Disappointed. Being a yogi and new to the area, I have been shopping various yoga studios, in search of a studio close to my new home, that offers a variety of classes and has a good community. My first visit to InnerVisionYoga I was welcomed by a lovely gal behind the desk who informed me of the starter package rates and a class schedule. I didn't have time that day to attend a class but left with a very good impression. Today I realized I had a window of time and saw that IVY was offering a class within the hour. It happened to be free, though I would have paid the drop-in rate of $13 if it was a regular class.
The description of the class read: "Intro to Yoga is open to everyone and is FREE for new students. This class is for all levels and will introduce you to Yoga in a safe, enjoyable way with a goal towards creating a lifelong practice. Intro to Yoga is a fun and gentle introduction to basic breathing principles, pose alignment, meditation and relaxation. This is a one-hour class."
I didn't really need an intro to yoga as I am a certified instructor, but it happened to fall into my schedule for the day and was close by, so I thought it might be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the studio.
For those of you looking to try IVY, keep in mind that this is indeed a talkative, INTRO to Yoga. Beth is very knowledgeable and did a nice job of explaining various levels of yoga as they are taught at IVY.
BUT this is what you need to know... If you are shopping yoga studios and you see this particular class and not 100% certain you want to sign up, be careful NOT to go to this class unless you are 100% prepared to buy a Starter package of $49 THAT very moment after the class is over, otherwise you forfeit the starter package rates.
Had I known that, I would have chosen another yoga studio to attend today, so as to not be given an ultimatum to sign or lose.
Just this month I relocated from Cal to PHX, I have a lot more move detail/travel to do this month and the month ahead, so any membership I choose to purchase will be made at the time when I know I will be able to enjoy it.
Furthermore, I want to add that though Beth the instructor said she wasn't trying to "sell us" on anything, she indeed was. As I prepared to leave the studio and said that I would be traveling and will happily join IVY when I get more settled in, she was very adamant about me signing up right then and there and told me that I would NOT be able to make use of the starter packages JUST BECAUSE I attended this one free intro class.
Let's break this down.
1) Nowhere on the website, on the pamphlets, in the studio, in class does it state anything to that nature. Had it been fully disclosed, I would have passed on today's class altogether.
2) It seems Beth is very sales driven. As an instructor, I know that we get bonuses when we sign people up for the studios we teach at, but this was too much. She was pushy, strict, and even rude as I declined and chose to leave. She came off more like a desperate, used car salesman, speaking loudly at me from behind the desk to Not Leave because the offer won't last...
I mean this is yoga, right?
3) Many of the yoga studios I have worked with over the years also offer a free course on the weekends. It's called KARMA and they offer them as a way to introduce people to yoga, their facility and also provide a way for those less fortunate to experience yoga. IVY, however, uses the "Free Intro" as a sales tool, and there are implications if you don't sign that day... Which, if you know anything about the Yoga moral principles - Yama and Niyama, you will know that this form of grasping, manipulating and greedy sales tactic is the exact opposite of true yoga.
4) Being of both a hospitality background and yoga instructor - and a business owner myself, let's just chalk this up to a customer relations fail. IF Beth is getting incentives for signing up people, it would behoove her and the studio to not be so black and white about the starter package deals - or at least put it in writing someplace obvious. Beth should have 1) listened and respected my time constraints, 2) offered me a business card or something with her name/code on it so that I can make sure SHE get's the bonus when I do sign up at a time when joining a studio makes sense for me, 3) make it about the guest/community, not about the studio/herself.
Overall, I did love the studio space and really liked the people at the front desk. Beth is actually a great teacher and had a lot of great insider yoga tips and insights. I can see that it would be a great yoga studio to join.
I simply think it is important for the general public to know that the "Free Intro" is not an actual class, it is an intro-sales strategy and that if you are NOT prepared to take them up on the $49 starter packages, do not forfeit your ability to enjoy the starter rates by taking this class too soon.
I hope this is insightful to newcomers.
namasté read more