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September 2023 by Beth M.
Wow! Fabulous studio (went to Lawrenceville location). Such a great teacher (Myra) made the 90 mins fly by giving great instruction and interjecting with stories/humor/insights for a unique experience. If you love hot yoga or if you ever wanted to try it go to Yoga Factory!
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June 2023 by Rona K.
Yoga Factory Squirrel Hill is wonderful. The teachers are exceptional. The space is welcoming. The heat is powerful. I love it and highly recommend.
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March 2023 by Frank K.
Excellent hot yoga experience. Staff is incredibly friendly and kind as well as other yogis. Showers are there with soap and shampoo. Would bring your own towel, but they do offer towels and mats. First time in Pittsburgh and I was told I picked the right place. Glad I went here!
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January 2023 by Kelly C.
I have been to a couple of hot yoga classes now and I have been really enjoying it! They have a $40 for a month for new students, and you can take as many classes as you want. Their website is super convenient, you can sign up for classes right online. The room is big and classes are almost always full. The instructors have all been great. I was nervous doing it at first, I thought I'd obviously be the beginner, but that wasn't the case. It's a nice space to be a beginner actually. If you fall that's ok, others are falling and pushing themselves too. The only thing, during my first class, another person attending the class went to drink from their water bottle and the yoga instructor asked them to wait until after the pose was done. I did not know this rule, and I kind of felt bad for the woman wanting a drink because, obviously, it's hot during hot yoga and she just wanted some water. I understand the rule, just wished it had been a little more clear that is what they wanted! Overall, I love it, and I can't wait for my next class!
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January 2023 by Lori S.
I signed up for a non heated yoga class and asked the instructors twice if the room would be cooler. The class was sweltering and I had to leave when I felt sick after 10 minutes. Very very unfair to advertise and not deliver the promised class. No refunds.
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September 2022 by Leslee K.
This is my favorite yoga studio in Pittsburgh! They offer a variety of classes at convenient hours. My favorite is their original hot 26&2 class. This allows me to get the strength and flexibility that I love from heated yoga classes, as well as focusing and meditating on bettering myself and my body for 75 minutes. It's not an easy class and will take some discipline but I love that about it. It is the most well rounded exercise I've ever done When I first found the yoga factory I was working a demanding job and needed to find something to help me find peace among chaos. Cue the 5:30 am yoga class! (Class now starts at 6) Years later I brought my husband who had debilitating pack pain and now he swears by this practice. I even went while pregnant. The staff is wonderful and encouraging, and the facility is clean and inspiring. They have locker rooms and showers too. Not to mention fresh juice and coconut water in the fridge for purchase after class! 10/10 I would recommend to any
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May 2022 by Laura B.
I have been coming here since they were in the Strip District. The "new" location is wonderfully spacious and calm. The teaching is gentle but directive and insightful. I no longer live in PGH, but I take class when I'm in town - not often enough. And PGH juice is right next door - definitely worth a stop. (Another expanded holdover from the old location's cooler)
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March 2022 by Allen H.
Very considerate instruction, lots of variety within/around 26&2 series. The teachers let the practice do what it does best all on its own. Very clean space. Other humans existing. Still one of the best studios ever.
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June 2021 by Dani C.
I am disgusted by the way in which the instructors will verbally abuse and publicly humiliate its clients. I distinctly remember attending a class taught by founder and director, Zeb Homison, where he yelled at a woman for quietly collecting her belongings and leaving the class early, accusing her of interrupting the class with her "rude" departure. Actually, interrupting the class to publicly humiliate her was in fact distracting, cruel, and extremely unkind. And even worse and more unbelievable, nearly everyone in the class laughed. I was in shock. I later spoke to her in the changing room and she informed me that she was actually pregnant and was feeling ill. Another time, I attended class with my apple watch. As somebody with an extreme case of the neurological disorder, epilepsy, it is crucial to monitor my seizures at all times. An epileptic must be cautious in hot temperatures as heat and dehydration may trigger a seizure. I genuinely enjoy hot yoga and for the most part it is safe for me to practice. However, I am aware of the risks involved with immersing myself in such extreme heated environments. The apple watch allows me to monitor my heart rate, as well as monitor my seizures with this app called "inspyre" which will notify you when it senses convulsive movements and will send an alert to a contact of choice in case a seizure occurs. Before class, I will of course be sure to turn off sounds notifications out of respect. There was a moment during the practice where I literally glanced at my watch after getting a vibrating notification from the app. And of course, an instructor yelled at me for "distracting" the class with my device. I was not talking, I was not loud, I was not bothering anybody. Rather, I was making sure that I was not about to fall on the floor and unconsciously slip into a grand mal seizure subsequently foaming at the mouth and peeing my pants. I'm sure they would not have appreciated that either. What happens if someone has a heart condition and needs to monitor their heart rate? What about a diabetic who must carry a glucose monitor on them at all times? Are those devices also banned?? Will they also be publicly humiliated? Actually, your health conditions are nobody's business, you should not have to defend your innocence in something as trivial as a yoga class. Oh, you also are not allowed to bring your water bottle into the studio. Save your money and go somewhere decent that will engage with kindness and respect to inspire HARMONY, the veracious process of yoga.
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February 2020 by Gina R.
I'm new in the area and love doing hot yoga back in NY where I'm from. Now first I would like to note that while both are hot yoga, this was Bikrahm while the one at home had the vinyasa flow (I'm not exactly sure of the correct name). So the practice is a bit different. The positives were that the room was very hot which I like and the "workout" was challenging enough. The room I suppose could have been cleaner like some comments suggest but I wasn't bothered too much by it. Since I'm new to the city, I've never taken a class there and the instructors were indeed made aware of that. Usually I would think they would give me a bit of a heads up if there was any rules or at least let me know more about what their studio entails/what they're about. Again not bothered, I have done yoga before at a few different studios (didn't think much would differ between them). However, with these positives noted, there were some things I found unpleasant and are the reasons I will not be returning. No matter the type of yoga, I believe that the main purpose of it is to find peace and relaxation and focus on breath. You do what is right for your body and mind and do modifications if needed, or rest if needed. The instructor is mearly a guide not a rule. This philosophy I have seen at almost all yoga studios prior, but was not followed at this studio (which is completely fine if that is not what you're looking for!) The instructor was correcting people the entire time and calling people out if they did a pose well or if they did bad. I understand this is how people "learn" however it wasn't taken into account that everyone is on their own journey or level of fitness/flexibility. It also greatly hindered the relaxation and focus aspect of yoga. It almost felt like a competitive environment which is not what I personally want during a yoga session. Now I have bad hips and often need to pop them back into alignment. I'm pretty flexible so I often just do this by sitting in a split to realign one side. This is what I chose to do as a modification instead of a different pose that 1. Was uncomfortable on my hip and 2. Not challenging for me at all flexibility wise. So my modification was to do what my body needed more (both were similar sitting down poses). The instructors called me out by name and yelled at me as if she was a teacher in a kindergarten class. I was so in shock. Never in all the yoga sessions I have gone to has this ever happened. She was snarky and rude to put it frankly, especially to someone who just has taken their first class at this studio. If people are not allowed to do modifications or a different pose that feels right for them that should have been addressed to me either before the class or even after. Like I said before, to me that's not what yoga is about. It's about doing what feels right in the moment and what your body needs, etc. However, to call out someone in such a manner during a class I found out of line and extremely unnecessary/immature. Both women who were there at the time did not seem very friendly or welcoming. If you're looking for a good workout and to sweat, sure this may be the right choice for you! However if you're looking for a more yoga and relaxing experience I can't say I recommended this location.
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December 2019 by M T.
This studio has failed to separate the man (the sexual predator and convicted con man bikram choudury) from the yoga, as so many other hot yoga studios worldwide did when it was finally revealed that bikram choudhury is a megalomaniacal liar, con man, sexual abuser and all around bad human being. It is a shame because I would not have left the studio otherwise. The yoga being led here is pretty good and it's really hot in the room, which is really the reason I started going to this studio in the first place. I love a hot Vinyasa flow and this place is really hot in the room. But the yoga taught here at this place is not vinyasa flow; there are a few classes peppered in for some variation but by and large every class is exactly the same sequence of static postures. So it's the very definition of repetitive and potentially boring. There are nice changing rooms, good water pressure in the showers, all that stuff. And the teachers are nice people. Which is partially why it stunned me to look up one day and realize that there is a large as life poster of bikram choudhury, the sick fraud who claims to have invented the hot yoga sequence (he did not, by they way, just rearranged a few centuries old postures and then trademarked it so he could get super wealthy buy lots of Bentleys and then flee the country in disgrace when his whole selfish charade came crumbing down) hanging over the entrance to the studio, the very room in which I am expected to practice my yoga. I approached management and let them know how deeply the image of this man offended me and no doubt many others who walk underneath his image to get to their mat but don't say anything. I was told, by management, that the poster was coming down. But weeks later, it still hung. And after awhile I decided that I was done with this place. Their inaction surprised and disheartened me. I went to one final class today after a week away because I'd already paid in advance for my last month (and this place is very expensive also by the way) and I thought maybe the poster would be gone and I could at least leave on a good note. But there it was up on the wall as always. My yoga has always been a safe space for me. It has guided me through some very dark periods in my life and is precious to me. The level of hypocrisy to have an image of this despicable person on the wall of a yoga studio is off the charts. Yes, it's about a poster. But it means so much more than that. If you just want a hot workout and none of this matter to you, go ahead you'll love it here. If your yoga means more than that, find a different studio. One with integrity. One that keeps their word and that takes care of you and deserves your heart, your sweat and your money.
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December 2019 by Peas Lettuce Eat T.
This studio gets 5/5 stars for the lovely people, the real heat keeping it true to hot yoga, and the upkeep of their studio - clean, friendly and full length mirrors with showers. This is the first yoga studio in Pittsburgh that I have found with actual heat keeping it true to hot yoga. They have the full length mirrors to focus on your form, essential for me to prevent injury. The studio is clean. The instructors focus on form and the yoga principles. They provide feedback and encouragement. There is a unique welcoming presence to this studio and the people are really really lovely. Yoga Love.
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October 2019 by Nic F.
I came from out of town for Thanksgiving last year and got two of the most AMAZING classes in while I was here! I love my studio at home and finding something comparable that's going to make me sweat and fill my heart can be tough to come by. This place did both and I can't wait to go back to the east coast for Thanksgiving again this year just because of this sanctuary!
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February 2019 by Adelina M.
Can I say, without sounding like a fan girl, the only reason I stuck with coming here is because of the instructor Shannon. My first time here I came in, unaware it was a hot yoga studio. I signed up with Class Pass for the Resore class and no where did it say, "hot" or even "warm". I was not amused. I'm not a fan of hot yoga so I was pretty disappointed. But I thought, get through this class and then don't come back again. Easy. Then Shannon did her magic. She talked to me about any body issues I had. Made sure I was comfortable and gave a lot of advice that first class. It was awesome. The class also was not as hot as regular hot yoga. It is just a warm class that is relaxing. Because of this great experience I keep on coming back. I bought my 10 class pack and go every Sunday. Even a few classes in Shannon keeps an eye on me for certain positions and makes sure my joints and posture is correct. I like when instructors get to know you and make it a point of making sure you feel comfortable and safe. If it wasnt for her I would have left that first day and never looked back. I can recommend Shannon as an instructor and Restore as a class. Just make sure you preregister and bring water! See you Sundays!
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October 2018 by Doris A.
I entered the studio on a Saturday Oct 2018 looking for relaxation and a positive practice experience. I paid $29 for a month membership since the single class cost $20. Received a "goody bag" envelope (1 class schedule post card and two business cards). I noticed the room was hot and I specifically asked the front desk person/instructor if class was HOT yoga and was told that the class I was taking was not Bikram/hot yoga. After paying, I entered the HOT studio and was surprised by the strong BO smell. There was sweat everywhere and a lady ran a mop over the sweat and left the mop in the room without rinsing. I asked if they had any oils I could used to mask the smell and was told that scents would distract other participants. Well, the terrible BO distracted me. Luckily I always bring my own mat and supplies. In addition, men are allowed to do their practice in their tiny tight UNDERWEAR! I stayed in the class for around 5 minutes close to exit door to allow air to pass by me. Had to stand up and leave because I could not take the BO and sweat puddles near me. I requested a refund for the class/month membership which was refused to me. I never received paperwork on my membership since I trusted I would enjoy myself as I have always done. I have been practicing yoga for years in many studios around the world and never have I seen men in their tight underwear, sweat puddles, nor the strong BO smell as I experienced in this studio. The construction noise in the studio, no music, and no scents added to the aggravation. Bacteria in sweat is the terrible smell in that studio so be careful or avoid the place all together.
