Urban Yoga Spa — Local services in Seattle

I have been going UYS on and off for over a year and have continually enjoyed going. The space is pretty great - clean, airy and light (when there's sun in Seattle :)). I've only been in their big studio, which really is the way to go when you're in a roomful of people... SWEATING! The studio itself is simple, nothing fancy and it doesn't really smell, like some places do. My main qualm is parking - I'm not a big fan of paying for parking, but UYS do give discounted parking at the 3rd and Stewart parking garage.

Back to my review...

The staff at the front desk are friendly, and the instructors are pretty great. I attended the Thanksgiving class and really enjoyed it. It was great to have two instructors, Kathy and Gordy, teach it as their teaching styles were both a little different. As for other instructors - Ginger is great, hard and challenging workout; I have gone to Jo's classes often, I find her class hard and so there is definitely a good work out, but perhaps one of the reasons I have attended her class most, is because she has a calming affect - her end of the practice message are pretty wonderful. Not only do I leave the class feeling physically great, but emotionally and mentally calm and happy. I'll...

I can say with confidence that Urban Yoga Spa changed my life. I have been apart of the UYS community since 2010. I started yoga mainly for the physical aspects, I can now say I got way more than what I asked for!! I was apart of their Karmi Yogi program for about a year. I continued to take classes with all of their amazing teachers and started to take transformation on the outside but most importantly on the inside. Each teacher has something different to offer, from their style of yoga they teach, to backrounds from where they came from. They all have their own unique qualities and are very supportive. I started to feel apart of the community. In search for a yoga teacher training program I was starting to feel overwhelmed by how I was going to fit this in my life. In 2013, UYS announced The Life of an Urban Yogi. A teacher program that fit a busy lifestyle for this busy gal. Throughout my experience in teacher training, I bonded with people that I might not have ever met outside this community. I have everlasting relationships with new friends and I am now a RYT and teach at a yoga studio. I continue to develop my skill and teach some community classes at UYS. I still attend classes at UYS throughout the week....

I'm a trans woman and I do not recommend this establishment for any LGBTQ+ people. I was promised a set rate for a bikini wax, but when I arrived the technician refused to work with me and continually insisted that I am a man. A member of the management intervened and convinced the waxer to work with me, but this was little more than ushering us into a room together and hoping for the best. Throughout the session I was misgendered, and my technician insisted that she charge me extra and that I tip extra because she said I am a man. I tried to visit the restroom as I left, and the technician yelled at me for trying to use the woman's restroom. I left the establishment without peeing, and held my bladder for 5 blocks until I found a safe place nearby with a gender neutral restroom.

Waxing, especially a bikini wax, is a very personal and vulnerable experience. Anyone who works with people's sensitive bodies should be educated on LGBT+ people and their needs.

As I left the studio I was in tears. The management did not charge me for my session and suggested another technician who might be better suited for me, but the experience was painful and will have long lasting...