Bikram's Yoga College Of India
(215) 977-9642
1520 Sansom St Ste 3
Philadelphia,
PA
19102
39.9504
-75.1661
Neighborhoods: Center City, Center City West
Reviews & Ratings for Bikram's Yoga College Of India
14 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 14 reviews
Best Yoga Studio in Philly
by cheribro
May 12, 2008
A terrific studio, with excellent teachers, flexible class schedule, life-changing practice. This is serious practice by people committed to yoga, but it's accessible to beginners.
the worst yoga experience I've ever had
by tfk112
February 07, 2009
While I have been a longtime fan of yoga and admire the rigor and techniques that hot yoga employs, the teacher, Emily C, completely ruined my experience at Bikram.
She was remarkably rude and extremely inconsiderate, and I felt like I was in some sort of an army boot camp that did not allow me to relax and go at my own pace. What I typically enjoy about yoga is the serenity of it and the ability to push yourself at your own pace with the encouragement and support of your instructor. Emily created an atmosphere that was anything but that, and I cannot emphasize how unhappy I was with her class.
Definitely not going back to Emily's class...I was considering trying out the other teachers who I've heard much better things about....but after reading some of these reviews, it seems the "militant" atmosphere and disconnected vibe is prevalent throughout all the classes... Looks like I'm gone for good.
- Pros: none
- Cons: Emily C, boot camp atmosphere (barking orders left and right), overcrowded, not at all relaxing or soothing, disconnected vibe
I love this place
by justtryingtohelp
August 25, 2008
Amazing experience. Great teachers. Great workout. I had never done yoga a day in my life, but after one class at Bikram, I was hooked. The staff is amazing. They will answer any question and really motivate you. Don't get me wrong, you are going to work your butt off during the 90 minute class, and if you don't, then you are doing something wrong. There have so many classes throughout the day, you can usually make it to one, no matter how crazy your schedule is. You will feel like a different person after a class here.
- Pros: amazing teachers, amazing heat, amazing yoga
- Cons: not the bellevue's locker room
great instructors
by meesch1
July 26, 2008
I'm athletic, but was completely new to yoga when I came here. The instructors are awesome, very supportive and helpful. Felt comfortable being a newbie. Classes can be very tight for space, especially on sunday mornings.
- Pros: fabulous instructors
- Cons: rude/arrogant regulars, cramped space, could be cleaner
I should have known when I walked through the door...
by TravelGirl22
July 10, 2008
So...I have done hot yoga in the past a few years ago and I was looking to get back into it. After checking around, I chose Bikram in Sansom. When I arrived at the building, I had to step over a bag of restaurant trash that was taller then me (in the hall of the building) to get to the stairs (Bikram is on the third floor). I found the place to be filthy and gross. The womens "changing room" is a little space behind a tapestry and people just throw thier belongings all over the place. The guy at the front desk talked to me like I was an idiot and I found him to be abrasive. Much to my disappointment, he was also the instructor of the class. This guy was a nightmare, he barked orders at everyone in the room and made these really annoying remarks throughout the whole session. His tone was not calming at all but more of someone who should work at an auction house and not a yoga studio. My past yoga experiences have been calming and peaceful and that is what I expected at Bikram. If you are looking for a "whatever" kind of yoga experience in a dumpy environment then go for it. But if you are looking for something more peaceful and lovely, I suggest you look elsewhere. Maybe it was just that one instructor...I doubt it
- Pros: Good schedule offerings
- Cons: Everything else
Worst "yoga" experience I've ever had
by TeacherSabi
May 16, 2008
I've been a fitness freak my whole life, and a yogini for five+, and this was the first time I ended a physical practice feeling worse than when I started. The one thing I liked was the heated room, though in a well-planned yoga sequence, you build your own heat-- heat in the room is just icing on a cake. Here, it seems more like a crutch you can use if you choose not to breathe properly. When I got there, one of the staff members made a catty comment about folks choosing the elevator over the stairs to get up to the studio (which I hadn't done), a red flag. But then the session-- eek! Regardless of the tradition, yoga is not supposed to be just a workout; it's a physical & spiritual practice that connects, cleanses and energizes the internal systems and opens the mind, clearing the way to connect to a greater power. The "beach body" is a side effect, not the goal. This, on the other hand, was more like boot camp with some disjointed yoga postures sprinkled on top. The instructor barked commands the entire time, and his only non-commands referenced the number of calories we might burn or how listening to him would "change your life." I felt none of the "namaste" energy I've felt elsewhere; indeed, the instructor walked out of the studio while everyone was in savasana without a closing bow or anything, something I've never seen before. I actually walked out feeling angry, also a first. If you're just looking for a workout that doesn't involve an elliptical or an iPod, this might be your spot (though I have to say, I'd still recommend Jazzercize or Zumba or belly dancing...pretty much anything over Bikram), but if you're looking for real yoga, this is not the place.
- Pros: heated room
- Cons: superficial, disconnected, unsupportive
Cobra Kai of Yoga Studios
by tinymortal
January 30, 2008
My mom turned me onto Bikram during a visit home for the holidays in Northern California. Immediately hooked, I returned to Philly determined to regularly sweat yoga-style... Unfortunately this place is the only Bikram studio in the Center City area. If you are looking for a militant and competitive environment to practice yoga -- then this is the place for you [hence my Karate Kid reference]. I'm no purist, but that's not really what yoga is about for me.
- Pros: Plethora of Classes, Decent Studio
- Cons: Militant Atmosphere
hot stuff
by papazow123
March 20, 2007
i attended my first c[lass last night and must say that i was extremely pleased with pretty much everything about this place. walking in to a cheery greeting and a welcoming atmosphere was exactly what i needed after an obnoxious day at work. i was made to feel comfortable immediately and although the class was extremely difficult, the attitude of the instructor and his attentiveness both throughout and after the class was outstanding. i will definitely go back to this place.
- Pros: good atmosphere + instructor
- Cons: class was too crowded
Great place for a hard workout in a friendly environment...Schedule has lots of classes each day!
by seyfertd
July 29, 2006
I have been going to Joel's studio ever since it opened (I think maybe 5 years ago or so?) and I absolutely love the people and the quality of the teachers and classes. There are so many classes each day providing a flexible schedule for students. I don't even remember a day that the studio has been closed as there always seems to be a modified schedule on the holidays so folks are sure not to miss their practice. I have taken classes from all of the instructors and they are very knowledgeable, committed, patient and passionate about what they do. The staff and students at this studio are very friendly and helpful which gives the place a pleasant "vibe" and makes it a welcoming, unintimidating place for new students. If you want a hard workout in a friendly environment, I would definitely recommend this studio.
- Pros: Lots of classes, great instructors, friendly environment
- Cons: Could use better shower facilities but overall not bad
THE BEST.
by jnorman123
July 10, 2006
I travelled all over Europe and USA. This is the Best studio I ever been. I loved it and each time I am in Philadelphia I make a point to take JO Bikram's classes. I recover my jet lag very quickly and I fell wonderfull.
It is affordable and they have so many classes that you can easily make it work in your schedule.There is also no expirations date. The studio atmosphere is lay back and the teachers very professional.
One complaint it could be hotter... just kidding!
- Pros: Great atmosphere, affordable and excellent teachers
- Cons: none
