YogaWorks - Back Bay

Back Bay Yoga is an awesome studio conveniently located on Boylston St. I fell in love with this place two years ago and have been consistently impressed with the wide variety of classes and the awesome instructors.

Let me first start off with saying I am a runner and have never been "good" at yoga (not flexible and it's hard for me to try and completely shut off my mind). I have mostly done Bikram because I like to sweat. This was the first place I have ever done other than Bikram yoga at.

I did the two weeks unlimited for $25 deal when I first started and would recommend that everyone does the same. That is a steal! Even if you only go two or three times, you will be saving money.

Over one summer I got the 3 month unlimited pass. I really liked this because I could keep my mat there and it was great to be able to pop in and take a class whenever I wanted.

The first class I ever took was Goldie's Hip Hop Yoga class and it was unlike anything! It was fast paced, the music was awesome, and the sequences were really unique. Goldie herself is an amazing instructor and you can tell as soon as she begins the class.

I have since taken a few classes with Megan Rozanski and those classes were also amazing. Music was great and again the sequences were unique, challenging, and fun.

I have taken a yoga hiatus to do more running and November Project, but even just writing this review makes me remember how awesome this place is. I'll be back for more soon!

@TaylorW. Thank you kindly for commenting on my experience. Your studio, popular as it is, was a nest in chilly Boston weather. I found myself attending when time allowed, for warmth, community and evolution. Your front desk staff are outstanding customer service people--- Trent (or Trevor, I apologize), Britta and one other lady who assisted me are very helpful and inviting. My next visit to Boston adds Yogaworks to my day without a doubt.

Cheers. W.

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Amazeballs! Based in Santa Monica, CA with branches in major cities in the U.S., I never woulda thunk I'd use a yoga studio while traveling; it just seemed excessive. But the gym at the Sheraton Back Bay, although hardly used and remodeled, was insufficient. My sis who uses Yogaworks recommended this location. She's been going since college so, okay why not?

The Arlington T stop is 1 away from the Sheraton at the Pru-- it was a no brainer to get here. I showed up freezing me buns off at 32F and was ready to pay a drop in fee for a day session to warm up, when lo and behold, the cool lady at the front desk offered me a 2 week visitor rate of $25. Whaah? Sold. The Front Desk staff here is really helpful and into customer service.

First class with Erica Bornstein. Super happy. Never had this expert level of instruction. The high from this class was incomparable. Music (not just ambient rhythm music) was well selected only contributed to the heart & soul stirring after effects of the class. Erica checked each student during the class. She encouraged each student to push their limits (without judgement) but be mindful of injury, all the while pacing to the music to get the entire class in sync. Astonished. She pushed and pushed everyone and as you're sweating, your breath becomes copacetic with the soulful music. Then the rest of the movements in the class became effortless. Inspired. The class was packed and I saw why. The other instructors I experienced here were also very good and super helpful. This studio is a standout! Addicted.

I was at Yogaworks as often as I could during my 8 day trip to Boston. Will be back next trip.

Thanks to the Back Bay manager Britta for the great deal.

Tip: Very popular studio. There is a sense of community here (an anomaly in the city of Boston) and you feel it when people accommodate others by making space for their mat. $2 to rent a mat. There's a water dispenser in class. Showers and lockers available. There are other branches in the area, Cambridge, Boylston etc.

I took a yoga class here for the first time yesterday on Class Pass. I arrived to class a bit early to make sure I got a good spot where I could see the instructor. What I didn't know is that she would actually rotate around the class for the poses so everyone could see! Upon arrival, I filled out a waiver and had the option to rent a mat (first timers get their mat for free, otherwise it is $2).

I chose the Slow Flow yoga and wasn't sure what to expect. Anne Patrick led the class and did an amazing job. I was able to talk to her beforehand to ask questions about my limited flexibility. I had spinal reconstruction surgery a few years ago, and she was able to give me some guidance on which poses I may not be able to do and how to handle those moments. Not only that, but she was well-versed in spine terminology and knew exactly what type of procedure I had done!

As for the class, Slow Flow was the perfect speed for me. There were quite a few poses that I couldn't do, but it was my first yoga class after spine surgery and I didn't expect to be able to do everything perfectly. I was finally able to relax about halfway through the class, and really felt connected to my body. My favorite part was at the end when Anne turned off the lights and had us relax into our most comfortable pose. I left class feeling super zen'd out, which is a huge accomplishment for a worry wart like myself. I'll definitely be back!

As an ex-Corepower member, I must say that switching to YogaWorks was the best decision I made this year. This is my absolute favorite yoga studio and conveniently located next to the Arlington T stop. The front desk staff members always welcome and greet you with a smile. There's a true sense of community, warmth, and positive energy here. I look forward to coming almost every day. Other yogis are always willing to make room for your mat and there are amenities available such as showers, lockers, and water dispensers. I love Astanga Sunday's with Elliot, Hip Hop Mondays with Eva, and Tuesday's with Izzy. I live for Blacklight Wednesdays with Erica. Sara, Catie, and Patricia are all great instructors too. I LOVE and appreciate that all the instructors change their flows each week. I have nothing but good things to say about YogaWorks Back Bay!

I thought this yoga advanced session was more of a practice on specific poses and exercise on particular poses rather than a vinyasa flow.

There were in-between brief breaks to practice the strenuous yoga postures and I wasn't use to that kind of yoga style.

It was a good sweat and not a heated studio. Poses were challenging, but I like my flow of vinyasa and not too many breaks to perfect the poses in-between. Challenging, nonetheless.

Spacious studio with showers and restrooms as well.

I reminded myself to give to my mind and body and do the stretchy stretchy time for my body.

Namaste.

I surprised my fiancé with a hip hop yoga class the day after she ran the Boston Marathon.

My main impression of this place is that it's not "out of towner" friendly for the most part. We were in from Chicago and eager to do hip hop yoga.

Instead of the front desk associate asking "what do you need for class other than a mat?" we had to specifically ask for a mat. We came back and asked for a sweat towel. That request was met with a snippy eye roll from the brunette front desk associate. I would strongly encourage all employees to not only ask "is this your first time to our studio?" but to also ask "are you visiting from out of town?" or "what items do you need? do you have a mat and a towel?"

When class was starting, the instructor said "did anyone run the race yesterday?" And shortly after said "if you did, I hope you're not in this class!" even though my fiancé had raised her hand. LOL. Anyway- it was a decent experience but we didn't love the sassy front desk person.

I was worried that the class would be super packed, as in mats touching mats, where you can smell the person's feet in front of you.
Well, I went for a saturday morning class, and it was not packed like crazy. There was enough room for everybody, and even a bit of extra space at the back!
You should try to go early so that you can get a good spot. There are pillars and nobody wants to be staring at a pillar. The room was very very hot, there were only 2 fans. I was sweating like crazy, so were others. More fans would have been nice. At least, the studio didn't smell bad.
The teacher was excellent. She came around to adjust my form. We did poses that were hard and challenging.
I will be back.

BEST YOGA STUDIO ever!

I've been coming here since my college days back when it was Back Bay Yoga and when Goldie taught black light. I've tried other yoga studios in the area but this is still my favorite studio. Besides for the name, the only other thing that has changed over the years is that they no longer heat up the rooms for the classes. It never got hot enough to be considered Bikram but the warmer temps did make the classes a little bit more challenging. I hope YogaWorks will start doing that again.

Plus, I love that they offer $5 classes at 2p on weekdays. Without that deal, I wouldn't be able to afford to do yoga!

I love this studio - it's crowded and *slightly* grungy from all the sweaty yogis, but it's the first place that I ever really felt my breath connect to my movement, and then I was hooked!

The 5:45pm instructors are all great, especially Caitlyn, who is also an expert at cramming as many people as possible into the studio. I love the interesting transitions and flows, and each instructor definitely has a signature style.

People on here complain about how cramped the classes are, and they are not wrong. If you don't want to accidentally touch your neighbor, or you'll be grossed out if they have to put their feet on your mat, this is not the studio for you. I don't mind it, and actually enjoy the sense of community/camaraderie created by so many people enjoying their flow together.

I attended classes at YWBB for a few months this past Fall when I was living in Boston. The studio was great - convenient location, clean rental equipment, classes often full but not overcrowded, staff helpful, and other students friendly and respectful. After moving I had some issues with cancelling my subscription. The studio (I spoke with Madison, the studio manager) was very understanding and helpful in getting things cleared up. Grade A experience overall.

I came to Meghan Rozanski's 7:30pm hip hop Beyonce yoga class and wow was it really great. I have come to classes here in the past and have felt its normally really culty/collegey but this experience was really great. Her voice was awesome, her humor was actually funny, and she gave really good direction. I loved the flow & felt like she was non-pretentious and actually really enjoyed teaching, too. I will give 1 star off because it felt like the only people who got assists were people in the front row/people she knew, which is a bummer because everyyyyone wants to be assisted in child's pose obviously!

I also really love the 7am--8am yoga class with Cara Gilman. She is a really nice, supportive, and planned teacher. Her flow is always GREAT and I enjoy the Friday AM class a lot she teaches; her quotes are always timely & her vibe is really great.

I also LOVE the Thursday night restorative, too, it's very relaxing & the teacher is really great. Not sure of her name but it was a great class, too.

This place loses a star because they don't do student price although their monthly membership is just 99 which is crazy good.