Bikram Yoga Waverly

Amazing. I own a gym and have naturally been to many different types of classes at many different locations over the years. Even with no Bikram experience, I found this to be a welcoming, exciting, and motivating experience. I loved the soft push to do your best without the militant, elitist style present in some other studios. I’d recommend it to anyone, beginner or expert!

26 postures. Same class every single time. Very hot classes. You will work your butt off but feel amazing afterwards. Don’t be late as they lock the doors on time. You will burn a ton of calories in this class!!! Highly recommend trying this type of yoga but give it a few classes before deciding whether you like it or not.

Okay, so here’s the deal — I have been to numerous studios, mostly because I am one of the people that goes to a studio because they bought an unlimited 30 day pass. I’ve had great luck with this method in the past. However, I’m thinking about revising this strategy after Bikram Yoga Waverley.
For those of you who are hatha, vinyasa, and ashtanga practioners, or have a foundation in any semi-​traditional yoga practice, Bikram goes against everything the yogic philosophy stands for. (This was my first Bikram studio.) Lockings your knees. No room for modifications. Emphasizing eye and neck postures that are really not good for the muscles in your neck. Their version of kapalabathi (2^nd round) was about to give me a panic attack thanks to the lack of circulating air. And while it claims to work every part of the body, it misses out on hip, shoulder, and heart openers.
I don’t think, however, that my dissatisfaction at this studio is strictly because it’s Bikram, which i quickly learned is not my cup of tea. I attended 3 classes, each with a different teacher, and every single one of them rubbed me the wrong way. From being called out publicly for being new, then getting yelled at for doing a counter-​pose to relieve some of the tension from my neck, it’s apparent that customer service and retaining new clientele is the least of their worries. Today, I left so upset, I didn’t finish putting my shoes on before walking out the door.
And not only that, the place smells really weird! I thought it was just me (I didn’t read reviews before I started attending classes), but it smells kind of like a bad Chinese restaurant. It’s hard to believe that their floor is «antibacterial» as they claim on their website… something is growing in it for it to smell like that.
This place might be less than a 5 minute drive from my house, but you won’t catch me dead stepping foot in there again. So disappointed.

So far, Yoga Crossing has been the best studio I have been to for Bikram. The instructors are all fantastic (no egos here) and they do a good job with newer students. Giving them additional instruction to correct postures without announcing it to the entire room. I also appreciate they have the high tech rubber floors instead of carpet. They are comfortable and don’t have that horrible smell you get in studios that are carpeted. it’s a very clean and spacious studio. The changing room is fine, albeit a bit on the small side. I just wish it were closer to where I lived so I could go more often!

First off, I’m completely new Bikram yoga. I’m But after a month here, this is standart to which I will compare other studios to. The teachers are amazing. Especially Gerdette and Jennie. They are genuinely interested in making sure you’re getting the most out of your practice in the moment. You may get a correction, you may be told «great job» or nothing at all. It’s just all laid back and enjoyable.

Through the years I have practiced many different types of yoga and at various yoga studios. Heck, I even remember when I thought I hated yoga, but to be honest, I just had a crappy instructor and didn’t know it. Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate all different forms of yoga and have fallen in love with the practice in general.
When I walked into Yoga Crossing, I had never tried Bikram yoga and had no idea that Bikram was not the same as Power! So let me give you that heads up, Bikram is VERY different from Power/​Prana/​Vinyasa yoga. Yes, they are both in heated rooms, but Bikram is actually HOTTER! You’re probably thinking, how much hotter can it get?! Prana is already 80 – 90 degrees. Bikram is ideally practiced in 105 degrees! Additionally, Bikram does not follow the «flow’ of vinyasa/​power type style of yoga if that’s what you’re thinking. It’s a very specific practice with 2 sets of 26 poses practiced over 90 minutes and 2 breathing exercises.
But… please do not let the above scare you away! It’s actually quite addicting and I’ve learned to LOVE LOVE LOVE this more than I had already loved prana/​vinyasa style yoga. I just think everyone should be prepared for their first class.
TIPS:
* Drink plenty of water THE NIGHT BEFORE your classes as well as throughout the day prior to your class. It will make a world of difference and you will thank me later. I can not stress hydration enough! Plus it’s good for you, detoxes your body and great for your skin!
* DO NOT eat anything within 3 – 5 hours of your class — TRUST ME!
* Bring at least one ICED bottle of water (freeze it the night before your class) and at least one towel in addition to your yoga mat and yoga towel. (They also rent yoga mats/​towels if you don’t own one.)
* Try to go at least 3 times in a row, once you make it past your 3^rd consecutive class, it gets so much easier! You just gotta stick to it and don’t get down on yourself for having to lay down and take breaks, or go for air the first few classes. It’s a tough practice, but totally worth it. Take advantage of that Intro week for new students — $ 20 for 1 week unlimited!
* And remember Yoga is all about YOU! You’re not here to impress anyone, so take your time to become acclimated to the practice and just let your body do what it needs to do.
Every instructor there is awesome. The staff are super friendly and helpful. My fave classes are with Gerdette (the owner) and Brianna.
The facility is super clean! They have plenty of changing rooms as well as a couple of showers if you need them. Plenty of cubby storage to put your stuff during classes.
If you haven’t tried Bikram yet or looking for a place to practice, definitely stop by Yoga Crossing! You won’t regret it! Trust me, you’ll feel amazing afterward and your body will love you for every moment. And huge bonus includes detox and weight loss!

I’ve been practicing Bikram yoga now for two years at this studio (wow has it been that long already!?) so I’m obviously a fan but let me explain why (because I have taken classes at other studios in the Boston area).
1. it’s very clean! I honestly can’t imagine practicing on carpet and what you get here is a rubbery floor that is frequently changed out (I’ve seen it changed twice already in two years) and the changing areas and bathrooms are always spotless… is there a bit of a «sweaty» smell in the hot room? yes of course, this is inevitable for a hot yoga studio (especially if you are going in right after another class), but it is by no means overwhelming at all.
2. convenient free parking! if you’ve taken classes at other studios in the Boston area (Harvard, Boylston) then you understand how parking can be an expensive add on to your practice… not here.
3. great teachers! I’m always amazed how I get something different from each teacher… they are all friendly, accesible and genuinely interested in making sure you’re getting the most out of your practice in the moment… you may get a correction, you may be told «great job» or nothing at all… it’s just all laid back and enjoyable.
Finally– Bikram is just a great work-​out! my objective in life is to be fit, strong and flexible without damaging my joints or injuring my body so I can be just as fit, strong and flexible at 80. I know that’s possible with this yoga. I’m very lean now (this work-​out is a wicked fat burner folks!) flexible (let’s just say I couldn’t even touch my toes before) and I have great muscle tone in my arms and legs… oh, and that chronic knot in my upper back? gone! I feel more young and vital now than I did 5 years ago, and colds and flus? I literally haven’t been sick in two years. So this is the real deal. It’s really hard, very challenging, but, for me, it’s perfect and I love this studio in particular! 5 stars well deserved!

I love yoga crossing, the staff are great and when I was new to the practice they made me feel comfortable. The studio is clean and no longer has carpet which some have complained about. You have to love the heat to love Bikram, don’t give up after the first try, come back and you will love it…

I am a transplant from NY– I was worried that no studio could stack up to the Bikram RVC, but I have found a new home at Yoga crossing. The classes are always pretty packed but nothing compared to the NY crowded! The teachers are great and inspirational. I always leave feeling revived and refreshed and filled with positive energy. Beware if you are a first timer– these classes aren’t for the faint of heart! Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Tips — take em or leave em (they work for me) — 1) put ¾ of your favorite sports drink in the freezer the night before class– then next day b4 class fill rest way with water… then no matter how hot it gets u will always have an ice cold drink. 2) don’t go in the 1 st row until u r sure u won’t need to lay down and rest (embarrassing!) 3) don’t judge yourself or compare yourself… take it easy… it’s amazing u r in the class at all! And 4) bring a Small hand towel– wrap it around your frozen drink and wipe your face with it when you really need a cool refresher… and 5) good luck! Hope to see u there! :-)

I am a Bikram teacher and I have practiced in quite a few studios. The studio charged me a ½ price drop in rate to take class. so I expected amazing… This studio is not a favorite. The practice floor was a recycled plastic top ramen looking business which I have only seen in Vegas before… It smelled like cat piss. totally creepy. the teacher was a old out of shape man. spoke word for word dialog with one tone. sucky. boring. no life. the class was full but the space is small max fit would be 35 people. roughly 4 students left even before class was over. the heat was ok. but circulation was horrible. fans on high or nothing. they have 6 private changing spaces. but the shower and toilet for ladies was a tiny space and if you get more that 4 ladies in there it was a cluster mess. There was no community or warm feeling that I got from this place. sorry Bikram yoga Waltham not impressed.

Really really not my cup of tea. I’ve practiced yoga in 20+ studios (I move a lot) and have been hoping to find a studio near work.
The people were friendly, which is good because the class was so crowded (the post-​work sessions) that I literally couldn’t avoid touching my neighbors. Tip: pick normal looking people to put your mat by, because in a few instance I got stuck touching sweaty weirdos. Once I got stuck in between a grunter and the mirror… was kind of scared for my life.
And yes… this place smells bad.

I initially saw the pictures of the carpeted studio and was instantly turned off, but I was looking for a good yoga workout and a friend convinced me to give it a try. When I first went in, my senses were heightened to the scents in the room of sweat and I was trying to convince myself to think beyond the smells. Once class got under way, I was too focused on the postures and not passing out due to the heat that I didn’t notice the smells anymore.
I’ve only done bikram a few times and it had been a few years since my last attempt. I don’t believe there was a single downward dog and did not have the flow that I was used to, but it was a positive experience nonetheless. The teaching style was interesting in the sense that the instructor was able to repeat everything to a tee (the poses are in sets of two). This served as a good reminder during the second set, but at points I was distracted by the uncanny ability. I was surprised that modifications weren’t offered, but this may be a factor of the bikram style moreso than the instructor.

I love this studio! I love everything about it; the instructors, the owner, its simply fantastic. I have practiced Bikram for 9 years and this is by far the best studio I have been to, conscientiously run and has a great vibe and friendly clientele. Very consistently high-​quality. A welcoming and great place to practice! My practice continues to improve– as long as I get there :-) Very convenient location with great parking!

I have now been going here for almost two years now. I love the early morning classes & Kelly is fantastic! The rest of the staff is great too. It has definitely been getting more crowded, but other than that, I have no complaints. Love it!

It may be that I’m extremely used to another yoga studio, but I really did not enjoy my class at Yoga Crossing.
a)I really believe heated yoga studios should not have carpeting. The smell was overwhelming and made it extremely hard for me to concentrate as I felt like I was suffocating. I will say they were closing the next day to have the carpets cleaned so maybe I came in at a bad time, but it still seems unsanitary to me.
b)The instructor I had pointed out to the entire class that I was new and had no problem yelling «You’re doing that wrong!» across the room several times during class.
Not exactly the experience I was looking for.

I’ve been to a number of Bikram studios all over the country. It’s something I like to do – judge a place by it’s Bikram. This is definitely one of the best in the area. Definitely one of the largest. And people are getting so hyped up by this kind of yoga, that it still tends to be crowded. There’s tons of parking (unlike Bikram Boston) and places to keep your stuff while your stretching and sweating. Most of the teachers are fabulous — I particularly like Cynthia, Kelly and Gail…(is Cynthia still teaching?). Ami has a very difficult monolog, which is good if you like a monotonous, rigorous voice telling you the same things over and over — and some people truly do. I’m not one of them.
They lock the doors while class is in session so you don’t have to worry about the street folk coming in off Waverly ave and stealing your wallet. They sell vitamin water, which every good yoga studio knows it should, along with a small selection of yoga clothes, mats and accessories. They also have complimentary hair elastics in case you forget one!

LOVED this. So much. I was a complete beginner, no clue about yoga at all, and that did not matter at all. Beginner, expert, whatever, the classes here are wonderful. All the instructors are patient, kind, and offer only positive comments. They truly want to help you learn and do the poses correctly but there is no pressure here. If you can’t do something, no one makes you and you can just rest until everyone finishes. The temperature in the room is a bit daunting at first but considering the weather around here I found it welcoming after the first class. You’re going to sweat a lot no matter what so it helps to wear those sweat wicking clothes.
They also had a great introductory offer of $ 20 for unlimited classes for a week for new customers. Dirt cheap and I swear they use it because they know how much you will love it and want to continue with it despite the higher prices after that (drop-​in is $ 17 per class and they have monthly and yearly rates as well: check the website).
I only stopped because I moved out of Waltham and because I am poor. Haha. If I ever have money I am so coming back here. Best exercise ever.

Yoga Crossing is a Bikram yoga studio. it is a wonderful place to practice Bikram yoga– all of the instructors have their own personal touch to this vigorous practice, and the class benefits from these nuances in personality and instruction. the facility is large and clean, and tastefully designed, with low-​level lamps and soft music in the room during meditative periods. i think the instructors here really care about student progress, and they pay attention to whether you are doing the postures correctly. highly recommended!!!