Recently there have been a lot of people reviewing studios and classes online. Studios are being judged for their esthetic and of course teachers, but it got me thinking. There are Hot yoga/pilates studios popping up on every corner these days. What is going to set them all a part from one another?
What’s most important to you when you are starting at a new gym or studio? Is it their pricing? The workout? The ‘esthetic’? It’s different person to person, I am sure. But I think people are missing very important aspects to the picture.
As someone who has participated as a student, a teacher, and a manager of a studio, here are the things I am looking for. When I am a student, does the desk greet me in a kind way? Do they seem like they enjoy their job? If I am a consitent student, do they remember my name? If I walk in to a studio and they just know who I am it makes me feel a part of a community. It makes me feel at home.
As a teacher and manager, my belief is when someone walks in to your studio they are sharing a part of their day with you & if they come back, they are choosing to stay. Yoga & pilates studios can become a safe space. You have no idea what someone is going through when they walk through your doors and there is not a bigger compliment than when someone chooses to spend their time and share their practice with you.
My favorite studios have been small hole in the walls with kind humans and kick ass yoga classes, that’s what I am looking for. I don’t care for the esthetic, the more grunge the better, and I don’t care to have a giant selfie area. But hell, is that the way it’s going?
I don’t judge if that’s what you are looking for, and I think that if you find a space that fits your lifestyle, makes you feel like you belong, and gives you a great workout - you should go!
We all get to choose for ourselves. Don’t write someone off based on someone else’s opinion and don’t get discouraged if you haven’t found your ‘place’ yet.
