A dangerous cult, housing discrimination, exploitative practices, troubling child neglect,…read morefraudulent charities, unsafe housing. I lived there for several years and below are my observations and experiences. - I've seen over a dozen suitable tenants ask to live on property and be given the run-around over the past 3 years and did not even get to the application process. This amounts to housing discrimination. Some people are required to do a "Panj," which is an extensive, hours-long interview process; it entails 5 of the most senior in-crowd asking invasive and inappropriate questions about one's sex life and medical status, among other things. Yes, they discriminate against both medical and lifestyle in housing applicants. More popular people, or those in the "in crowd" (wealthy) are not required to undergo this scrutiny. - Housing conditions didn't meet state minimum standards and they would not make repairs unless I threatened to sue. Leaks, mold, violations of ADA, Massachusetts health, and fire safety codes. Violations too numerous to list. - They don't have an innkeeper's license, which is required by state law to accept guests in shared housing. They can't get that license without meeting fire safety codes, which include automatic sprinklers and installing fire doors. They refused to get the license/meet the codes and are not legal to accept guests- They insisted on accepting paying guests anyway. Also they didn't conform to health codes about sanitizing shared bathrooms and while I was in guest housing, and I landed in the hospital for a CONTAGIOUS SKIN INFECTION. - Rampant child neglect. One unattended 7 year old routinely (more than 10x) harassed me outside of my apartment door while I was working from home. The parent is in a position of power there and refused to address it. After complaining, I was effectively bullied and blackballed. I do not recommend bring children here for activities. I witnessed unsupervised resident children bully and abuse other/guest children. Who insists on a 7 year old going around unsupervised? Grossly negligent and unsafe. - While I was working for one of their charities, I observed fraud, misappropriation, missing donations, and soliciting donations under false pretenses (making it sound like donations were going to one charity and funneling them to another). When I brought it up, they would not address these issues unless I threatened to make it legal. Who has time for that? They survive on "seva" or folks donating their time and labor while Yogi Bhajan made over a BILLION dollars from fleecing his students and exploiting their labor in just this way. His abusive ways live on in this organization. Nothing has changed despite their rebranding and claims at reform. I do not recommend donating or volunteering for this organization. - Beware of the men! I was sexually harassed, pursued, cornered, followed, or otherwise abused by every male resident except one on the property. This is tacitly condoned by the administration: I complained when an employee of the ashram cornered me in my apartment. In short, they did nothing. The employee still works there and has done worse to others. Not a safe space for women in my experience. - They need to keep a percentage of apartments turning over to meet their bills, which won't be met if folks stay because of "rent control," so less established residents may be/are driven out. Part of this is about rigging the elections for their board, (after a # of years, residents are allowed to vote). This results in less popular (poorer) residents being bullied and hazed out of their housing, among other things. - Gatekeeping, discrimination, hazing, and unevenly applied rules make it impossible to cut through red tape and are the definition of cult abuse. - They persecute the poorer members of community who cannot or will not sue or move out. - All major (and most minor) decisions are made by a cabal of off-site elites who almost never step foot on the property. - There is MUCH more in the way of cult abuse. - Watch HBO's documentary series called Breath of Fire discussing the cult abuse perpetrated by Guru Jagat and the rampant sexual and financial abuses by Kundalini Yoga's founder, yogi bhajan. Yoga at the Ashram still runs on this abusive patterning.

I have been coming to the ashram for over two years. the studio is beautiful and the teachers are…read moregreat. I've been to multiple workshops there, look at the schedule for something that interests you I hear they are bringing on more diverse programming in the future. Great place, great people. Bill

I've been a member of universal power yoga for several months now. I find it compliments my cardio…read morevery well! All of the instructors are warm, welcoming, and very well trained. The studios at all locations are very clean and they offer a variety of classes. I personally like power yoga because it's a little bit more challenging, as far as increasing strength. I would definitely recommend trying!

Love it here, all of the teachers are very knowledgeable and willing to help! Great experiencesread more

I loved it here. I'm a first time yoga goer and I thought this was very relaxing…read more There are a few different classes depending on how experienced you are. I've only a done a few random videos here and there and I did the Gentle Yoga and I did fine. Gentle yoga is great to go as a stress relief and unwind, but the moderate and other classes are for the more experienced. The woman that runs it is so nice and I feel like it's reasonable priced, great schedule too. Morning an Evening classes which make it great to go after work!

Recently moved to Norwood, I was looking for a place to continue my yoga practice. I'm so glad I…read morefound this one! I've been to one class so far, but I can tell from the energy of the space that it will be a good fit for me. The class I attended, on Saturday morning, was both restorative and challenging, the perfect mix to shake off the week and cleanse up for the weekend. The instructor's assists were well timed and perfectly aimed at my needs. She also finished off with a nice aromatherapy touch during savasana, including a great neck and shoulder stretch that was much needed. Thanks, Renee!!! Pricing is more than fair, and there's a reasonable availability of props. Try it, you will be pleased!

I'm pleased to report that I was contacted by The Yoga Studio and was able to schedule a private…read moresession. The owner personally reached out to me via email and text and followed up with me after my session

I went here a couple weeks ago with my friend and her sister. We all came on a Groupon we bought,…read more10 classes for $39. This was my first time doing yoga in a long while. We got there at 9 am for a 9:30 class. There was one other woman waiting along with us, and now that I remember, it was the day after daylight savings and we all thought the instructor didn't set his/her clock forward because the woman waiting with us said the instructors are usually early as are other people taking the class. The instructor got there are 9:20/9:25 and we didn't know but we needed to do some paperwork pertaining to our health and make up a card with our name, number, etc. My friend had printed her Groupon out and this was an issue because she was told it needed to be marked "redeemed" on the app on her phone. Luckily for her, she did have her phone out in the car, but they should really state that they don't accept the print outs for the Groupon and that they only accept the Groupon if it's on the mobile app. If this was stated on the Groupon, I'm sorry, we didn't see it. But as far as we knew it didn't mention anything like that. All of this made it so that the class started late and therefore we were late entering into the actual studio so we had to split up. We got there early so we could all be next to each other, but it didn't happen that way, unfortunately. As for the class, it wasn't really de-stressing or relaxing. The instructor, while nice enough, was kind of all over the place and out of it... She'd go to help someone with a pose then get back to her mat and forget where she was at, or she'd try to tell us what muscle a certain pose was working but couldn't remember stating "I'm a yoga instructor, I should know." Maybe out of it due to the time change? I don't know. I tried to concentrate on my breath, posture, and relax but it was hard because I felt all over the place with everything. I'll go back at a different time and day, as I still have 9 classes, but after that I probably won't continue at this studio as I found one closer to where I live.

LOVE this studio. I…read morewent to a Pilates Barre Fusion class this morning and couldn't be happier. Dynamic and challenging -- in all the best ways. I am just thrilled to have learned about this new studio in Westwood. I was having a hard time finding a Pilates/Barre class in the neighborhood. Also, the class was $15 -- very reasonable. And on-site parking -- definitely a plus.

I was lucky to have a private class with Ellen of Core Asset Fitness, and I highly recommend the…read moreexperience. Ellen has a wide range of knowledge about the human body, from her training not just as a yoga teacher, but also as Nurse. I always feel that the more Vinyasa Yoga classes I take, the more questions I have! Ellen helped me with the proper alignment for my body and range of flexibility. She also showed me some pointers to help with specific postures that made me feel I was really getting the pose for the first time. Great experience, great teacher.

Looking for a peaceful sanctuary? Stop by this hidden YOGA…read moregem in Westwood. Highly professional teachers guide all levels of yogis on their journey towards peace. Workouts for all levels - from beginner to advanced, & anywhere in between. The instructors are truly present, each & every class, to guide as well as challenge you along your journey. Hope to meet you there sometime soon! :) Sully

I Booked a class online through mind body fitness app for 11am class. Got there at 1050am to find a…read morelocked door with lights off and no one else in the parking lot. Tried to call, No answer. Checked the website, no cancellations. Went to the HYP yoga studio next door to ask about an alternate entry point, she didn't know but believes that door to be the only door. What a great work out in time wasting and unprofessionalism.

Been a client at The Sweatshop since last summer (2014), after my wife had been going to Robin's…read moreclasses for a few years and raving about them. The Sweatshop lives upto it's name ... at least I'm leaving my sweat all over the floor. Robin, with her passion for fitness, welcoming personality, and fun approach to getting each individual thru a class, is a star. No one session is the same as the next. I do 3 classes a week and get a full body and cardio workout from her huge array of simple to follow exercises. Amazing what a workout you can get in 30 minutes with a chair and a single 8lb weight. I'd been dragging and looking for a good total body workout that wasn't an endurance competition or some fad. This is good old fashioned exercise done with the purpose of getting you fit and enjoying it while you are doing it. It's the best combination. And not easy to do.

I had the pleasure of doing a one hour session with Meghan Margarette a few weeks ago and it was…read moreoutstanding and enlightening! Meghan has a way of making you feel comfortable immediately with her open & friendly nature. She is gifted, intuitive and she is a healer. During my one hour I experienced a wonderful spiritual awakening as well as a deep sense of personal growth. Meghan went over above to counsel me through an intuitive meeting, do a reiki healing, & clearing & also did a tarot reading remotely as well! Meghan receives my highest recommendation and I look forward to sharing more time on a monthly basis with her. This woman is gifted and make no mistake is the real deal! Sincerely Lori Schoolcraft Sterling MA

From the owner: We have many unique services including Acoustic Yoga (a gentle and restorative class with live…read moremusic), Goddess Circles (empowering women to live their truest self with confidence), Intuitive Trainings (guiding you towards the special gifts you have to offer the world) and many workshops on communicating with love, parenting and chakra balancing.