I enjoyed my classes at the Scarsdale center. I definitely feel good about the energy here.
When I first joined the Bronx center, I had some pretty good experiences for the most part. Over the last couple of years, things at the Bronx have not felt the same, so I started taking classes at the Scarsdale Center some days of the week. It actually works out as the location is on my way home from work.
I still go to the Bronx center b/c I live so close to there, but not as often as I used to when I felt more comfortable. I'd like to go more frequently
Anyway, the masters here at Scarsdale are a totally different story compared to some horror stories I read (and experienced).
My experience with the Westchester masters, so far is, 1-they are respectful, 2- they seem like happy people, 3-they do not impose, 4-they do no corner you in and prod you to upgrade a membership or join a workshop. 5- They tell you that if you're not strong enough for a certain move, do not overdo it, and instead they show a modification of that move so that you can gradually get stronger and eventually be able to do a move you initially had trouble with. They tell you that if you overdo it before you're ready, you can get hurt. You leave class feeling happy, not disappointed. The Westchester center definitely feels civilized:)
In the Bronx, at times, I felt as if I was supposed to ignore if something didn't feel right. If I held off doing a move because I was worried I'd get hurt, i felt somewhat criticized for doing that in the Bronx.
At time in the Bronx, if I expressed apprehension about a move because I was worried I'd get hurt, I've had masters and instructors allude that this is all "in my mind", and they would chant "my body is not me, but mine", as if I'm supposed to ignore if something doesn't feel right. I eventually distanced myself by being less talkative with the masters in the Bronx. And in the Bronx, at times if something didn't feel right, some of the Masters proceeded to try to convince me that I "have blockages" and need to sign up for all these workshops. If I told them that is was way too expensive, they proceeded to try to convince me anyway. They talk to you (in the Bx) as if though you have no sense of your own. I'm definitely well versed and I have taken yoga, pilates, zumba at NYSC. The instructors there definitely do not patronize, prod, or excessively/disrespectfully push you to go beyond your comfort level.
At Scarsdale, I find the classes both enjoyable and challenging enough, and the masters show a great deal of respect for their members.
I noticed that the Westchester masters might suggest something, but they know their boundaries and they don't persist if you explain that you are not interested or you prefer not to.... in other words, compared to some of the previous masters in the Bronx Center (hovering end of 2010 through 2012), the masters in Westchester seem more respectful and seem more welcoming of your opinion.
They don't talk down to you like there is "something wrong with you" if you don't behave like you worship their preachings. In fact, they don't preach at you. They simply teach great classes and run a center. They don't repeatedly tell you that you have "so many blockages" and you need to "spend money on a workshop". There is no drama at the Scarsdale center. It definitely seems like a happy place, and I have to admit I get a good workout here, and I feel a much better vibe here at this time.
In 2009 into mid 2010, the Masters at the Bronx Dahn were amazing. Then some things seemed to change. Being that I am a lifetime member, I continue going. I'm hopeful that the Bronx center will get better again. I live so close to there, and I don't go nearly as much as I used to, meanwhile the membership is not cheap.
For a while now, my impression of the teatime discussions in the Bronx center have been feeling like brainwashing sessions about how people need to "live their life". There are many ways to accomplish a goal, and I get a feeling as if they expect you to cooperate with their statements and impositions.
I remember when I first became a member of the Bronx center in 2009, teatime was so much fun. The masters at the time would ask what you thought of the class and they welcomed your opinion. It felt like awesome locker-room chat after a class. They focused a lot on the actual moves and discussions about moves and techniques during teatime.
At the Westchester center, they focus a lot of attention on the actual exercises, proper form, technique, and yes I smile in class because I naturally feel compelled to smile. Based on my class experiences so far in Westchester, The masters in Scarsdale don't need to remind you to smile, because they are good, and the class experience is good, and you want to smile on your own. I feel like I get a good workout and am relaxed all at the same time after some of the classes I took at the Scarsdale center read more