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January 2024 by shilpi Garg
I underwent teacher training under Richard in 2020. It was a one-year program that started late. Upon completing the program, Richard informed us that he would not issue the certificate immediately and would provide additional requirements in the Fall, which he never did. Despite visiting the studio multiple times, he never provided any information. I sent multiple follow-up emails, but he never responded. I invested a significant amount of time and effort, and it was an unpleasant experience not to receive the certificate, especially without any explanation for his decision.
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January 2024 by Shilpi G.
I underwent teacher training under Richard in 2020. It was a one-year program that started late. Upon completing the program, Richard informed us that he would not issue the certificate immediately and would provide additional requirements in the Fall, which he never did. Despite visiting the studio multiple times, he never provided any information. I sent multiple follow-up emails, but he never responded. I invested a significant amount of time and effort, and it was an unpleasant experience not to receive the certificate, especially without any explanation for his decision.
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September 2023 by vidya balasubramanya
I'm so glad I found authentic iyengar yoga and a teacher like Richard. Richard has helped me practice through several joint and muscular issues.Im thankful that I'm able to do yoga despite body limitations; thanks to Richard's thorough instructions on alignment and his emphasis on the basics.
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March 2023 by Big Mike
(Translated by Google) gre@t$tudio(Original)gre@t $tudio
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January 2023 by disha goel
Richard is an amazing teacher with years of experience, The personal attention each student gets in the class in outstanding.
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November 2022 by Lucia C.
I took a year long yoga teacher training with Richard about 5 years ago. I used to love yoga but Richard drained that out of me. He is knowledgeable about asanas but not a good teacher. More time is spent watching Richard breathe than to practice poses. And there is no structure, Richard randomly picks a pose to practice and does not remember if it was covered already or not. As far as practicing to teach, we literally did it only once.Richard can be be verbally abusive and make fun of some students, so I learned quickly to stay under the radar and not bring any attention to myself, including not asking any questions and not engaging in any discussion.The yoga theory was a joke, we watched boring videos from 9 to 10 pm, which for someone who gets up at 5 and works all day before coming to the studio turns out being a challenge as I was just fighting to keep my eyes open. There are a lot better ways to engage about yoga theory then passively watching a video. I ended up not doing any yoga for a year after my training and after that returned to my practice. I ended up doing another and more engaging yoga teacher training. Before signing up, make sure to take a couple classes with Richard to know what you are signing up for.
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November 2022 by Ranier R.
I have debated on writing a review for this studio, but have decided to go ahead. I took several month-long intensives as well as individual classes. I had some great teachers, some mediocre teachers, and Richard. I would recommend reading all the reviews here - including the filtered ones. I personally wouldn't take a class again with Richard. I found that he behaved inappropriately at times and bullied some students, and favored others (usually attractive young women). I am not comfortable around him.
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August 2022 by Jenny C.
I'm a yoga teacher, practicing and teaching Iyengar style yoga classes in HK. This is what I exactly need in Seattle. Classic Iyengar yoga!
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August 2022 by Yuri S
Richard is a very good teacher, come give it a try.
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July 2022 by Anasuya Basu
Richard is an amazing teacher with great attention to detail. Both in person and online classes are available. Highly recommend to anyone looking to pursue Iyangar Yoga.
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April 2022 by Andreas Grasser
I have only heard positive things about the Center for Yoga of Seattle and Richard Schachtel. Sadly I can't reach out to him as he does not answer my request on Twitter (the only social media platform I use). It would be nice if You would answer my follow request (@sonnenbrandi) so I can test out the Yoga sessions. Have a nice day!
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June 2021 by Kirby C.
If you want to learn good yoga form in a traditional way this is the place. It is no frill, but it is clean and has all the yoga props necessary for all body types. If you want New Age music, instructors that can't be bothered to show students good form or don't know good form, can't take constructive criticism or a bit of friendly teasing then this is not the place for you. Richard has been practicing yoga for over 40 years, and is a dedicated teacher. in my experience Richard has always been polite and acted respectfully. I have never known him to be rude to anyone. But, I have seen him stay calm and polite while receiving some really ugly comments from some very rude students. And, I have seen several big headed students disregard his corrections and come back at Richard with nasty remarks. I even had the displeasure of being in classes where one of the students walked to every class with bare feet. Their feet were always filthy. They had the audacity to walk all over the clean floor despite Richard's requirements that outside shoes must be removed before walking on the studio floor. I believe the bad reviews are from folks who can't take criticism, don't know what traditional yoga is, have no manners, and don't want to work hard or don't realize hard work is necessary learn a skill.
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December 2020 by Francis Miller
gooooooooooood job
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September 2020 by Lex c.
I participated in Richard's 200 hours YTT training for almost a year. It abruptly ended when covid started this year. I have a whole year to get to know Richard. He is an experienced Iyengar practitioner with strict discipline. However, his personality and the way he treats some of his students is the embodiment of everything UN-yogic. Put downs during classes and sometimes lashing out at students with inappropriate mean comments like "mental issues" or "something wrong with you". I have practiced yoga in India, and with other Iyengar certified senior level teachers. None behaves this way. Strict, disciplined alignments with props are Iyengar lineage & traditions. However, lashing out and putting down students are NOT. It is absolutely NOT the way a teacher of teachers is expected to behave. Additionally, in the last couple months he started YTT online classes boasting student participation from all over the country on his website but completely neglected the ones that were unable to complete their YTT earlier this year. This group of students have written, called and left messages REPEATEDLY on possibilities of finishing up online but never received the courtesy of any response. Some of these students have only but a handful of hours left. And of course they have paid their tuition in full a year ago. This group of students were completely ignored. The first limb of yoga - "yama" states embracing one's ethical standards and sense of integrity, focusing on our behavior and how we conduct ourselves in life. If someone cannot even live up to the very first limb of yoga. Is this someone fit to teach YOU yoga? If you are looking for an Iyengar teacher, there is an amazing senior level teacher over in Ballard. Check her out. Knowing what I know now, I would never have started the program with Richard a year ago. I look at a guru as someone who I can respect and look up to, someone who participates and practice not just asana and pranayama but strive to work on all 8 limbs of yoga. I feel it is my responsibility to share my experience with YOU.
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March 2020 by Andhra Pradesh
I would say be careful about what you sign up for. He reserves the right to postpone classes indefinitely until he gets enough students. No refunds are offered and the chances on a return phone call or e-mail once you have paid are non-existent. Again, know the likelihood that the class will go before paying. He is a good teacher but satya is not his strong suit.
