Bikram Yoga Irvine — Local services in Irvine

I recently signed up for a two-week trial membership at Bikram in Irvine and was shocked by a serious violation of my privacy and extremely unprofessional behavior by the staff. Despite clearly stating my discomfort with having my photo taken and stored in their system, a staff member named Dayna forcibly took my photo without my consent. She just took her iPad and took a quick photo while I was talking to her about this matter. This happened after I had already attended a class previously and the manager agreed to not have my photo. Dayna's actions were not only unprofessional but also a clear breach of privacy. She justified her actions by saying that if the DMV could take my photo, they also had the right to do so! Furthermore, after I requested to delete my photo, she claimed that she did so, only for me to later discover that she had lied. When I asked for a refund, she refused, directing me to take the matter up with a manager. I requested her full name to address this issue formally, but she wrote it on a piece of paper, then discarded it, stating she couldn’t provide her name because she didn't know me. She then disrespectfully asked me to leave because “I was not kind!”. Later, I found my photo still in their mobile app under my profile, contrary to her claims. It is so shocking and disappointing to see such an unprofessional and entitled staff. I am a very private person. I told them if this is their policy to take my photo I quit and wouldn’t want to use their service. It wasn’t a problem in the first session. Now my privacy is violated, I have been lied to, and disrespected! Beware if you want to use...

I have taken traditional 26/2 classes in many different places around the country, and any disappointment arise, it would be the heat control in the studio. I did the 2 week trial as a new student here and my first class was not hot enough -- I barely got much sweat. While I understood it was a 55 min class and I routinely take 60 min classes, my first class was not much of a work-out as I anticipated. Secondly I was visiting out of town, I booked the class and paid for the 2 week trial without seeing the class confirmation that no mat or towel rentals were offered at the studio. If I had read the class email saying so, I might have not gone - I was glad I brought my own towels though. As a long-time yoga practitioners, spending $ on a cheap mat would not be ideal for me (that was the alternative offered at the studio), so I ended up buying a brand new mat. Lastly, filtered water was not offered at this studio FYI. The good things though: locker room is nice with electronic lock -- easy to lock up my belonging. My 2nd class at 6am was juicy hot. Kudos for making an early AM class hot, it is not easy to do! I totally understand "Bikram" is still on the name, although I felt a bit indifferent given the history of Bikram (Bikram's daughter was offering a special class in the studio, and the early AM teacher mentioned Bikram several times throughout class).

In sum, if you like traditional 26/2 -- bring your own towels and mats to the studio, and perhaps ask about where the hot spots are in the room, you would have...

I've taken Bikram yoga at different studios all over the US (Jackson Hole, New York, Baltimore, DC, Fullerton, Nashville, Austin, San Diego, Denver), this Irvine location has some of the best traditional Bikram yoga instructors. If you really want to grow in your practice go to a class by Maryam, Judy, PJ, Ali, Tiffany, Frances). Beautiful location, extremely clean, friendly staff.

The only disappointing thing about this studio is after COVID they stopped providing towels. They no longer rent mats or towels. When I travel I still continue my practice, if possible. Travelers don't usually travel with a yoga mat and towels. All other hot yoga locations I've been to around the country at least have a rental option. I don't mind paying for a rental, but a studio should at least offer the service for out of...