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| - Yoga has never been on my radar but because of life's dealings, I have found myself wanting to try new things with my body and soul. I figured what the heck, lets see what the fuss is all about with yoga. I went with Yoga Tree at Eglinton. As you read, keep in mind that I am an absolute beginner and today May 28, 2013 at 5:30pm, was my first brush with yoga. You make of it what you will.
Part 1:
I called Yoga Tree earlier and made some inquiries letting them know I am a COMPLETE newbee and have never been to a yoga class in my life. They were nice on the phone, answered my questions and told me to show up 15 minutes earlier than the class to sign up. I DID. I waited in line while quite a number of regulars without manners kept cutting ahead of me to get swiped (I later realize their rudeness was a survival tactic- they could not afford to be a second late for their class). What was more annoying than their ill manner was that the reception staff kept letting it happen. When it occurred to me that I had mysteriously become invisible not only to the regulars but to both reception staff, I said something but it still took them a few minutes before actually getting to me. By the time I paid and was set, it was ONE minute past the class start time of 5:45pm. One Whole Minute. Oh, The Horror!!!! I went into the class as people were warming up with breathing. Let me tell you, no one was impressed that I dared go in there a whole minute late. I smiled and mouthed apologies as I made my way in but I got some looks from students while the instructor aptly ignored me. I put my mat down and tried to join in but then I noticed that they were using several contraptions I was not familiar with. Some were yoga blocks. I knew those so I looked for them, all gone. I waited worrying that a micro movement would result in an outburst from somebody. After looking like an idle idiot while others were on their blocks doing the breathing I decided that I came here to participate not spectate so I got up and left the room as quietly as I could to find the items. For some reason now, after taking my money, they decided being one minute late was a bad idea and that I should just take a credit and come back another time. Are you kidding me? I left my cosy home, got in the pouring rain, came down to the studio EARLY, got passed over for regulars which got me a minute late for the class, was ignored by the instructor and now I should just take a class credit, travel back home and come back? Why on earth did I not think of that?
Part 2: (And the saga continues.....)
I decided this was unacceptable so I thanked them for their offer but opted for a refund. Now they can't refund and the girl tells me "yoga studios don't offer refunds, only store credit". Umm, wow, I didn't know these folks all get together to discuss whether they should offer refunds. And which part of complete newbee, never been to a yoga class or studio did this girl not understand? I told her they should have told me about this before taking my money. And given everything that had happened, a refund was the least they could do because they couldn't give me back my time. Instead, they decided to take more of it. It took them 30 whole minutes to give me back my refund. I paid with debit and I guess the manager was not around to issue a refund back on debit. They could not give me cash and make a note for the manager. "It had to be debit" she said. They offered uncompromising "assistance," one of which was having me wait for a whole hour and a half to try another class. Yes, even my time could not be respected. The girl kept trying to argue with me when I had one simple request- a refund. I told her that I did not travel down there for an argument. All I wanted was my money back and they should call whomever/do whatever they had to and give me back my money. The male receptionist was the only one who seemed to give a darn. She, the female receptionist, had this to say about his suggestions to help me "Do whatever you want. I don't care anymore". How classy. How humane! How yoga like. After the male receptionist called several people, he finally got someone on the phone who was able to guide him in giving me the refund before I left.
My experience at Yoga Tree was dominated by rudeness and a lack of empathy. Whether or not yoga is going to be in the picture, I am currently on a path of transformation and these are not the kind of people I want to become. I keep hearing about how the world would be a better place if more people practised yoga. Clearly some of these folks have not gotten that memo or maybe when they said a better place, this is what they meant by it. I really don't know. I only know how I was treated and it was badly. This experience has shocked me. I am still soaking from the rain so it is going to take me a minute. I hope you all have better experiences wherever you find yourselves whether or not it's at Yoga Tree or even on the yoga path.
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