A dangerous cult, housing discrimination, exploitative practices, troubling child neglect,…read morefraudulent charities, unsafe housing. I lived there for several years and below are my observations and experiences. - I've seen over a dozen suitable tenants ask to live on property and be given the run-around over the past 3 years and did not even get to the application process. This amounts to housing discrimination. Some people are required to do a "Panj," which is an extensive, hours-long interview process; it entails 5 of the most senior in-crowd asking invasive and inappropriate questions about one's sex life and medical status, among other things. Yes, they discriminate against both medical and lifestyle in housing applicants. More popular people, or those in the "in crowd" (wealthy) are not required to undergo this scrutiny. - Housing conditions didn't meet state minimum standards and they would not make repairs unless I threatened to sue. Leaks, mold, violations of ADA, Massachusetts health, and fire safety codes. Violations too numerous to list. - They don't have an innkeeper's license, which is required by state law to accept guests in shared housing. They can't get that license without meeting fire safety codes, which include automatic sprinklers and installing fire doors. They refused to get the license/meet the codes and are not legal to accept guests- They insisted on accepting paying guests anyway. Also they didn't conform to health codes about sanitizing shared bathrooms and while I was in guest housing, and I landed in the hospital for a CONTAGIOUS SKIN INFECTION. - Rampant child neglect. One unattended 7 year old routinely (more than 10x) harassed me outside of my apartment door while I was working from home. The parent is in a position of power there and refused to address it. After complaining, I was effectively bullied and blackballed. I do not recommend bring children here for activities. I witnessed unsupervised resident children bully and abuse other/guest children. Who insists on a 7 year old going around unsupervised? Grossly negligent and unsafe. - While I was working for one of their charities, I observed fraud, misappropriation, missing donations, and soliciting donations under false pretenses (making it sound like donations were going to one charity and funneling them to another). When I brought it up, they would not address these issues unless I threatened to make it legal. Who has time for that? They survive on "seva" or folks donating their time and labor while Yogi Bhajan made over a BILLION dollars from fleecing his students and exploiting their labor in just this way. His abusive ways live on in this organization. Nothing has changed despite their rebranding and claims at reform. I do not recommend donating or volunteering for this organization. - Beware of the men! I was sexually harassed, pursued, cornered, followed, or otherwise abused by every male resident except one on the property. This is tacitly condoned by the administration: I complained when an employee of the ashram cornered me in my apartment. In short, they did nothing. The employee still works there and has done worse to others. Not a safe space for women in my experience. - They need to keep a percentage of apartments turning over to meet their bills, which won't be met if folks stay because of "rent control," so less established residents may be/are driven out. Part of this is about rigging the elections for their board, (after a # of years, residents are allowed to vote). This results in less popular (poorer) residents being bullied and hazed out of their housing, among other things. - Gatekeeping, discrimination, hazing, and unevenly applied rules make it impossible to cut through red tape and are the definition of cult abuse. - They persecute the poorer members of community who cannot or will not sue or move out. - All major (and most minor) decisions are made by a cabal of off-site elites who almost never step foot on the property. - There is MUCH more in the way of cult abuse. - Watch HBO's documentary series called Breath of Fire discussing the cult abuse perpetrated by Guru Jagat and the rampant sexual and financial abuses by Kundalini Yoga's founder, yogi bhajan. Yoga at the Ashram still runs on this abusive patterning.

I have been coming to the ashram for over two years. the studio is beautiful and the teachers are…read moregreat. I've been to multiple workshops there, look at the schedule for something that interests you I hear they are bringing on more diverse programming in the future. Great place, great people. Bill

I am unbelievably grateful that I found Burning Wheel - it is exactly what I needed. I hadn't…read morepracticed yoga regularly in over five years, but it's all coming back like riding a bike because of the nurturing and welcoming instruction and environment. I've never cared for hot yoga before, but I love the hot classes at Burning Wheel. The lighting system is state of the art; the instruction is phenomenal; the environment is better than any other I've experienced - I just can't say enough positive about this studio.

I began attending Burning Wheel Yoga last October. Their classes have really helped me on many…read morelevels. I am an out of shape older guy who isn't very limber and has some other physical limitations but all the instructors have been great at helping me find movement and poses that I can do. The facility is quite nice with showers available. There is a wide variety of different classes and times that have provided a great amount of choice for my practice. I have improved so much that I am now comfortable in any of the classes. The best part is how the leaders challenge even the people with well developed practices and help us learners as well. Best wishes to Jordan and Angela as they continue to grow the yoga community here. Make sure you try the yoga nidra practice some night. Conscious unconsciousness. So awesome! I will encourage anyone to please come try his great studio.

I cannot say enough about how much this yoga teacher has helped me. Through everything I've been…read moregoing through, she has shown patience, compassion, and genuine care. She meets me where I am each day -- physically, emotionally, and mentally -- and guides me in a way that makes me feel safe and supported. Practicing with her has helped me reconnect my mind and body at a time when I truly needed it. She never rushes, never judges, and always encourages me to listen to my body. Her kindness and presence make every session healing in ways beyond yoga. I am deeply grateful for her guidance and highly recommend her to anyone looking for more than just exercise -- but true support and healing.

I have been coming to Hometown Sweat since they were in their old location on Huron Drive…read more Honestly, the vibe has changed since reopening in the new space. Not only is the heated room smaller, it smells ripe all the time, the staff are forgetful and sometimes moody, some of the patrons are rude, the continuous waitlists are annoying, and the "feeling of community" is all a farce. I enjoyed the Sculpt classes taught by Sami on Thursday mornings but due to my schedule, I had to resort to the noontime class taught by an instructor who is consistently forgetful. It has become a running joke among her students whether she's going to remember the right side plank or hydrant after completing the left side or vice versa. The biggest issue I take with this studio is this idea of community and their so-called studio rules. They are unwritten (but apparently are stated rules). If you ask an instructor about these unwritten rules, beware... you could be considered aggressive for asking...and have your membership canceled without even a conversation. What are these unwritten rules you might ask? Surprisingly, these unwritten but stated rules that everyone should know or be able to hear in a crowded room with blasting music and loud conversation is about the positioning of students in the studio when it gets crowded. Of course, this might seem obvious that one would stagger with their neighbor if they felt like there was any danger to oneself or the neighbor. But no...these unwritten rules state that the staggering is led by the person on the complete opposite side of the room. For example, if you have placed your mat in the farthest right corner of the room by the mirror, it is your job to follow the lead of a person on the complete opposite side of the room, someone you cannot see, especially given how crowded the studio is which is why there is staggering in the first place. This happened to me. Another class member came up to my mat at the end of class and confronted me because I did not follow the "rules" to give her daughter enough space. She yelled at me in the class and was very aggressive to me, telling me that she was going to have the instructor explain to me these "rules". After I cooled off on my mat, I found the instructor and asked her about these "rules". She informed me that these "rules" were unwritten but stated at the beginning of each class. I cannot remember ever hearing that these "rules"even existed, maybe because she might have forgotten to say them that day, maybe because I couldn't hear her over the music and the conversations that were happening, or maybe something else. But my asking clarification on these rules became an issue and rather than understanding the facts about the situation, the owner (who was not even present) left a voicemail that my membership was cancelled. I sent an email explaining my side and to express my disappointment about her lack of a thorough review of what happened from all parties , and asked her to provide a written explanation of the cancellation without a review. I also asked that "rules" should be written and not just stated. Not only was I the one who was treated aggressively by another member, but the owner's complete dismissal of their own community member without a thorough review negates the whole "community" that she sold us on, and to do it all over voicemail. She has yet to respond to my email, but left another voicemail. Who does that?

Best workout! I love the high energy, sweat and supportive community around me! Dedicated…read moreinstructors. I love going.

I have been a member of this studio for 5+ years and have learned so much. The staff has been very…read moreinclusive and helpful throughout my time there. The smell that is mentioned in other reviews has gone down dramatically since all participants are required to use 2 towels to practice. (Guess what makes a Yoga Studio Smell?... the answer is you.) I have had to stop a few times for medical reasons, and each time I come back they welcome me back with open arms. I personally would suggest a private lesson after you have been practicing for a month. I would also think about doing another one every year if not 6 months as you continue to grow and change what you need to focus on.

Yoga for you is a great little studio, very bare bones. Things I like include the owner, the…read morelending library, the water bubbler and the utility bathroom with the big sink. Also, it's nicely tucked away in a cool basement spot. Drawbacks to this include the coldness in the wintertime and the difficult to find location. I don't particularly like that the teacher sits on a stool in the middle of the front mirror, because it takes up mirror space in an already crowded room. There is plenty of parking in the lot across the street. Which brings me back to the difficult to find situation. Address is on Centre St. The studio is actually only accessible from Corey St (the one that has the lot on it). Traveling east on Centre St., take a right on Corey. The lot is one block down on the left and the studio is at the back of the lot on the other side of the street (which Yogis are not allowed to park in). Good luck finding it and when you do, relax, get sweaty and enjoy yourself!

Rachel's Spa Yoga on Sunday nights at 6p is such a treat! Her calm presence guides you through an…read morehour of stretching, breathing, and healing energy. It's a beautiful and rejuvenating way to start the week! Highly recommend.

Blue lotus is a smaller yoga studio in needham center. The classes are peaceful and really hit the…read morespot when you need a quick stretch. I know they do acupuncture and some other treatments but I have only had experience with their yoga classes. All the teachers are super nice too. Would definitely recommend for someone who is newer to practicing yoga or wants to pop into a class every once and a while.

Melanie is so nice! I'm a new yoga place and I will sign up for the new beginner classes and I'm…read morelooking forward to it,

With Yoga being new to me, I was not sure it was going to be something I would enjoy. I have been…read morepleasantly surprised. I truly look forward to going. The instructors are so knowledgeable and positive. I leave feeling relaxed while having had an amazing workout.

I have known Jessica personally for about 3 years now. She is a lovely person and an amazing…read moremassage therapist. I have been to other places for massages but could never justify the price. Just too expensive for a short term pleasure and pain later. Then I visited Jessica. I first went to see Jessica about 1.5 years ago. Wow. Her hands are smooth and are like a touch of heaven. After I first went to her I seriously would have booked many more appointment immediately but the drive (40 minutes one way) was a bit much for me. Now she has Friday and Saturdays in West Boylston just minutes from my house and if I had the money I would go weekly. Talk about putting someone in a great mood for hours. My skin is like silk, I smell great and I feel great for hours afterwards. The next day I still feel like a million bucks. Since going to see her I know I am not a huge fan of deep tissue but never have a complaint after leaving her (other than it will be too long before coming back). Her prices are very reasonable; she is very knowledgeable. If you want a great massage visit her now.

The yoga classes at JTB Wellness are wonderful. The studio inside is nicely appointed and the…read moreteachers are knowledgeable.