I look on the mindbody app when I'm traveling to find yoga classes and whatnot. This studio was…read moreminutes from my hotel, had easy parking and I could walk through the cute downtown after for coffee and brunch. I took two different classes of different styles and really enjoyed them both. The studio was quite a bit smaller than I'm used to so I had to take care not to whack a neighbor, and the use of a microphone (especially in such a small space) threw me off. I loved the tunes on the playlists - I can never get through a silent class (I actually actively avoid them). The instructors were were respectful of those not wanting any hands-on corrections and the encouragement and energy was palpable. The bathroom was really big and had several showers available, which I made use of the second morning to save time. And the instructors were kind enough to direct me to amazing coffee and brunch both mornings - much appreciated! I wanna go where the locals go! I'd definitely take class her again. Very enjoyable.

I took a class that in the description said gentle yoga. I have done yoga for a long time. I was…read moreexpecting a "gentle" yoga experience focusing on balance and strength as the description said. Nope. It was super loud electronica type music and high energy fast moves, like you would expect an aerobics class to be. No holding poses, not one down dog. No cool down where you lay on the mat with soothing music. This is NOT yoga. Should have advertised it that way. Waste of my money. Will not go back. The traditional classes, which are few, are only hot yoga.

Hi I would like to address Sandy H of the JUNE 30, 2025 review of the Silent Meditation Retreat. In…read moreit she headed it with: "it's Cult, STAY AWAY". LOL She also stated "...we noticed a level of unquestioning reverence for the AOL founder that felt more like cultish devotion than the pursuit of wisdom". And "...In our view, AOL does not represent a genuine path toward spiritual growth. For those seeking meaningful insight, authors like Alan Watts..." etc. I've been on this spiritual path for 50 years! yeah forever! hahahha - and I love Alan Watts and Ramana Maharishi and some of the other great Advaita teachers and lectures. And after 30 years of meditation and even teaching meditation, I also took the "Silent Retreat Course" several time and frankly - IT CHANGED MY LIFE. I FINALLY GOT WHAT SILENCE ACTUALLY MEANT. As far as it being a cult - Well everything can be considered a cult if one is devoted to it. Have you every been to one of those "Krishna Das cults" hahahahha? I live here on the mountain near the Retreat Center, I'm not a teacher nor a "cult member" lol. I'm just happy here with the knowledge I've gained here at the retreats. As far a Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the founder is concerned - Yes, he's my Guru, so was my mother. But the beauty of Sri Sri was that he (by example) showed me what SILENCE REALLY MEANT. So I would encourage people who want to come here to this beautiful retreat to remember that the PURPOSE of words, critical thinking, spiritual discourse is Silence and rejoicing in your own Being. Conversation is nice, interesting But the revelation of Silence is inner peace and true wisdom. (in my humble opinion :D ) and for sure my dogs love it here too! :D

I am writing this because I would not want another traveler to experience what happened to me…read more On April 13, 2026, I booked a weekend retreat at the Art of Living Wellness Retreat Center in Boone, NC--approximately 350 miles from my home. I received an immediate confirmation and was charged $1,594 in full. During the week of the retreat, I received no pre-retreat information. I emailed three times and received no response. I then called twice with basic questions about what to bring. On both calls, staff took my name and answered my questions. Not once was I told the retreat had been cancelled. So I drove approximately seven hours to the center. When I arrived, the registration employee could not find my reservation. I offered to show her my confirmation email, but she declined. She asked me to wait, then disappeared from the reception area. About five minutes later, the manager, Christy, came to the desk. She told me the retreat had been cancelled on June 24 because of low enrollment. I was stunned. I had just driven seven hours to attend a retreat I had paid $1,594 for. Her response was that there had been "no other way". I asked why no one had successfully notified me. She said the reservation notes indicated that a voicemail had been left for me on August 1. No voicemail ever reached me. I reminded her that I had spoken with staff twice during the week immediately before the retreat, and neither person mentioned the cancellation. The only immediate alternative offered was to sell me a room and a meal for the night. As I stood there trying to process what had just happened, another employee walked by and said, in what I felt was a remarkably dismissive tone, "Everything will work out." I left and began the seven-hour drive home. After I regained cell service, I received a voicemail from Christy. I expected an apology--for the wasted trip, the expense, and the fact that I had been allowed to drive 350 miles to a cancelled retreat without being told. Instead, she maintained that the center had sent two emails I never received and continued to insist that the situation had been handled appropriately. I understand that retreats can be cancelled because of low enrollment. What I cannot understand is cancelling a retreat, waiting weeks to notify paid participants, then speaking with a customer twice in the week before the retreat without mentioning the cancellation--and ultimately allowing that customer to drive seven hours to the facility before learning the truth. This was not simply an inconvenience. It was deeply upsetting and, in my view, completely avoidable. At a minimum, I believe I deserved a sincere apology.

I recently discovered the beautiful space upstairs that holds a yoga studio and restaurant called…read moreRooted. I plan to go to a class soon. While reading previous reviews, I found one where the author found fault with the business because the owner wasn't especially excited about giving out yet another freebie to a solicitor. Having owned and operated a business for 18 years, I can tell you the amount of people who just walked into my small business asking for free stuff to auction or give away was overwhelming. None of them understood how difficult it is to make ends meet, they just assumed it was easy. Most had no prior appointment, they just showed up and lots of times I was too busy but had to put down my work to attend to them. I was always generous. But for my business to survive, I needed to protect it. It's like you start off with a fluff of cotton but little by little tufts get pulled off until after so many years go by, there is a dwindled down fluff- don't be mindful and soon nothing will be left. Now, in my opinion, being a yogini and being a business woman is not at odds with each other. In fact, having a business that is providing such a useful service to the community calls for even more protective measures. It is part of being able to continue to bring spiritual guidance and physical health to Boone. That is a big responsibility! If the owner didn't handle the request skillfully, perhaps she was tired and overwhelmed. Teachers are human too. They can have bad days and maybe on that day the solicitor was the one straw too many. That the previous reviewer states they'll never go back because they were dismissed and chose to do harm by leaving a bad review tells me they weren't there for the yoga. They were there to feel good about themselves being a do- gooder. Maybe check up on yourself.

Beautiful atmosphere great teacher really enjoyed my classes there. They run a beautiful operation.read more

I have been to many wonderful yoga sessions here! The instructors are all kind and talented, and…read morethe classes are very affordable.

Yes, check it out. That's in case if you wondering if you should go or not. I was visiting from…read moreout of town and was glad that I dropped in. They were friendly as soon as I stepped inside. Since I was visiting from out of town I was able to borrow one of their many mats. The class was great, easy to follow along and our instructor was patient yet supportive. I highly recommend High Country Yoga.

Lifestyles Fitness is the BEST gym in the Tricities. The equipment is state of the art and spaced…read moreout so members have room to move. There are mirror's on the wall because any professional gym knows that technique is important. Trainers are very knowledgeable, staff is friendly and professional. The gym is always kept clean and smelling fresh. You really can't beat having a great workout then walking outside to a beautiful pool. Lifestyles is the place to be!

Not sure which fitness center that previous reviewer attended but it doesn't ring true with my…read moreexperience at The Bristol center. Have a large assortment of working equipment in addition to free weights and multiple universal machines. Never very crowded so not any problems with getting a good workout.

I have been practicing since 1980. I have done Bikram, Hot yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yin Yang,…read more Kundalini. ... Crystal's alignment techniques and skills to lead our group were remarkable. This is hands down the best practice I have experienced in my lifetime of doing Yoga and trying different techniques. I cannot wait to get back to Johnson City for more Crystal .

From the owner: "I work daily with individuals that are interested in promoting good health. It is through the…read morepromotion of yoga in my community and throughout the Tri-Cities area that I gain much satisfaction." Crystal Gray, E-RYT 500, YACEP (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider) "Crystal Gray has been teaching for over 2 decades and holds 4 teaching certifications. These certifications include -200 Hour Yoga Teaching Certification from Kudzu Yoga (2005) -Relax and Renew Certification from Judith Lasiter (2006) -500 Hour Yoga Teaching Certification from LightenUp Yoga (2011) -Yoga for Osteoporosis from Dr. Loren Fishman & Ellen Saltonstall (2017) In the over 22 years of teaching, she has taught over 3,800 hours of yoga classes and over 800 students. She also meets the qualifications to teach other yoga instructors."