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January 2020 by S G.
I recently attended a Saturday Restorative Yoga class, under a newcomer pass. The biggest portion of the class was enjoyable, just what you would expect in restorative - exercises and asanas to help with relaxation. However, there was something at happened at the end of class that left me feeling really disturbed, as it's the sort of thing I'd never seen in a class, and I've taken yoga classes for years. Before class started, the instructor mentioned that she gives students a "foot massage" at some point during the session. It concerned me, as I don't like most physical contact during yoga classes, but she was speaking to a couple of us just as class was beginning, and I didn't feel comfortable verbalizing my discomfort right away. There were no tokens being used in the class, so I didn't have a way of silently being able to say that I did not want any physical contact from the instructor. At the end of class, the instructor asked all of us get into savasana. I was already feeling tense, as the dreaded foot massage had not happened yet. While in savasana, I heard an odd sucking sound which was distracting, so I opened my eyes to see where it was coming from. I saw that the instructor was taking a bottle of lotion around to each participant. She squatted by each student in class and proceeded to give them a foot massage. No one had been asked to wash or cleanse their feet in class, and she didn't seem to be using any sort of wipes or sanitizer in-between people. I'm a germaphobe, it was disgusting, and I was the last and ELEVENTH person in line. At this point, savasana was useless to me because I was only waiting for her to arrive at my feet so I could take a HARD PASS. When she finally reached me, she tried to take my socks off. I quietly shook my head and declined the massage. She stopped, then looked at me above my feet in surprise, and said "you don't want one?" So now she was asking me to CONFIRM THAT I INDEED SAID NO TO A FOOT MASSAGE I NEVER WANTED OR ASKED FOR. This was all sorts of inappropriate and creepy to me, and has nothing to do with yoga practice. Besides the hygiene issues around such a practice, savasana is a time where I get to be within myself - it is possibly one of the most intimate poses we have with our inner self. For me, it involves a lot of searching that requires my external environment to feel safe. The fact that I was dreading unwanted contact from the instructor meant that being in savasana was virtually impossible. Additionally, studios need to take more accountability in recognizing that THIS IS NOT TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE. Our yoga practice should not re-traumatize us. Perhaps other students in class had longstanding relationships with the instructor and felt comfortable with her. I was a stranger, it was easier for me to decline the instructor's contact. But I imagine there might have been students feeling oddly uncomfortable with the physical contact, but may not have known how to say no to someone they like. This is where issues around consent become muddled and confusing for someone who doesn't have safe ways of responding to boundary violations. I wish more yoga instructors would be aware of how students can be triggered by physical assists (or weird foot fetishes), and I wish being trauma-informed was a required part of teacher training. Instructors should assume that there are people in their classes who may have chronic trauma histories or are currently experiencing trauma, and that they may be highly triggered by this type of physical contact. Personally, I think this instructor overstepped some serious ethical boundaries. A participant should not be forced to have to make decisions like this in a class. This is not and should not be part of yoga practice. I was considering taking a teacher training at the studio, but have decided against it. Won't return to this studio.
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January 2020 by Sonia R.
I recently attended a Saturday Restorative Yoga class, under a newcomer pass. The biggest portion of the class was enjoyable, just what you would expect in restorative - exercises and asanas to help with relaxation. However, there was something at happened at the end of class that left me feeling really disturbed, as it's the sort of thing I'd never seen in a class, and I've taken yoga classes for years. Before class started, the instructor mentioned that she gives students a "foot massage" at some point during the session. It concerned me, as I don't like most physical contact during yoga classes, but she was speaking to a couple of us just as class was beginning, and I didn't feel comfortable verbalizing my discomfort right away. There were no tokens being used in the class, so I didn't have a way of silently being able to say that I did not want any physical contact from the instructor. At the end of class, the instructor asked all of us get into savasana. I was already feeling tense, as the dreaded foot massage had not happened yet. While in savasana, I heard an odd sucking sound which was distracting, so I opened my eyes to see where it was coming from. I saw that the instructor was taking a bottle of lotion around to each participant. She squatted by each student in class and proceeded to give them a foot massage. No one had been asked to wash or cleanse their feet in class, and she didn't seem to be using any sort of wipes or sanitizer in-between people. I'm a germaphobe, it was disgusting, and I was the last and ELEVENTH person in line. At this point, savasana was useless to me because I was only waiting for her to arrive at my feet so I could take a HARD PASS. When she finally reached me, she tried to take my socks off. I quietly shook my head and declined the massage. She stopped, then looked at me above my feet in surprise, and said "you don't want one?" So now she was asking me to CONFIRM THAT I INDEED SAID NO TO A FOOT MASSAGE I NEVER WANTED OR ASKED FOR. This was all sorts of inappropriate and creepy to me, and has nothing to do with yoga practice. Besides the hygiene issues around such a practice, savasana is a time where I get to be within myself - it is possibly one of the most intimate poses we have with our inner self. For me, it involves a lot of searching that requires my external environment to feel safe. The fact that I was dreading unwanted contact from the instructor meant that being in savasana was virtually impossible. Additionally, studios need to take more accountability in recognizing that THIS IS NOT TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE. Our yoga practice should not re-traumatize us. Perhaps other students in class had longstanding relationships with the instructor and felt comfortable with her. I was a stranger, it was easier for me to decline the instructor's contact. But I imagine there might have been students feeling oddly uncomfortable with the physical contact, but may not have known how to say no to someone they like. This is where issues around consent become muddled and confusing for someone who doesn't have safe ways of responding to boundary violations. I wish more yoga instructors would be aware of how students can be triggered by physical assists (or weird foot fetishes), and I wish being trauma-informed was a required part of teacher training. Instructors should assume that there are people in their classes who may have chronic trauma histories or are currently experiencing trauma, and that they may be highly triggered by this type of physical contact. Personally, I think this instructor overstepped some serious ethical boundaries. A participant should not be forced to have to make decisions like this in a class. This is not and should not be part of yoga practice. I was considering taking a teacher training at the studio, but have decided against it. Won't return to this studio.
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December 2019 by Lauren L.
No one ever answers phone. Tried to go to a scheduled class this morning and empathic was closed with a sign saying will return at 10, but it was 11:30. Definitely won't be returning. What a way to run a business- _-
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October 2019 by Brenda Sanchez
amazing classes and amazing people!
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July 2019 by Van D.
I discovered Open Door through my trusty MindBody fitness app on 4th of July when I was browsing through last minute deals and a 4:30 Cracked! yoga class appeared. I paid for the class and signed a waiver through my app and headed to the revamped and artsy downtown Pomona area for the class. I was able to easily score street parking right in front of the studio. The studio is as cute and as artsy as the area. The front of the studio has yogi merchandise and jewelry for sale. Behind the little doors is the class space. You an tell that the space also has a stage for other classes like aerial, lyra and pole. The space was very artistic with local student paintings on the walls. I was thoroughly amused to see that Victoria May (ig: @victoriacircus) was my yoga instructor for the day! I LOVE Victoria. We have crossed paths in previous studios and she is amazing!! Victoria has a positive high energy personality. She is very encouraging and she has the best metaphors for instructions to help me 'understand' how to get to a certain pose. I highly recommend her If you are looking into the Cracked! class with Victoria, it is a class with "gentle movements that follow the breath to strengthen and align the joints." During class, we practice restorative poses that encourage the joints to open up. This class is great for all levels. During our particular class, I happened to be the only student that showed up since it was a holiday! Victoria asked me if there was anything I would like to practice or any areas I would like to focus on. I mentioned that I just did a killer work out the previous day and my core and thighs were still sore. I wanted to do some healing restorative poses. We were bouncing ideas off one another and somehow the plow pose, or halasana, came up. I have always struggled for the plow pose, but I have never been able to get it. In addition to looking beautiful, the plow pose is great for stretching your back and shoulders. Victoria structured the class so that we would start out with warm up stretches, especially for the neck and shoulder to prepare us for the plow pose attempts. Then we got to the wall to assist me in the practice. She was extremely encouraging and reassured me that it took her a while to achieve that pose herself. Practice makes progress and I am extremely proud of my progress for the day! It is always fun to learn something new!! A fun class at a cute upbeat artsy studio! I would definitely consider taking more classes here.
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May 2018 by Laura G.
So excited when I brought my Groupon to attend a class but so disappointed I showed up for class no one was there so o called the studio and left several messages about 5 I tried showing up again about 2weeks later again no class so I decidedly to give up finally 2 months later the owner sandy called me and we talk she said go ahead and come in she would honor my Groupon I thanked her and was so excited I told her I would be there Tuesday. I showed up no one was there †I was so upset my time is important to I called left her a message what the heck is going on? And of course no return call the next day no nothingI think what's most frustrating is that she post a calendar with classes and there's no class ? How are you suppose to trust what she post? How does she run her business? It seems like she could care less about her place and honestly I im not interested in doing classes there. I will move and and find a place that cares
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April 2017 by Gina McNeil
Open Door is my safe space; a home away from home. I knew the moment I entered the studio for the first time earlier this year that Open Door is exactly what I need and felt so welcomed and loved by all the teachers and the community members. I absolutely love the Meditation classes, especially Tuesday evening Breathwork & Self-Regulation and Beginners Meditation with Melanie. It's a struggle getting my 'non-morning person' butt to yoga classes, but I'm falling in love with Karen's fantastic Kundalini class on Tuesdays and very much enjoyed my first Strength Building yoga class today with Carmen. I am so excited to try all the new classes that were recently added and will be starting the Yoga & Meditation Teacher Training program soon and am so excited for the future. Thank you for BEING Open Door!
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October 2016 by Elena Romero Rodriguez
Open door has made a difference in my life and always makes me feel right at home. Within its walls, i have found warmth and support from lovely like-minded people. The fact that the teachers have studied in India adds a degree of authenticity that would have not been reached otherwise. The founder and teacher is well versed and most importantly, her main goal is giving back to the community. I am so thankful to Open door!! Namaste
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May 2016 by Brad Keir
Love this place! Unfortunately one of my favorite Teachers - Lindsay - will be leaving soon but they have other great teachers offering an excellent variety of yoga and meditation styles. Classes with Gina are a beautiful experience truly addressing body, mind and soul!
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February 2016 by Angela Saucedo
This is the real deal. If you are looking for 'real yoga', then this is the place for your practice. The teachers are knowledgable, not only about asana practices, but about the various philosophical viewpoints of yoga. They are real, fun and an amazing group of teachers and students! The community feeling is evident the minute to walk in... and did I mention the heavenly soaps they sell? They smell so delicious, you are not sure if you use them in the shower or eat them. Definitely a place worth checking out in the heart of Pomona! = )
