Hot Yoga Chelsea / Flatiron NYC — Local services in New York

I’ve been going to Chelsea Hot Yoga for months, but Friday was my last time supporting this establishment.

I purchased two separate classes online. One for me, and another for my friend who I brought along. Upon arrival I was told that I could not use the classes that I bought on anyone else other than myself. This didn’t make sense to me, because I was not trying to transfer classes I bought in a pack to my friend. I bought these classes separately. I explained this to the manager at the front (long gray hair) and eventually he said he’ll make an exception for today, and I thanked him as he handed me my mat and towel rental.

After the class, my friend and I were getting ready to leave and I went to the front to pay for my mat, towel, water, and electrolyte drink. After I paid, he turned his attention to my friend. He first tried to sell my friend a deal on unlimited classes for a discounted price, and after my friend declined, he then tried to sell him on the 3 classes for $29. Again my friend thanked him, but wanted to see how his body felt after the class to decide whether he wanted to continue.

After declining two of his sales pitches the manager now turns to me and asks “okay so how would you like to pay for his class today?” This struck confusion, because before walking into the class this same manager had checked us both in and told us that he would make an exception for me to use both individual classes that I purchased online for me and my friend.

The manager went back and forth with us for about 10 minutes about this and eventually backed down and let us leave. The whole experience was incredibly embarrassing. Unfortunately, they have a very predatory and sharkey way of doing business, which I don’t appreciate.

The classes and instructors are great (especially Johnny- I adore him). However, this experience has completely soured my experience at the studio and I will...

I’ve been practicing here for years. The teachers are absolutely outstanding, it’s a great place for beginners, people with advanced practices, and everyone in between. I would recommend anyone start, or continue to practice here. It is a fantastic place to establish and maintain a super solid hot practice. I always leave feeling that singular sense of clarity that only this hot series provides. When you step into this room, you commit to the best version of yourself, taking on poses which are simultaneously relaxing and challenging, and result in the ultimate sense of renewal as we open up many areas which need our attention, and which, in daily life, we often neglect! For example, as a side sleeper, I am always invigorated by opening up my side within the first few minutes of class, and it only gets better from there. I highly recommend this practice and studio, having attended classes elsewhere, where they do not care if students do it wrong or right. There is a world of difference in the benefits of the students when teachers care if the poses are done correct, and they don’t hesitate to invite you to sit back and watch if it’s your first time around, and provide examples so that everything is done safely. Learn here, learn...

I don't take the time to post a Google review very often, but this place deserves all the stars I can give it. I came to HYC just after the city started opening up again last spring, and I am so glad I did. As someone who has practiced hot yoga for nearly 20 years, I was looking for a new "home" to re-start my practice - and boy, did I find one! This studio is exactly what I look for as a place to not only hone my practice, but also to find a diverse, warm community away from the rigors of medical school. The instructors and staff are amazing, and the studio is sparkling clean always. If you are an advanced student, every single teacher is knowledgable enough to challenge you and push your practice further. If you are a beginner, you will feel comfortable and welcomed, without any of the "competitiveness" that so often can be found in yoga communities. Neil, the studio owner, genuinely cares about his clients, and makes sure every single student is happy, feels like they are wanted, and that they are a valuable member of the HYC community. If you're looking for a new home like I was, or if you want to give hot yoga a try for the first time, you should try this studio. Five stars...