Firelight Yoga — Attraction in Portland

I'm torn because there are some things I really like about this studio and some that I don't love so much. I understand that some of the things on my "con" list are subjective and may even be exactly what others are looking for in a yoga studio.

Pro's:

It's right off the max and bus line so super easy for commuters who take transit. They also provide free mat rentals for anyone who bikes or takes transit.

They have two rooms going simultaneously at any time from 6:00 in the morning with the last class starting at 7/7:30 so it's very accommodating for a busy schedule.

A shout out to a few of my favorite teachers (they do have some great ones) Rachel Walsh, Olivia Stephens and Veronika Vogler. Unfortunately Olivia is only really teaching one class / week these days and Rachel is out with an injury :(

Twice a week they have an introduction to yoga class which is a smaller, workshop style class where it's just you and 6 other people + the instructor. This is honestly one of the best things about this studio. I had been dabbling with a practice inconsistently for about a year when I came on board here and this class really helped me really build that solid foundation to start making the practice my own and listen to my body more intuitively. You get the opportunity to ask questions, which is awesome! Everyone who does yoga whether you're new to the practice or have been practicing for years should have the opportunity to take a class similar to this - you will learn so many little pieces about alignment and body mechanics that regular classes just don't have the space/time for. It was such a game changer for me!

They have a super friendly / positive vibe, as one would expect from a yoga studio, but still - not something to be taken for granted.

Cons:

50% of their classes are heated, which I am not a fan of so that basically eliminates half the classes for me. Which would be fine if the other 50% were more traditional hatha, vinyasa, yin classes but I would say 25% of the other classes are really more fitness classes than "yoga" classes (power yoga, HIIT, "Werk" flow, Buti yoga, Light on Sculpt etc.) So that's 75% of the classes that are not really the style I'm looking for. Nothing against fitness classes, I think they're great. It's just not what I want in a yoga studio, I go to the gym for that business. I would love to see more classical yoga influences and a bigger spiritual component to the practice in more of these non-heated classes.They do have a smattering of restorative classes as well which is nice. But ideally I would love something in-between a super hardcore workout and a laying-on-the-floor meditation. This is the main reason I'm actually contemplating giving up my membership for another studio, despite having the old rate that was "grandfathered" in prior to the recent raise. I love the convenience of this studio but it's really not the kind of yoga I'm looking for.

There is some noise pollution from the street (it's right off interstate, so you get to hear all the traffic going by when there's not music playing)

The decor in the earth room could use some help. Not a huge deal but a mural or something to spruce it up and add to the ambiance would be really nice. The fake plants aren't doing it for me. And there's some fan from the men's locker room or in the air duct or something that's SUPER loud - maybe it's been fixed by now but last time I was in it was rattling and super distracting during shavasana. Ideally, my mind would be focused enough that this wouldn't matter but.... at the end of my work day, this is not...

I don't normally write reviews, but I haven't seen this studio too full when I've been there and I think it is a hidden gem, that warrants the attention of PDX yogis:) I gotta say, I'm extremely impressed by the Firelight Yoga studio! I discovered the studio via Groupon and my expectations were simply to get some warmer yoga classes in during the damp dreary transition into winter...well, it turns out this studio is much more than a "hot yoga" club. First off, the studio itself is modern, cleanly and convenient. I can't say enough about the radiant heat and lack of stinky carpet that infuses most hot studios in the area..some obvious forethought was put into the construction of this calming space. I started with a "hot 60" class, which was excellent, but really came to the studio for the yin/vinyasa/restorative and so far my expectations have been exceeded. The teachers have not only been smooth and flowing with their direction, but each of them have been very welcoming and warm to boot. Some added small touches really are nice and unique to this studio, during some "shavasanas" the teacher will come around quietly with essential oils and waft them above your nose as you lay with eyes closed, nice mini aromatherapeutic enhancement to one's mediation:) Firelight really incorporates a healthy balance between the hot, more intense, "yoga as fitness" style and the calming more restorative styles. One thing that is not necessarily a criticism, but might affect some's interest, is the fact that so far music has been played(all great!) during every class I've attended...I like the addition of music, but I also appreciate the silence for some classes. I've only been to 4 classes, so, perhaps some classes don't use music, but this has been my experience so far. If you live anywhere in the area or are visiting, I highly recommend you check out at least an intro at this studio. They offer a few special referral discounts as well and you can bring a friend for free...

Good unless you need to go off the teachers scripted routine. Then they I intervene.

I enjoyed this place for most of the year I was there. Many instructors were very nice and the space is clean.

Near the end of my time there, however, multiple instructors started complaining mid-class that I needed to do what they were doing the whole time. Sometimes I didn't like a pose they were doing, or it was uncomfortable for me, so I would simply do other poses in those moments. The response was for instructors to interrupt lessons to tell me to stop and do what they were saying. Two times instructors came over and tried to physically change what I was doing. I should have left after the first time.

At first I thought this was manageable: I started moving to the back of the room, and didn't go back to that instructor again. The second time, I spoke to one of the co-owners, who made a point to not only not apologize for anything or even acknowledge that what their employees did was wrong in any way. They tried to say without saying that I should follow what the instructor says at all times. I left after that.

Very disappointed I lost my favorite hot yoga studio. But I don't want to pay for the privilege of being pushed around and touched without permission because a teacher is too insecure to tolerate one person not follow their every word.

Edit: after reading the owner's scripted response to this review, I can see we agree on one thing: talking to them is a truly forgettable experience. I will take this...