Baptiste Power Yoga

I’ve been coming to Baptiste for 4 years. I have always bought 10 class packages. I went in today after a very busy work hiatus as well as a car accident, and was told that 6 out of the 10 classes I purchased expired 5 days ago.
Even after speaking with the owner, he refused to reinstate any of my classes and had no interest in why I hadn’t been attending classes.
Because of a policy they wouldn’t budge on, they lost a long standing client, I will not be returning. This is not the type of treatment I am used to there, seems like things have changed pretty drastically — no open arms here.

Finally! The studio is now owned by the two master instructors, Gregor and Claire. All the teachers are good, but if you really want to get killed, sign up for one of Gregor’s classes. Get there early because he’s very popular. This is a pretty no frills operation, so don’t expect showers and fresh towels. Expect to sweat, work really hard, and see results. I wish I could go everyday; there are plenty of Cambridge types who do.

I meant to write this for the BROOKLINE studio, not Cambridge! Whoops!
It pains me to only give this studio 3 stars. If I was writing this just one year ago, it would be a 5star easy. This was the studio that introduced me to yoga 4 years ago and changed my life. When I’m in town, I will still go, but definitely not as frequently as I used to. Here’s why:
–it’s under new ownership, and even though they are «master Baptiste teachers», they are the worst Baptiste teachers I’ve had. Before they bought the studio, they were only in Cambridge, but now they are in Brookline a lot, and to be honest I’ve only taken their class 4 times. But in all 4 of those classes, there was an emphasis on VERY UNTRADITIONAL and UNSAFE alignment, and they didn’t offer the correct alignment. I am NOT a fan of bending my back knee in virabhadrasana, I am NOT a fan of bending my elbows in Adho mukha, I am NOT a fan of doing hip thrusts in camatkarasana or anjaneyasana, I am NOT a fan of standing on my tiptoes in parvritta utkatasana. –1 star
–When I first heard they were taking over, I was actually excited, because it was clear that Baron had lost any interest in maintaining the studio. The studio was (and still is) falling apart. They claimed they were gunna make all these aesthetic changes, but they have not. The blinds at the front of the studio have been broken for almost a year! How long does it take to get new blinds?! When I first started going in 2012, it was pretty common to have 50 other sweaty yogis in every class I took. Now the numbers are more in the 20’s, and it’s no surprise considering all of the clean and new studios in the area. –1 star
–they changed the name to Divine Play, which is a commonly used Acro term, yet they offer no Acro? Not worth losing a star, but pretty dumb if you ask me.
After all that negative, there is still positive:
–Probably the best part is there is NEVER ANY MUSIC!!! I LOVE IT! Emphasis on breath and the practice! If I go to a studio and they play music, usually it means I won’t be back. +1 star
–Dear god I love the heat!!! Usually right around 95, and I love it. Keep it sweaty keep it loose! +1 star
–In my opinion, some of the best teachers in the city are still at this studio, and yogis know it. Go here at 4:30 on a Sunday, practice with Mark Finneran (and usually 2 great assistants in Marleena and Billy!) and 50 other yogis, and fall in love with Baptiste yoga. Other teachers who don’t make you do ridiculous alignment are Rachel, Nick, Samuel, and Paula. +1 star
Long story short: if you like heat, if you don’t mind a rundown studio, and you don’t end up with a teacher trying to reinvent yoga, then you will love this place!

I have attended yoga classes in many Boston area studios, and always return to Baptiste. The Cambridge location is hell to park and you need to bring eight quarters to feed the meter, but somehow it’s all with it.
The Brookline studio has a far more civilized parking situation, but you still need to feed the meter. I have gotten parking tickets at both locations. (due to not feeding the meter)
The studio is old, but not creepy old, old like your favorite worn sweatshirt. They have updated the important stuff.
Upon entering the studio a calm takes over. Even the creaky wooden floor is calming.
There is a real sense of community here. Most of the instructors rock. Two long-​time instructors recently bought the studios. Gregor and Claire are top notch, well seasoned instructors. They could hold their own along side any yoga teachers in the country, for real. That’s how good they are.
If you are a fitness buff, a dancer, cyclist, or a runner you will love these classes. They’re tough. They’re hot, like really hot. (not at hot as Bikram, but almost as hot) That said, it’s nothing a newbie can’t handle because the classes are designed for a student to go at his or her own pace. I often hang back and do my own thing. Lots of times I do not keep up with the class. I modify like mad. Baptiste is a pressure zone. There are lots of novices in all classes.
There is no music playing during classes, no mirrors on the walls, just the instructor’s soothing voice. For the most part the instructor doesn’t perform a visual of the poses. You find your way by following the dozens of veteran students who are in the class. Believe me, it all falls into place. The classes are big. To me, I’d guess 40 – 45 people? People feed off the group’s positive energy.
Pleases don’t be scared away by my previous comments! The poses are mainstream, we all know downward dog! No worries that they will throw in mystery poses. If you have dabbled in yoga even just a bit, you will recognize these poses. If I can do it, you can, too.
My first visit 11years ago was to soothe my aching lower back. Yoga was instrumental with getting me vertical again.
If you wants showers, don’t take classes here. I wish they had a hair dryer or two just so I could quickly dry off the back of my head before going soaking wet out into the winter air.
All in all, this place offers a unique feel and experience that I have not and probably will not ever find anywhere else in Massachusetts. There is not your average yoga experience. It’s special. The experience evokes an intangible that I cannot quite put into words. When you finish class you get a high that feels like you can conquer the world.
My advice, just go. You’ll fall in love.

I really loved Baptiste Power Yoga. I did the introductory month for only $ 49 and was so pleased with it. If I hadn’t been moving out of Cambridge, I would have definitely signed up for more months.
I have practiced yoga since I was a child and really love hot vinyasa styles. Baptiste was the best place I went to in the Boston area. Compared to studios like Core Power Yoga, Baptiste focuses on the yoga. This may sound silly, but so many yoga studios are about being trendy these days and often lose sight of the actual practice. The instructors are also very friendly and are easy to talk to. The studio is also nice with lots of natural light, but it could use some renovation.
I will say that I didn’t rent any of the mats or use the shower, so I can’t comment too much on those. Still I highly recommend Baptiste!

This place is full of people up to great work.
Definitely give yourself a couple of classes before you decide if this is the right studio for you. The heat and style may take some getting used to, but I’ve fallen in love.
The teachers here leave ego at the door and teach masterful classes, guiding their students through empowering and transformative flow. The teachers have a highly advanced understanding of anatomy that allows them to push students deeper in their own practice. The teaching also generates shift off of the mat by incorporating yoga philosophy into the classes in an extremely accessible and thoughtful manner. Just listen and respond and you’ll come out feeling strong and clear. I really love every class here. Gregor is especially wonderful. His classes are magical – give one a try!
The front desk staff is kind and knowledgeable too! Thank you Baptiste Cambridge!

I don’t know why this studio doesn’t have a higher average review. This is by far the best studio I’ve been to in the Boston area. The quality of the teachers is unmatched anywhere else. Every time I go to class here, I learn something, and lately have been having a lot of «breakthrough» moments even after 3 yrs of regular practice. The teachers have a depth of knowledge that really comes through — they are not just talking you through choreography. Across the board, they understand how the body works and how yoga can heal and strengthen if you do it right — not any certain way, but the way that is right for you. They’ve also really contributed to the «spiritual» nature of my practice… I used to just practice for the workout, but I have come a long way through my time at Baptiste. The sense of community is strong too. Yes, the studio is small, but fancier studios don’t always have better quality classes (in this case, they definitely do not, in my experience).

Great heated studio… really needs an upgrade. The floors and carpets are super grungy… basically dirty. Bathrooms need some upgrading as well. It’s not a luxury
studio by any means… but the teaching is solid. paticularly Rachel, Gregor, Samuel,
or Claire… stellar teachers with lots of experience.

I had heard great things about the instructors at Baptiste Yoga in Cambridge, but the classes definitely aren’t worth the dirty studio.
I rented a mat for $ 4, and I was told that the cost was to cover the regular laundering of the equipment. However once the class began, I noticed the mat was crawling with small ants. I brought the mat back to the front desk, where I was informed that «we’d just grabbed a bunch of old mats from the basement» as an explanation for the ant infestation. They told me to grab another mat from the same pile and to «shake this one out first.»
I was not offered a refund for the mat nor an apology. The rest of the studio was far less clean than other yoga studios in the Cambridge /​Boston area, but this incident really was egregious. I would strongly recommend not visiting this yoga studio.

One of my top 3 favorite yoga studios. The instructors are great. I love hot yoga and Baptiste yoga never disappointments. The only negative is difficult parking

This is hands down my favorite studio in the city and I have been coming here for about 5 years. The instructors are great and have a good balance of providing instruction wiithout constantly talking just to fill the silence. In addition, it’s a great community of people that practice here on a regular basis. The classes are 1.5 hours which makes them a great value for the cost and they actually leave enough time at the end for final rest unlike a lot of other studios. I lived in Colorado for 2 years and this yoga studio still hold the top spot for me despite having been to a bunch of acclaimed studios in Denver. I really enjoy both locations with no real preference. The sunday 4:30pm class is very crowded but other than that you can usually get a spot without having to be sweating on someone else. My favorite teachers are Mark, Sam, Samantha, & Rachel. Ok — on my way to class now which you should join in!

Claire is back– and given that, so am I! The studio was renovated (design wise its very well done but no new floor?!) and the HVAC was too, much needed.

This place would get 4 stars if they didnt charge both my boyfriend and I $ 4 EACH for rental mats (that were literally falling apart and left little mat remnants all over my body… gross!) when we forgot our yoga mats. That being said…
I have been here multiple times and the staff is very friendly and well-​educated. I love the all-​levels vinyasa (hot yoga), and the instructors are good at modifying poses for people doing them with incorrect alignment.
HOWEVER, once I went to a Relax and Renew class and found that it was mostly breathing exercises and wasn’t much of a workout. It also wasn’t heated yoga, which I was not aware of before I took the class (& after I paid for it). I really feel like I wasted my money and thought I would be getting a workout (AND A HEATED SWEAT SESSION). Also, the class description is no where on the website. Disappointing.
All in all, I would say the all-​level vinyasa is totally worth your while. Don’t waste your time/​money going to classes you’re unsure of.
ALSO, (point of information) avoid heated yoga while pregnant unless you have been doing it for a long time AND regularly! My OB said pre-​natal yoga is a much better (& safer for baby!) option!

Let’s just get this out there: I’m a native Floridian. Been up here for the better part of a decade, and I correctly pronounce the name of every city and town in the Commonwealth, but I still have Sunshine State traits that will never fade.
I smile at strangers, and hold doors open. I have no discernible accent, of any kind, and there is always sun tea in my fridge. Perhaps above all else, I love to sweat.
So when Jason J invited me to experience the 90+ degree Baron Baptiste approach to power vinyasa, I was all «Yessuh.»
Threw the dice for a one-​month unlimited pass, $ 50 for new students. Makes sense — if I couldn’t commit to three classes in a month (drop in price is $ 16), then I wouldn’t have felt I’d given it a fair shake. Plus, if you dig it, you can go to AWLOVTHECLASSES. Economics.
Parking is a pain — it’s mostly residential, with very few metered spots absorbed by your very densely packed classmates. More on that in a second. If you must drive, gamble on the Porter Square Shaw’s lot. Hide your mat in a reusable grocery tote and fake a fly-​by to throw off the tow dogs. Scam artist.
Here’s what you need: water (or at least a 1L bottle to fill at the bubbler there), a mat and a towel. If you’re not rolling out a terry cloth yoga mat, bring a supplemental towel. Standard mats get slick! Avail to rent, just in case you’re reading this like an instructional and are currently at the studio wondering what’s next. Blocks and straps are free to use inside the practice.
A quick name check at the front desk, shoes and cell phone drop off in the lobby cubbies and the magic happens! You’re asses-​to-​elbows with old men, toned co-​eds and what you swear to be a sasquatch in a headband, zipping through poses in a high humidity, low ventilation kiln for 90 minutes. Only done classes with Rachael, and I can say she balances the hippy-​dippy alignment/​oneness speak with positive instruction and boundary-​pushing guidance. Kristen is a great assistant, making sure my downward dog stays downward, dog.
Shirt is drenched, body is shaking and you’re apt to fall asleep during savasana (the cool down period). The important part: you feel great, and you probably just fired off 400 – 500 calories. As with any workout, know your limits and respond to pain — bad technique can leave you twisted and wrecked. And if the thought of possibly connecting with another human’s expelled moisture throws you in to a tizzy, then 1) avoid Baptiste, and 2) avoid all forms of public transportation.

Really like this studio. The teachers are nice and it has turned me onto an exercising experience that I actually enjoy and also works on my mind as well as body. Heavy I know…
The cons:
Because its so hot when it gets crowded its uncomfortable and smelly and you don’t have the space to truly practice.
It’s also expensive, I can probably get 3 months at a decent — good gym (w/​out pool) for unlimited month of yoga.
They do single classes and the first month is ultra-​cheap so worth a try in my mind.

Overall, my go-​to place for yoga. I love hot vinyasa flow yoga with challenging movements that push you to focus on your breath and open your mind. I’ve tried a lot of yoga classes in the Boston area, and feel that Baptiste yoga is the most ‘authentic’ and challenging.
The room is heated to 80 degrees with high humidity, so I usually SWEAT A LOT. I highly recommend bringing a yoga towel for your mat, and towel to wipe your face/​body. Blocks and straps are available to use for free. Mats and towels can be rented for a fee.
Cons: It is crowded (room gets filled quickly mat-​to-​mat). I usually go on evenings after work or on Sunday, which tend to be their busier times. Classes are also somewhat pricey ($ 16/​class), however, beginners /​first-​timers can pay $ 40 for a month of unlimited classes.
I would give this place 5 stars, if not for the crowded classes and price. However, compared to other yoga studios, this is the best in the area by far!

You many wonder what possesses people to voluntarily cram into a hot room and work out (read sweat) in close proximity to each other. The detox feeling post one session of Baptiste Yoga will give you the answer! The pace was of the class was quick and it is definitely a good workout. There is a decent mix of first timers and experienced people and I felt comfortable going at my intermediate pace.
The only negative was the lack of a shower/​changing room. Also, avoid the the 6pm class at all costs it is way more crowded and you are definitely better off going either earlier or later.

As an intermediate Yoga practitioner (I’ve been doing yoga for about 2 years now) I really recommend baptiste! The instructors are friendly and professional, the assistants are really helpful, and the studio is clean and welcoming. I especially love Rachel, who has a gentle but firm instructional style with no fluff, and Dennis, one of the assistants. Dennis has an amazing ability to gently adjust your posture in what seems like a subtle and even minor way, but which increases your effort and stretch 2x or more.
Be warned: this is a hot power yoga studio, so it gets to ~95 degrees Fahrenheit in the room, with nearly 100% humidity. Drink lots and lots of water (multiple liters, at least), or you will almost certainly feel ill. The good news is that there is no pressure to do all of the postures, and I always feel comfortable taking child’s pose if I need a break.
Baptiste has blocks and straps that you can borrow for free. Mat and towel rental costs money, so I recommend bringing your own, especially if you are a clean freak like me! If you haven’t invested in a yoga towel, I suggest doing so. You are going to sweat A LOT and if you’re like me that means a towel is mandatory.
Downsides: not many. Sometimes the instructors are a bit asinine with their new-​agey commentary, but I think that is par for the course at most Yoga studios. As an aside, I am a regular meditator and a student of Buddhism, so I have no problem whatsoever with intelligent discourse about mindfulness. But they are not entirely consistent in that regard.
Prices: they are not cheap, but not outrageous, given that most classes are 90 minutes. If you are a student, ask about their student prices. Also, if it is your first time, you can buy a $ 50 unlimited 1-​month membership. The only downside is that you get super spoiled by unlimited yoga and then price more than doubles. Worth it!

Overall, I really like this place. Very friendly, very efficient environment that offers some great sessions. However, two grievances I do have are:
1.) Instruction varies from instructor to instructor. I often find only about a third of the classes I go to are engaging AND relaxing, with the other two-​thirds usually falling on one end or the other of that spectrum. Personally, it’s extremely infuriating and completely unenjoyable when an instructor is being a distraction or is tone-​deaf to the needs of the class. Fine line to walk, I know.
2.) This place occasionally gets some crazies. From people who are practicing in their underwear (As in boxers or a nighty) to people making an obscene amount of noise, it’s something that needs to be cracked down on and isn’t.
Again, this is a good place for hot yoga with the same problems that exist at ANY studio, but it would be a GREAT place if they could just rise above these issues.

You know, it pains me not to give this place a perfect score but I do miss my Brandon (old teacher who left in 2008 I believe). The teachers that are fantastic are: Brandon, Baron (duh), and Gregor. I have yet to drop 13 dollars student rate on another teacher (haven’t really loved anyone too much) but I adore GREGOR’S CLASS!!!
This place has made it’s prices go up which I hate but now that I am a student at Tufts again it’s a little bit more reasonable. There is also community class rates on Wednesday afternoons. Overall, I love the Coconut Water options they sell now (although pricey again) and they are always giving a wonderful 1.5 hour class that is a WORK OUT!!!
I’d say go here if you:
–Want a good, hard yoga class
–LOVE to sweat
–Like teachers who talk about «life/​spirit» but also are into the athletic aspects of yoga
–Don’t mind crowded classes that make for better energy (I LOVE when there are 50 + students in the room personally).
Go. You won’t regret it. It is worth the $ even if you do it not so often.
Lastly, go to Brandon’s classes when he visits from North Hampton, MA…