I had an awful experience at this studio. There is a severe lack of cultural awareness, a teacher attempted to physically assist me when I did not give him consent to do so, and they have a studio-wide policy that you cannot leave any class once it has started unless it's an "emergency.".
Firstly, I was very shocked to see a white appearing, female teacher, Jesse Caetano, wearing a shirt that said 'Guru' on it while teaching a class. On top of that, this studio still finishes all of their classes with the phrase 'Namaste'. Given the collective cultural awareness around the appropriation and commercialization of yoga especially in the West, it is shocking to see this type of behavior still happening in a studio. There has been an entire movement and there are many resources now available on how studios and teachers should be working towards cultural sensitivity, respect, and inclusion. This studio seems to be completely out of touch and behind on all of these important issues.
Secondly, a male teacher, Darryl Brown, attempted to "adjust" me while in a balancing pose (eagle). He stepped onto my mat and tried to push me with a block in his hand from behind. I did not give him consent to touch me when he asked at the beginning of class who would like hands-on assists. Consent is a very important thing to respect in all environments, especially in the yoga studio when there's a male teacher.
Lastly, I attempted to leave a class five minutes early and the same teacher who was wearing the Guru shirt, Jesse Caetano, told me " I can't let you leave the room" when I attempted to exit. Apparently, it is a studio-wide policy that no one can leave the heated yoga rooms unless it's an emergency. The owner told me this is to "keep everyone safe". It's important to note that all of their classes are heated and that this sort of policy is inherently very dangerous and limits personal autonomy as well.
I would not recommend this studio, there are many great places in Calgary to practice yoga, find another studio! read more