Samadhi

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see this place tanking. It’s not that the Yoga isn’t good, or that the services are too «New Age». It more has to do with the fact that the founder, John Churchill, is extraordinarily insensitive, unprofessional, and even sadistic. I used to see John for acupuncture, where he’d spend a great deal of time literally berating my health, as well as repeating himself. He would spend the entire session talking, wouldn’t take time to listen to me, or make room for me to ask him questions. He wouldn’t even write out a solid health, meal plan for me (I asked numerous times), and would pretty much just speak over me. It was the biggest wast of time, money, and energy that I’ve ever spent. I would always leave the session confused and unhappy. It was a truly miserable, disorienting experience. I am all for acupuncture, but John Churchill’s services and advice are potentially dangerous. I strongly advise people who are seeking complimentary medicine, such as acupuncture to go elsewhere.

I visited Samadhi to take a Nia yoga class and an Intro to Ayurveda workshop… loved both of them. Beautiful space, clean and calm. Not super convenient for me to get to regularly, but I would definitely go back.

I have only been in the Newton area for a few days, but Samadhi was my go-​to yoga studio. Their receptionists are always so incredibly nice and helpful, and they’re usually in yoga class with you, so the place immediately seems community oriented and friendly. The teachers I have had have all embraced different styles and worked very well with the energy and skill level of the class. I’ve done slower, gentler yoga with Nina, as well as sweaty Hip Hop Yoga with Tatyana (or, Tati). I particularly enjoyed Tatyana’s class — music was bumpin’, her language was great and the flow and pace were perfect! I definitely recommend this place to anyone in the BC/​Newton area!
Plus, $ 25 for 2 weeks unlimited for newbies! Can’t beat that!

I get it, I really do. I wish it really lived up to the hype though.
I was brand new to the area and was searching for a community of people that were progressive and welcoming. I found a lot of people at Samadhi tended to be very territorial and hypocritical… like when the vibe is warm and welcoming and then a woman snaps nastily at an unsuspecting neighbor «whose purse is that? can you just turn your phone off, it is ringing in a place of peace!» her tone just oozing with self-​righteousness.
Nicole was territorial over her classes stating to me that they were not a place to learn, but a place to discuss. As in if you aren’t already completely familiar with Ken Wilbers work, like studied at Naropa with him, then you you shouldn’t really be in her class. Okay, whatever, there were, like, two other people in her «class». I see on the schedule it doesn’t exist anymore anyway.
John was just as affected. He asked for volunteers to help out at the studio, as Nicole was overwhelmed and feeling stressed. Several people raised their hands, yet a few newcomers shyly shrunk back. His response to them was «If you haven’t anything at all to offer, then why are you even here?» I am sure they never went back. I know I never did.
I for one found other communities to evolve with that are way more welcoming.
Beautiful space aesthetically.

Great dance classes with Nicole and Samantha. If you want to let your hair down and feel like you’re 14 again, check it out.

Beautiful space. They offer some great classes. I would go more regularly but its a hike for me to get into Newton on most days with traffic.
I took an Anusara inspired class here that was very wonderful. I forget the teacher’s name but she was subbing for someone else that day.

Samadhi is a gem located in Metro Boston, well located in Newton Centre close to the green line and lots of available parking.
This is a very serious place in which to study eastern traditions. As far as I can tell any program they offer is of the highest quality. John and Nicole are well studied in the eastern traditions and for their youthful ages appear to have a lot of practice time logged.
They are relaxed, highly skilled, patient and accepting teachers. They have attracted teachers and staff who mirror their high standards and positive attitudes.
The people who they bring in are of the highest quality in their areas of expertise as well.
What John and Nicole have done is very difficult to do, yet they do it as if it were effortless

I took Nicole’s Cosmic Pulse class this morning and absolutely loved it! I hesitate to write a review for fear that more people will catch onto the class. It is a more energetic and expressive version of Nia (which I am also a fan of) for which you’ll want room to move around. Be prepared to have fun, sweat and leave your inhibitions at the door.

Wonderful classes, spiritually and physically. This is real yoga at its finest. You’ll meet wonderful people here every single time, no doubts.

samadhi is 5 stars all the way! When I walk through the doors, it is like an instant, mini vacation. Reina is an incredibly gifted massage therapist. The classes are fun, and soulful. i feel good on the inside and out when i go t Samadhi
Thanks

I visited Samadhi Yoga using my «Passport to Prana» and I’m glad I did. The space is beautiful, the woman at the front desk is very friendly, and I felt very welcome. Just outside the studio entrance they also have a beautiful zen garden — way up my alley.
I took the Friday morning vinyasa class and it was okay. The teacher, John, was great (and has an awesome accent), but it was definitely a Friday-​morning-​old-​ish-​lady yoga class (sorry…). I prefer a stronger practice with plenty of inversions and arm-​balances and there was none of that.
Samadhi offers plenty of workshops on meditation and they seem to have a lot going on. I probably won’t go back here for yoga, but I may try a workshop if something peaks my interest.

Ever done Yin yoga? I hadn’t, until tonight. I moseyed into Newton Centre for Kelly’s 6 pm power yin class since I was in need of some serious muscle relief and Samadhi’s a studio listed on the Passport to Prana– so my visit was free.
I entered the studio and met the instructor, who was super friendly but referred me to their receptionist/​work study person to check me in. Both shook my hand and gave me enough guidance to find my way to a changing space and into the studio.
The studio space is very nice, and mirrors along the right side wall allowed me to check my form, which was kind of fun.
Yin yoga involves holding poses for a long time– so it’s not aerobic or really even sweat-​inducing. We came into downward dog about a million times, breaking up physical strain with cat/​cow spinal arches.
We completed a few sequences, holding the asanas for a super long time. I wouldn’t practice this way all the time, but I can see how it is beneficial– my muscles were shaking as they realized it’s way harder to hold a high lunge for 7 breaths than to pass through it in a vinyasa class!
The best part about holding on to these postures for s o d a m n l o n g was that I achieved the impossible– my feet reached the ground in down dog. A year and a half of practice, and I finally met one of my goals here. I definitely credit this style of yoga for it. We approached each asana in a new way and I have a new understanding of certain alignments for that.
The instructor, Kelly, was really sweet. Class got a little preachy when she talked about opening yourself to love and read something about muskrats and lily pads during savasana. Still, I liked the option to try a new style of yoga that didn’t totally suck.
The studio also offers dance, massage, and acupuncture. If I ever find money on the street, I will try some acupuncture there.

Really, the staff here – and the space – couldn’t be any more pleasant! This is one of the nicest-​looking yoga studios around. The room where classes are held is a warm, sunny yellow, and with windows on three walls, the space is flooded with natural light. The waiting area is spacious and quite lovely, too – and there is a nice-​looking retail area as well.
Also, I really (really!) like the fact that they do not sell bottled water – in order to support their eco-​focus – but, instead, they have reusable cups and a water cooler. Cool, indeed :-)
As nice as the space is – I’ve only take class here twice. One yoga class and one NIA class. Classes are on the small side, attendance-​wise, and seem to attract an older demographic than other studios I’ve been to. (Classes are not heated here.) The yoga class I took was fine – but my favorite part of it was the sublime space.
The NIA class, on the other hand, was pretty cool – and totally unlike any class I’ve ever attended before. The instructor was very accomodating to me and my friend, who were both absolute beginners. Trippy music – a little tribal, a little devotional, a little Norah Jones – and some tension-​melting moves. My only gripe – and it’s not their fault – is that NIA is practiced barefoot on a hardwood floor, and I now have the most ridiculously painful blisters on the bottoms of my big toes and on the bottom of my heels. Consider yourself warned :-)
Because this space is quite the lovely suburban oasis, I’ll definitely be back. Plus, the first 10-​pass that you purchase is only $ 100 – and comes with an unlimited expiration. Very nice! Otherwise, classes are $ 17 – which is just a weebit expensive, in my opinion. But it is Newton Centre – and some primo real estate. I get it…
P. S. Even if you don’t take a class here, you have got to check out the zen garden in the stairwell. Beautiful!