0/5 stars
This is the first review I have ever written but I felt the need to share it since I feel strongly about the how I was mistreated.
I signed up for the Thursday class at 7pm and looking forward to try a hot yoga class. After a 40 minute drive since it was the closest to my home location, I arrived 5 minutes late and I was blocked by a middle aged Caucasian man. He said I was 5 minutes late and I cannot enter the class, which I did not disagree with. Then he proceeded to bombard me with questions about; where I live, who I am, why I am here, my experience with yoga, why I don’t go somewhere else, but when it came to questions about; why I have a Groupon and why I don’t buy a membership then when the interrogation became inappropriate and borderline disrespectful. This man obviously had something against me; if it was my coupon, my lack of paid membership, gender or colour of my skin. I answered all his questions as he continued to make me feel uncomfortable for being in the Hot Yoga Studio. I asked him if I could sign the waiver to save time and he said no, and come back in an hour. I found it strange that he would not tell me to sit down in the small lounge and wait for the next class. I felt forced out of the studio and waited in the car for about 60 minutes. The extreme cold weather warning was lifted that morning but it was still cold. I returned back into the studio at 8:10pm and there was a young guy in front of me speaking to the same man. He was telling the young guy he should go somewhere else to another location for hot yoga. I didn’t think further, but though it was strange. I got up to the counter and the man just looked at me as if I shouldn’t be there and I was a stranger. I explained I was in earlier and was told to return for the 8:30pm class. He gave me the Waiver to complete which I handed back to him. The interrogation began again, he went through every letter I wrote and questioned me on it. Then he went behind his desk and said pay $5. I asked, what is the reason for the charge is since it’s not on the Groupon deal. I also added, I have never had to pay extra for any Groupon offers other than tax. He became very defensive and demanded his $5. I asked if he could explain the charge, and he replied, it’s for his register and he is the only one that charges for it. Basically take it or leave it and he does not have to explain further. I asked for a copy of my waiver and he refused. He said he does not have any means of copying it and when I said I can take a photo with my photo he became confused. By this time the negative energy and bullying was extremely uncomfortable. I agreed to get the money from the car and as I was leaving an instructor stopped me and asked me if everything was ok. I explained, the man is very rude and he is demanding $5 with no valid explanation. Then the man stuck his head into our conversation and shouted to me, ‘pay or get out!’ At that point, I did not want to attend the class and the man named: JACOB further proved to be bad-mannered and ignorant. It is a shame that he is the face of Hot Yoga Wellness with his bias and discourteous demeanour that should not be tolerated. In sum, Jacob successfully destroyed my energy and any peace or benefit I could achieve through Hot Yoga. I wasted my night on what should have been a relaxing centred experience through Yoga but had to deal with Jacob who promoted his prejudice. I would never recommend Hot Yoga Wellness or any affiliation with Jacob behind the desk. He truly brings down the name and reputation of Hot Yoga and its partners.
I have bought a few deals from Groupon and have always been pleased in the past, however with this experience I am very disappointed.