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Tula West Yoga Studio Humiliating and disrespectful treatment Toronto Ontario Canada
I am writing a report to describe an extremely unpleasant experience I encountered at Tula West Yoga Studio in Toronto. I have been a repeat customer, generating referrals and attending on average 3 classes a week at their central location. I attended the West Studio a few times, and while I was impressed by the helpful, energetic demeanour of the instructors, I did not feel welcomed by the receptionist. I have worked at fitness studios in the past and have come to expect positive, cheerful greetings unfortunately the individual at the front was not inviting or welcoming.
This initial observation turned me away from the West location and I decided to regularly attend the central location. I was pleased with the service at Tula Central and decided to give Tula West another chance, since the location is more convenient.
I brought a referral along with me, and at this point I will describe the disturbing, appalling experience, that I found absolutely ironic considering the slogan they use to appeal to customers, falsely describing their business as an urban oasis. I discourage anyone to go to this location if they are looking to relax.
To begin with, upon arriving a woman greeted us at the front. What should have been indication to us that this visit would be unpleasant like my prior ones was that she was abrupt, unfriendly, and additionally did not give us back the right amount of change. We got our mats and entered the studio but forgot to close the door; the same individual that was incorrectly handling our money at the front impolitely demanded that we close the door. We still stayed despite the mounting negativity.
What happened next was astonishing. The class went from meditation to a bootcamp-style class. I am someone that appreciates intense workouts, but unfortunately my guest was left sitting doing nothing because there were no options of intensity. She created a very tense atmosphere, speaking in a tone reminiscent of a drill-sergeant. I had previously attended Yoga classes of similar difficulty level, but was extremely displeased that the instructor was unable to create a relaxing atmosphere, nor was she able to give options for less advanced participants. I felt very tense and uncomfortable. At one point in the class I was not lying with my head toward the mirror and was told to change my position. I found this very intrusive and counterintuitive to the teachings of Yoga. It was very clear that this woman was very controlling and negative.
My friend almost passed out during the class because the instructor was unable to give options. I was similarly displeased with the demands and tense atmosphere of the class and was left feeling sick. In the change room I was accosted by the instructor, who I learned was the OWNER. She asked if I was all right in a demanding tone. What she said when I responded that if she liked I could give her feedback on the class indicated to me that she was not actually concerned; she became very indignant that I had asked her if she wanted my feedback and proceeded to deride me. She told me to get out of her studio and never come back. Being an individual that has worked in numerous customer service positions in my life and who is also a fitness instructor as well as business enthusiast, I thought this was extremely unprofessional. She never even got to hear my feedback.
The disrespectful treatment did not stop there. I waited outside in the lobby while my friend changed. I described the situation to the girl at the front and told her that I was completely astounded by this unprofessional behaviour. My friend came out and when I described that this instructor was the owner and told him what she had told me that I was not ever welcomed back, he was shocked. The owner came to the front and began to address the situation in the main lobby, in front of an influx of customers signing in for the next class. She dismissed me completely and told me to leave and get out.
I was outraged that I was being treated in this manner, as a client and repeat customer. The response on the part of the owner was completely unprofessional and belligerent. This is not a place to go to do Yoga if you are looking for a way to relax and unwind. I got home feeling confused about how this individual is able to retain any clients conducting herself in such a manner. It is clear that the upper management have become complacent about their practices with customers, as she did not even bother to take me to the side to speak to me. It was imprudent of her to do this in front of other customers. My friend was completely appalled and I can only assume the other witnesses were similarly unimpressed.
I once was a Yoga enthusiast, but my perspective on the practice has been drastically altered by this negative experience and adverse encounter. I stronly discourage this studio.
Ariana
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
2 Updates & Rebuttals
shosho
United States of AmericaI love this place
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, August 17, 2010
I was really surprised to read that negative report about Tula West - I came across it when googling the august class schedules and specials as they're offering some deals. Anyhow - I find everyone at tula west to be great and I've really enjoyed all the classes I've gone to (hot pilates, hot fusion and hot hatha). I haven't found any of them like a boot camp...maybe that was one of the "power" classes. Anyhow...that's my two cents....Shona
Ram
Thornhill,Ontario,
Canada
Addition to consumer experience - rude, unprofessional behaviour TULA WEST yoga Toronto, Ontario
#3Consumer Comment
Tue, July 28, 2009
I am writing this report to detail events that occurred on Thursday July 23, 2009 at the TULA WEST Yoga Studio on 951 Bloor St. W. On this day my girlfriend and I chose to attend a 6 pm Yoga Fusion class at this location.
I am a relative newcomer to yoga, however I have attended multiple classes at this location's affiliate TULA CENTRAL where I have had a rather pleasant introduction to the yoga scene. It was this pleasant experience that made the events of the 23rd of July all the more shocking and appalling. Upon entering the studio I approached the front desk where I paid for the class we were to attend.
The person handling the money at the front appeared to be in a daze and gave me the incorrect change. It took both myself and then my girlfriend to point this out before the person realized her mistake and gave me proper change. Upon entering the class the instructor - The very same girl at the front desk - abruptly and with a rude tone told us to shut the door behind us. I obliged and proceeded to unfurl my mat and prepared myself for what I thought would be a relaxing and invigorating yoga class. I could not be more wrong.
The first 5 or so minutes went as one would expect a typical yoga class to go, with some breathing exercises and stretches. Soon enough however this relaxing session of yoga therapy devolved into what can only be described as military boot camp. The atmosphere rapidly shifted from one of calm and serenity and replaced by the hellish staccato of the shrill voice of Sergeant Yoga instructor as she directed us through what she called the core section of the class. Throughout this section I found myself in a difficult position as I could not complete the majority of the exercises and no alternatives were provided for me or any of the other less advanced participants. Within the first five minutes of this section, another participant got up and left the class. Near the end of the class my girlfriend stepped out feeling sick.
Afterwards the instructor approached my girlfriend and asked what was wrong with her multiple times, even though it was clear she was uncomfortable. Eventually she responded that she could give feedback regarding the class if the instructor so desired. It was at this point that the instructor became very hostile and told my girlfriend that her feedback was not welcome, that she had not asked for it and that we were not welcome back to this studio ever again. We discovered much to my amazement that this woman was the owner of the studio.
I found it very puzzling that a person as unprofessional and uncouth as she could manage a business and retain clients treating them in such a manner. The outrage did not end there as this person now joined by the receptionist continued to accost us in the atrium of the studio where other customers were just coming in to attend the next class.
We were continually told to leave as we were attempting to gather our things and no one attempted to resolve the situation despite it now having spilled over into the main area of the studio surrounded with other prospective clients. To add insult to injury the receptionist then proceeded to personally attack my girlfriend unprovoked and called her names.
The reaction of the owner was disturbing and completely unprovoked. I have never experienced business practices as unprofessional and aggressive as these. I felt completely unappreciated as a client and left the studio feeling sad, angry, confused, and stressed - contrary to what you would expect to feel following a Yoga class.
This behaviour was completely unwarranted. I advise against attending this studio, as the atmosphere is one of complacency and disregard for the goodwill of the clientele. It was not right and people should not treat people in this manner. We had never experienced this type of behaviour at other yoga studios and were very disappointed, as we came well-intentioned and did not expect such a rude, unpleasant encounter.
Ram