YogaWorks Studio City

The Yoga Works in Studio City is everything that could be wrong with a yoga studio. The teachers are newly trained aspiring actors, the office staff is two distracted guys who have no clue how to work with clients, and the classes themselves are so packed, and so unbelievably fast and hurried that you spend the whole time just trying to catch up and trying to avoid your neighbor’s toe lodging itself inside your nose.
FOR EXAMPLE, At Yoga Works Studio City, I had asked if they had an instructor who specialized in fertility yoga, and if I could schedule private sessions. They said they have one of the best fertility yoga teachers, and would schedule. A hefty chunk of cash later, I meet with the teacher, who has a list of poses written down on a SCRIPT SHEET, and one of the first questions she asks me is «when you say IVF, what exactly do you mean?» not a fair question, IVF is a pretty standard phrase in the fertility (and real) world. If she’s an expert why does she need to ask this? She would ask me to do these upside positions, which you can’t do when you’ve undergoing fertility treatments, because your ovaries can flip (seriously, it’s a thing.) Needless to say, I was very disappointed, and called management. They apologized (kept the money I paid for the session with the most useless instructor ever) and they scheduled me with Rebecca Benenati, who was amazing and phenomenal, but still.
Regardless, I still tried classes here two more times after the private session debacle, and it was just silly. When I went back, I contacted the office to ask about a class, and was told to come right on in. when I went back for a regular class (not fertility related) the guy at the front desk (who I had literally had 2 conversations with in my life) actually said something like «oh, how did the fertility treatments go for you? mind if I ask how much they cost because my girlfriend wants to start treatments and I don’t know if I want to.» LOUDLY enough for EVERYONE standing around in the studio to hear, and, by the way, none of your fucking business, jerk. If I don’t look like i“m pushing a baby out as we speak, then this topic is really none of your business. When it comes to fertility, and working with clients, you have to have tact, and discretion. This place has ounces of it, if any.
Anyways, on to the classes. If you’ve ever seen those scenes in movies with the cheesy, smarmy yoga instructor guy walking around in pants which really shouldn’t be worn in public, and only «correcting» the students who happen to be between 18 – 22 years of age, with that weird, fake yogi voice and cooing, then you’ve been to YogaWorks in Studio City. The teacher I took classes form actually wore pants that looked like he had a codpiece on? I couldn’t look, I just looked down at the ground and pushed through the class until it was over.
needless to say, I should have taken the first 3 signs that this place is hack and just walked away, I finally got it after my 5^th class there. The teachers (with the exception of Rebecca Benenati) teach with too much ego, and not enough knowledge. The office staff is… well…a joke. and the facility usually has something out of order.
save yourself the time and money you would be wasting here and find somewhere else.

I love coming for prenatal yoga! I’ve been coming since I was about 20 weeks and I’m about to be 34 weeks! Time went by fast and Rebecca has been an awesome instructor! Lots of good breathing and exercises that will be good for labor!

They Didn’t explain the subscription conditions well to me; and debited from my account every month when I was not aware of it and when I was not even using their services

Last month my friend gave me a 7 day free pass to try the classes.
I was not really interested in buying a monthly membership but Joshua said there was a $ 50 special for the month and I could use it, and if I didn’t like it
I had 7 days to cancel.
So I paid the $ 50 taking his word and then I was not really digging the classes, plus I“m in the process of moving so I didn’t really know if that particular studio
was even going to work for me. I cancelled with him over the phone and I thought that was processed but I never got a confirmation in my email like he said I was going to get or any money back.
Anyway, I called and I spoke with the studio manager Dana to cancel my membership and she said that the cancelation policy was 5 days.
I explained to her that Joshua told me 7 days so that was what I was counting on.
The conversation became a bit hostile, she said that Joshua gave her another story, which I was very surprised and disappointed, since I only signed up based on the 7 day free trial and took his word that I will be able cancel in 7 days.
I told her that was a bit shady to try to sell memberships and tell people seven days when is really 5, she got upset about it, and said that she will do it for this one time, like it was a favor she was doing, crazy.
I got a confirmation email but never got my $ 50 back. I called her left her messages and nothing. Its been over three weeks.
I’ve been trying to hold on my one star Unilocal review because I was giving her a chance to do the right thing.
Interesting enough I spoke in person to Joshua last Tuesday and he said he told Dana that he has told me 7 days because he thought it was ok, but apparently he was wrong, and he was going to follow up, and was very sorry. As of today, I have not herd back. I called back today and the receptionist said she was going to follow up.
Is funny to me that people that are running these kind of places call themselves «spiritual» and they run a business like this. Thanks to Unilocal Mike L the manager contacted me and told me the refund was in process, and it came through. But what an ordeal for such a simple thing. I will say don’t sign a contract and try one of the other studios. This one sucks.

I appreciate that there are a variety of class types/​levels each day and a lot of classes offered. They also offer TRX a couple times a week, and I love that! It works well for my flexible schedule.
Friendly staff, most of the yogis are great, and their facilities are clean. They have multiple restrooms, nice changing rooms, and more than enough shoe and bag cubbies.
Some downsides: Occasionally, walking into a class a room smells of body oder really terribly from the class before, and some yogis don’t like having the AC or fans on, which I am not okay with. Parking can be a hassle.

I am so disappointed. After sitting In traffic for an hour to get to this studio after work, I walked in exactly at 5:10pm. Class started at 5. I know that have a 10minute cutoff so I thought I was good. The girl at the front desk was not only rude but said I couldn’t go into the class. She wasn’t apologetic or helpful, just plain didn’t care. I was shocked! Every other Yogaworks I’ve been to (which is a lot) as long as your there by the 10min cut off you’re fine. I would understand if I was 15mins late, but it was 10; meaning I am within the cutoff. I can’t believe this, for the amount of money I pay to be a member this is just unacceptable. You have to work with people that you want as members not treat them like outsiders. I then had to drive another hour home. Awful customer service, awful staff. Makes me not want to be a member anymore. Studio City YW, you give Yogaworks a bad name.

First two weeks are free unlimited sessions. If you need a mat or yoga clothes they have a store inside. There is a variety of beginners courses, as well as advanced. Also, Pilates classes but I have not tried those. Good vibe. Very good instructors. They are also open much later than most places which is very useful. Walk ins are welcome. They meditate as well as doing the poses. I’ve only had positive experiences.

I’ve been going to this studio for awhile and this review is long overdue. I absolutely love this place. And what makes this studio is the teachers!
I love Jeremy. He has a wonderful approach to his classes and is mindful of the body. He’s one of my favorite teachers. Love his Friday night restorative class (always leave feeling wonderful) and night vinyasa classes.
My absolute favorite is Juliet. She teaches barworks (which is so fun, I always leave with a smile), sculptworks (never thought I would try it but now am obsessed), and vinyasa (I wish she had more yoga classes, she’s the only teacher that has ever broke down a pose and explained an arm balance so I could do it). She needs more yoga classes there.
I also like Klara’s class. I try to take her on Sunday. Anthony is also great.
Holly is the new barworks teacher that took over for Demian. She teaches a good class, hard.
Management is wonderful at this location as well. I know they have had a few managers through the years, but Kris does a great job.
Thank you Yogaworks!

I had heard of this studio being very popular on the westside. So I tried it out for the restorative class on Sunday with Jeremy. It was such a great experience! I felt completely relaxed and refreshed afterward. He was very welcoming and asked if anyone had any injuries. Jeremy and his assistant would come over and adjust me on almost every pose. This was great since I am a beginner. I can’t wait to try more classes here.

Instructors r professional and nice. The environment is clean and comfy.
The instructors won’t force you, nobody yells at you: give me ten more!
You do it with your own pace. It’s all good.
Like here, strongly recommend.

Minus one star for parking and being located just off busy Ventura blvd. but other than that, this location isn’t bad.
It doesn’t have huge windows and isn’t really the biggest of studios but the classes are good and challenging.
I came with a groupon deal and never felt I was pushed to join or buy a package.
I also love their sculpt works classes!

After last month’s ordeal I thought that this had all been taken care of. I told the guy to cancel and delete my account and remove my credit card information from their system. Apparently none of this had been done. And I had been uninformed that to cancel an account it takes 2 freakin months? I’m sorry but what? Woke up with yet ANOTHER $ 80 charge to my account. Literally hate yogaworks. HATE.

I never leave negative reviews but my patience has run out with Yogaworks.
Beware this review is not necessarily for the studio city studio but for the corporation. I tried yogaworks about one year ago and I attended for one month. The classes were good and the teachers were nice and friendly but it just wasn’t a match.
When I signed up they offered me a month free in addition to the month I paid for. I made sure to explain if have to cancel the membership at the end of June since I’d be gone for a good part of the summer. I have to say that yogaworks is no different from all the sleazy, corporate gyms out there when it comes to canceling your membership. Although they did stop processing my monthly payments, they keep deducting $ 5 every month for some «online» service I never use. Every time I’ve called they defer me to the website to deactivate my account. Sounds simple, right? Not only does it not recognize my username and password it also tells me my account doesn’t exist. This has been going around in circles for almost a year. Consider yourself warned!

Been going to the studio for a few months, and have to say — I love it!
The front desk staff are always very friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere is really nice. As I like more physically challenging classes, I know every time I go it ain’t going be a gentle ride. yet, when you come in, the staff/​atmosphere makes you feel so welcome and relaxed, you remember the «not gentle ride» part only when you find yourself 10 – 15 minutes into the class.
Went to quite a few different classes to try out what I like the most, so had about 6 different teachers. Everyone has different styles, but all were great experiences. So I was really in a position to pick the style and classes I like best (rather than the «I like this class, but not the teacher, so I have to stay away» situation).
From the not so good things — from what I understand, it’s a smaller studio, so not as many very early morning /​late night classes, and you have to do valet parking if you can’t find a spot on the street (or don’t want to pay for it)… that would be the only «not good» things I can think of. :)

Couldn’t even try it out. Came in to try it out since yoga studios in our area suck, and because we didn’t live within the 15 mile radius, we couldn’t take class. They said we needed to be within the 15 mile radius to do their free week offer and we drove from Claremont which is about an hour drive. They didn’t even offer just the one class we wanted to try or any discounted class or anything at all actually. Went to the tarzana location, they didn’t even have to see our ID and let us fill out the waiver forms and we took class easily and still got a free week too! Don’t know why they wouldn’t allow us at this location when they are both Yogaworks! Doesn’t make any sense. Even though it’s a further drive for us, at least it’s more worth it and there are more classes at Tarzana too! :)

Although there are some excellent teachers, the classes are extremely limited for such a high monthly fee. And to make matters worse anytime we can go, it seems our least favorite instructor is teaching.
Someone needs to check in on the instructors, although most are excellent.
However, the most lacking element here is that there is no sense of service or specialness. It’s presented as a thoughtful neighborhood studio –but in the end feels like a self serve Laundromat. All this for almost $ 100 a month. Bring in service, offer a per class fee option and clean the floors and blankets more often, extend the classes… Never mind this management could care less.

Hey Yogaworks!
How about you stop ripping people off with your automatic
subscription? Stop scamming loyal customers.
Buyer beware. If you don’t read the fine print of the contract, they automatically enroll you in online courses for 5 bucks per month. Even after you cancel your membership, they still charge you. Somehow it is tied together when you sign up but not when you cancel. Total rip-​off scam!
Yogaworks, now you take the money you stole from me and pay Unilocal to remove this negative review.

Bought a month-​long Groupon to try this place out. After every class my name was on a board in the back of the classroom asking me to see the front desk. The woman just wanted to know if I was going to buy a membership. The first time I politely said I would think about it, the second time I was a little annoyed — and then I just ignored the sign.
They also called and emailed me several times a week to ask the same thing.
Yoga is supposed to be relaxing. All this place did was stress me out with their extremely aggressive marketing techniques. The classes themselves were not my style of yoga — even if they weren’t badgering me I would not have purchased a membership.

Just finished my free week trial here and really wasn’t thrilled. I understand why it could be a good experience for others, but I wanted to share why it wasn’t the best fit for my practice.
I feel like YogaWorks takes a very sterile and economic approach to yoga. The classes are mostly less than an hour, and I feel like despite the different class offerings, it’s all just business. Very hard to get spiritual in! There were also calls and emails multiple times during the week… I really would have preferred a more hands-​off approach to letting me test the waters. Parking is also irritating at this location… street parking is far and sparse, or valet. Pick your poison.
All that said, the studios are very clean and they have complimentary water and tea. They also offer bar classes and TRX. I took a good Hatha class with Ashley C, which I would recommend to others. I met multiple people there who had never practiced before and really liked the vibe of the studio, but I finished my week irked and not into it.

I wanted to like this studio. The price is ok. I was paying $ 75/​month and I got all of March free with my last month free. Most of the teachers are great too. Juliet was awesome, Eduardo was great and full of energy in his sculptworks class and Becky in the «TRX» class is amazing. I put TRX in quotes because it’s not a true TRX class. They only have 12 bands and one class a day, so it fills up. Poor Becky is left scrambling to figure out how to accommodate everyone. Thus we get a circuit class instead with TRX, resistance bands and floor work.
Things I didn’t like:
1. The manager, Regan is a dictator. No one told me kids weren’t allowed when i signed up. I mean, it’s yoga, c’mon. They promised I could bring someone with me for the first 30 days for free. I brought my neice. She’s 12 and plays tennis like it’s her career. Nope, no kids — even though their forms allow for minors. Why? Regan hates kids. Simple. There’s no written policy, it’s a spoken policy.
I let that go. Fine, no kids. Weird and unfriendly, but fine. Regan showed her true colors when I brought my friend, an adult, with me to TRX. My friend wasn’t from the area the Studio City location serves, so Regan made a new rule! No out of area guests. She charged my friend $ 22 and was rude to her the entire time. How dare I expose someone to yoga based on what I paid for? Why not do me, a paying customer, a courtesy and ask me to respect the rule in the future? This in and of itself was enough for me to quit.
2. All the yoga is the same. They have all sorts of class with fancy names and level numbers, but all the yoga is exactly the same. Same poses, same technique, same everything. They call it vinyasa flow, or hatha yoga, or Iyengar, but somehow all the poses are exactly the same. The tempo is the same except Iyengar, which is much much slower.
3. Not enough actual fitness classes. They have one TRX class a day either at 6:15 pm or 6 am. They have the sculptworks class on Tues and Thurs at 7pm. That’s it. They threaten to add more classes next month. I’ll see.
So yes, I quit, though under my contract I get to keep coming until the end of May. Maybe things will change. Maybe the policies will be more clear and friendly in the future. I doubt it. They focus more on bringing people in and getting people to sign up. They don’t really care about making their current members happy or keeping them. When I quit, no one even asked why.