is over priced compared to other bikram yoga. Just save your money, find other places to do your practice. read more

Kat and Lynn are my favorites! Not only are they super nice and friendly, but they seem very experienced and tend to coach students throughout the session. If you're doing something wrong, they help correct your mistakes or if you're doing something right they praise you. I love that in a teacher. Since I'm relatively new to bikram, I always like to know if I'm improving or how to improve which is great about them. I feel like one of the instructors plays favorites and is not as welcoming to new students as Kat and Lynn are. Therefore, I do not take her class. read more

I absolutely love this yoga center - with the exception of the price. I can't afford to got here but I wish I could...

I went here because I was home for the summer and was looking for a cheaper alternative to Charm City Yoga to continue my practice. Luckily for me, BYC was doing a Groupon special for a month unlimited. The teachers, for the most part, are pretty good. Edward was probably my favorite. You know an instructor is amazing when the ninety minutes fly by and you feel calm and rejuvinated, not just plain exhausted (which is difficult to do when you're sweating and contorting into pretzels for an hour and a half!). However, I wasn't able to make too many of his classes because of its time. There were two female instructors who rubbed me the wrong way. One of them taught a weekend class I think; she had a very abrasive way of teaching where she would make kind of snarky, not-quite-critical criticisms of people's poses and attempts. She also made the room excessively hot and kept commenting on how she was surprised by how we weren't pushing ourselves enough, or something like that, when it was clear that we were all fatigued from the sweltering heat and humidity of the room that day. The other instructor was so annoying! She kept telling us to push deeper and deeper into our poses (when it was clear that most of us were going about as far into the poses as we could go) and would try to "correct" us by physically adjusting our bodies, at least for me, to the point of pain. I actually had to shrug her off at one point, but she didn't take the hint. Like, lady, I am giving you my 100%, I promise; please don't adjust me any further because I physically cannot contort my body like that yet. But, like I said, those were only two out of the several times I went to this studio. I actually enjoyed going here during my unlimited month. It's clean, for the most part (although a couple times I've gone and noticed a very pungent sweat odor, something that other studios I've been to somehow have managed to avoid rather well), and has a nice big room to practice in. The bathrooms include nooks for your belongings, toilets, and showers, too, which are convenient. I regret that I was not able to come here more during my Groupon month but I got sick for the last two weeks of it. If I ever am home again I'll be back to do a couple of classes, for sure. Can't beat the price. read more

I have been going to this studio for a few years and its quality has drastically dropped. The overall goal in BY is to be present and focus on improving your mind and body. BYC is not capable of providing this at this moment in time and I will tell you why... The facility is in poor shape, the floor is visibly re-glued and peeling up, and the heating/humidity system is often too hot or too cold, seems to never be working correctly. The instructors range broadly, a few are good and keep the regimen consistent and structured... the majority of instructors seem to me more occupied with being a 'yoga teacher' instead of actually teaching yoga. They also seem to not practice BY themselves because their tips are generally misplaced and not correct . They also cannot manage their time correctly because class is very often rushed near the end or even ends late. This doesn't sound like a big deal to people not familiar with BY but this extra time is spread across the entire class by adding seconds to several poses...The poses are designed by Bikram to be the perfect amount of time for the body to be challenged but not injured or harmed. By adding time and fatiguing the body early it doesn't allow someone to do the complete class and they lose the overall impact. Overall I dont know how they seem to mess it up, Bikram gives them the secret recipe to being successful = time/temp and even a dialogue with built in tips while still managing time. BYC, please get it together, I dont want to drive to Annapolis to keep practicing but may have too if you keep this up. read more

I love Bikram Yoga Columbia. The teachers are very nice and supportive. I have improved my flexibility and core strength.

My yoga experience at this place is so far awesome. I wish I can give 5/5 starts but the price is expensive for the grad student. But, I really appreciate student discount they offer! read more

I've been going here for the past two years and it is the best and only Bikram I have been to in the area. Kat is my favorite instructor. Make sure you bring a towel to put on top of your mat! You'll be happy you did! read more

DO NOT ARRIVE LATE! Wow 2 minutes late and door locked with no one to answer the phone. Plan for Columbia traffic.

I attempted to come to the hot yoga at 9:30am. I called several times because I was having difficulty finding the location, no one picked up the phone. In fact, whe. I called it souned like I was attempting to send a fax. When I finally found the place, the door was locked. I am new to the area and was interested in trying this place out. read more

I've been practicing Bikram yoga regularly for 7 years and have been to about 20 different studios across the United States. Like anything, bikram yoga is what you make of it and at the same time, environment can have a huge impact on the quality of your practice. Unfortunately, this studio ranks near the bottom of those I have attended. While the facility itself isn't bad (small but relatively clean and nice), the teachers (with the exception of a few) are far below average. I am hesitant to take advice from teachers that I rarely see in the yoga room practicing themselves and this is evident in the way manage their classes or give out tips that are generally unhelpful. Also, there is little attempt to encourage students and they are generally unwelcoming. The prices are not competitive and they have the most limited schedule in the DC/Baltimore area with no option for a midday class for those of us that work nights (where 9:30 am is too early and 4:30 is too late) or simply prefer a lunch time class. If I were a new student and this was the first studio I went to, I probably would not continue practicing. I get the impression that there is no passion behind making this studio better both on the part of the owner as well as the teachers. Consequently, the lack of passion is felt in the yoga room. I find it very interesting that the few AMAZING teachers I have had at this studio stayed for only a short time. If you have the option, look for a different studio to practice. If you don't have the option, good luck staying motivated and hope that BYC will read reviews like this and improve their studio. read more

I have been to a few hot yoga studios in the area. When I saw a living social deal for this location, I thought I'd give it a try. First of all, as a few people have said, the instructor was not friendly. The actual hot room smells so badly of body odor that I felt I was going to pass out (not from the heat). I hated it so much I wound up only going once, and wasted 25$. read more

The studio and facilities are mediocre, and do not sign up for something unless you are going to go through with it. They have extremely bad customer service when handling refunds, as in, they don't give them. Even when you've moved and never used your membership... Goodbye $100! read more

I have been coming to this studio now for 2 years, and through some very difficult health challenges. The staff has always made me feel welcomed, has accommodated me in a professional and caring manner, as well as, helped challenge me to get through those sometimes impossible mental blocks. I wouldn't dare go anywhere else, and drive out of my way past another local Bikram studio for the pleasure of working with Kat and crew. read more

This studio is amazing. Clean, bright and attentive to each individual's needs. My instructor, Kat, was extremely helpful and supportive with my needs and limitations. The combination of the amazing instruction with a very pleasant environment makes my yoga experience top notch. I recommend BYC for maintaining your body, mind, and spirit. read more

I have 3 herniated discs in my lower back. I have been in pain since March. I started Bikram Yoga 2 months ago and I am now pain free. I am a huge fan and love the teachers!!!! read more

Just an update. I've since had several Instructors and the quality is the same throughout. I unfortunately injured my shoulder and have been out for a bit (not injured by Yoga but while doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). I'll be starting again tomorrow, and though there are other options closer to me, I'm still going to BYC Yoga. That's about as good a recommendation as I can give. Great place! read more

I came to this studio on my visit to see family. The facility was very clean. I was shocked at the number of showers they have. I was only expecting 1 or 2, they had 5. I did not experience classes that were too hot - as some reviewers claimed. Though I realize heat is relative to each individual. I enjoyed both teachers (Sat 8am and Sun 8am) They both knew their stuff. I will def return should family call me to the area again! Namaste. read more

In January, 2016 upon the urging of another yoga student, I attended a yoga session. The instructor, Allison, was aware I was a beginner. Our initial interaction was very pleasant so I perceived the instructor as a warm and friendly spirit. This was clearly a charade. During the entire session I was her victim of choice. She was a tyrant and often elevated her voice when my pose was incorrect. During one of the stretch poses, she was in my ear demanding the correct pose. In another instance of malevolent behavior, she forcefully stretched my legs. I have tried other yoga studios and had a zen experience. This by far was the worst. One star for this instructor is philanthropic. I understand certain employees do not always exhibit company values. If Allison is the owner, negative stars are warranted. If not, she should be sent packing back to Baltimore. read more

Went back after a year or more , very courteous yoga teachers , my back and neck pain fell good after posing for some easy postures and survived the whole duration of class inside . Plan is to continue yoga practice few times a week, for next few months to ease my back and neck pain during the tough winter time. read more