Hot Yoga Houston — Attraction in Houston

The class: As far as Bikram yoga goes the class is good. I feel you get a really good workout and should come out feeling relaxed and like you have accomplished something. I have been to several different hot yoga studios and have learned different things from different instructors. For example, I use a small rag during class to either wipe my hands or hold my ankle during Standing Bow Pose. Apparently, this is a big no-no with Bikram. Its ok to use your towel during Rabbit Pose but not this pose. Hmmm? Not sure why that it but apparently at this studio the rag is not allowed. Bikram says using towels are optional.

The studio: Its small but welcoming. I like the benches in the hallway you can sit and chat before and after class. It makes it a bit more social. I wish they would have everyone take their shoes off at the front door rather have everyone walk around the hall and locker room with their dirty shoes on. The locker rooms are small. It would be nice if it was more user friendly since you are so sweaty after class. There is really no great place to put your bag.

The instructors: The instructors know the poses well and are great at explaining how you should be doing them and what you should be feeling. Bikram has his 'rules' and the instructors are not shy about calling you by name in the class and telling you not to do something. Some require you to take a sip of water only when they say to (although Bikram suggests certain times but says to drink as needed). If you know their rules and/or don't mind getting reprimanded then this is the class for you.

The smell: The room smells awful! There is carpet on the floor and I don't think it is cleaned very often. Its a very distinctive moldy, smelly feet smell and I put Tiger Balm (like Menthol cream) in my nostrils before class to mask the smell. I hope I haven't caught some awful disease there. Only time will tell. I have never ever been to a yoga studio that smelled. This one is the first...and the last.

The bottom line: I am not going back. I wish I would have had the option to try a class first but I paid for a 10 class card before trying it (stupid on my part) but I had been to so many hot yoga classes before and thought 'how different could it be'? I can get used to the Bikram rules with time but I cannot deal with the smell. I am going back to hot yoga rather than Bikram. Hot yoga allows you more freedom to modify the poses to fit your needs which can either be easier or more advanced. Hot yoga allows music during class (Bikram does not) so you come out feeling happy and relaxed. I have seen true athletes and very advanced yogis in hot yoga. Bikram is for beginners. If all Bikram is like this studio then I am definitely not a fan. Oh, and if you send an email to the studio you get an automatic response stating that they 'only give refunds with a doctor's note'. I guess there is an issue with people asking for refunds. I sure...

Best hot yoga studio in Houston. Clean environment, knowledgeable instructors, warm, friendly staff. I do wish the classes started and ended on time, as the website claims. This claim, however, is more reflective of good intentions than reality. Typically the instructor enters the room 1-3 minutes late (sometimes even 5), when in fact s/he should be walking in just a bit early. The instructor then goes to the podium, steps up on it, takes the mask off, gets the mic out, gives an introduction... If there's a new student in the room, the class starts even later due to an extra long intro and a breathing demo. Naturally, starting late also affects the ending time of the class. The instructors sometimes rush towards the end to compensate for the late start, so they end up only slightly late vs. significantly. There needs to more planning ahead on their part - after all, yoga involves discipline. It would cut down on students coming in late as well. Also, I prefer not to have artificial lighting during my practice when the sun brightly shines through both windows and a glass door. Another minus is that sometimes the instructor starts cleaning the mirrors right after class, while the students are still relaxing - can't be that urgent, can it? I doubt anyone wants to inhale chemical fumes while enjoying their final Savasana. In this review I listed several minuses, yet this is still a great studio. The problems are not major, just something that needs reworking, in my opinion, for an even better...

I was visiting Houston for a week and this place offered a great deal for travelers; $80 for unlimited classes for the week. I ended up taking 3 classes (60 min 26/2). I love Bikram and enjoyed the classes, but I would not join this studio if I lived in the area. I really enjoyed 1 of the 3 teachers, but the other two were a little bland. The main issue with this studio, though, is that it is just warm, not HOT. A true Bikram studio should be 105 degrees and 40% humidity.

Update (response to business reply): Thank you, Mike, for sharing your qualifications. It seems you have a deep understanding of the practice. True, all the staff members I at the studio were very friendly. I did review the information about your facilities on your website. The system may be sophisticated, but it is still not hot in the studio. I had also forgotten to mention that the ceiling...