CAMYOGA — Local services in Cambridge

It all started really well with the studio in Cambridge central, but it all went really wrong with the one in Mitcham corner.

The central studio has both male and female changing facilities, whereas Mitcham corner hasn't. The only 2 tiny rooms (the size of a fitting room in Primark) were out of order due to refurbishing works, so we were offered to get changed in the 2 toilets instead (really???).

The classes and the central studio, so far were busy but decent and manageable. The class that my boyfriend and I attended in Mitcham corner, was crazy busy, packed with more than 30 people (bigger studio, but no doubt that it was overbooked) and we couldn't even move our arms when the teacher was asking to do so.

I sent an email of complaint about Mitcham corner as I came out of the class feeling sad and distressed, as well as feeling like they don't care at all about clients well-being (otherwise they would provide changing facilities and keep the numbers of the bookings to an acceptable level), but also the reply left me unhappy. Instead of recognising a problem, they were defensive and told me that as a new client I am not aware of the refurbishing works, although that studio doesn't have changing facilities. Really? Maybe instead of having a vegan restaurant in the reception area, they could put female and male changing facilities. Second point that they made: CAMYOGA is a no profit Company and just manage to keep afloat. Really? £17.50/class? When the average is anything between £10-16, with an avarge of £13 anywhere else in London?

I'm looking for a place where to feel relaxed and positive, where I feel the client wellbeing is important as well. I will keep going to the central studio, until my new client offer will run out, but at present I won't join the...

I am a long-term yoga fan, and have tried a wide-range of classes, styles and locations. In looking for a class in Cambridge I have been very disappointed with Camyoga. Camyoga seems keen to promote a particular lifestyle, but their ethics come across as rather superficial. I have tried a few classes on a drop-in basis, and each time have been harassed by the reception staff to sign up for membership, rather than welcomed and made to feel at home and allowed to explore the studio.

The teachers I have met were variable, some better, some worse, but none I have met specifically welcomed newcomers or made an effort to find out if I (or my partner) had any special requirements. In the class I took this week the teacher neither said hello to the students on entering, or goodbye to the students on leaving, instead she just strode in and out of the room. She pushed my shoulder into a painful position and only asked afterwards if I had an injury that was making the manoeuvre difficult.

The classes are VERY expensive compared to others in Cambridge, and although it is true that the studios are well-equipped and clean, I would much prefer to use a less 'hi-tech' space, (or dusty village hall as one other reviewer put it) and be taught in an environment that made me feel that my needs (rather than just my financial contribution) were recognised and respected by those involved in running the classes. Yoga is a wonderful tool and journey of discovery in all kinds of ways but I won't be going back here to...

I guess I will need to continue visiting this studio in the future for the lack of anything better in central Cambridge (80 per month). However, I wish they could be more like Triyoga in London (100 per month) or Tribe Yoga in Edinburgh (95 per month) which are in a similar pricing range but offer so much more such as infrared heating panels for the hot yoga classes which ensure that you can breathe during class while achieving the proper temperature. I wish Camyoga could invest in this essential more than anything - this will make the experiene of hot yoga so much better. I wonder if they should actually be allowed to carry out hot yoga classes when they heat up the studio with the heaters which are currently in place, unfortunately there is no regulation in place yet. I would also recommend diversifying their teacher body and creating a more innovative practice - perhaps send their teachers for further training which will allow them to provide a more interesting practice. I think that Camyoga should not allow the lack of competition within Cambridge to stop them from innovating and investing in the studio. I saw that another reviewer here had a similar impression - if Camyoga wants to charge the prices they do, they should really consider giving...