Jona S
TL;DR: As a new member, I was physically touched and pushed out of a yoga class by an instructor without consent after being directed to the room by staff. Management’s response was to tell me to avoid the instructor rather than meaningfully address the conduct. When I asked about possible solutions, my membership was simply canceled. Disappointing handling of a serious consent issue. Full review: Unfortunately, my very first attempt to attend a yoga class resulted in an experience that was unsettling, inappropriate, and ultimately mishandled by management.I accidentally entered a yoga class near its end after being directed to the studio by front desk staff. The studio door was open, and there was no signage indicating a class was already in progress. Before I could process what was happening, the instructor, Jaymie, approached me in a frantic manner, shook her head, placed her hands on my arm, and physically pushed me backward out of the room while saying, “please leave,” but nothing else. This physical contact was unwanted and without my consent. Regardless of whether I entered late, no instructor should ever put their hands on a member to forcibly remove them. Especially a brand-new member attending their first yoga class. I left confused, embarrassed, and shaken. I emailed management to explain what happened. Oscar, the Gym Director, later called me. During that call, I was told that Jaymie had been with them for 10 years and had “never had an issue,” and that the “best approach” would be for me to avoid her classes and “stay out of each other’s space.” Mind you I was also told that I should go to different locations to avoid Jaymie, but that she also worked at other locations (and sometimes covered for other instructors - so she may be the instructor even though the online schedule doesn't list her as the instructor). In other words, instead of addressing the inappropriate conduct, the solution offered was to inconvenience me. This was then confirmed in writing:“The best approach right now is to maintain some distance from Jaymie for a few months. That means avoiding Jaymie’s classes and, if you happen to cross paths at the gym, keeping a respectful distance.” I found this response deeply disappointing. It centered the instructor’s comfort over member safety and accountability. Mind you a paying customer. I followed up by calmly asking about two possible options: (1) A refund with the option to reconsider joining later after some time, or (2) Extending my discounted rate for an additional month, since I currently did not feel comfortable using the membership. This would also make me feel like I'm not wasting as much money if I show up to a class and then left if it Jaymie did happen to be the instructor. Instead of discussing options, my membership was simply canceled outright with no alternative solution, goodwill gesture, or any meaningful acknowledgment offered. Canceling a membership after a member raises a concern about consent feels less like resolution and more like quiet removal of the problem.The manager later wrote:“Consent is absolutely fundamental… We’ve reiterated our expectations around consent and member safety.” Yet the earlier handling of the situation and the suggestion that I simply avoid the instructor did not reflect that value in practice.Yoga spaces should be places where consent, bodily autonomy, and safety are non-negotiable, especially for new members. I’m sharing this so others especially are aware. I hope Movement takes a harder look at how incidents like this are handled, because the way concerns are addressed matters just as much as the incident itself.






