Omaha Power Yoga

Took a class with Lori (sp?) this AM. She was so sweet — was a great class on my visit to Omaha, and beautiful studio

The negativity that was Jeff has left the studio.
What remains is a beautiful, clean studio with amazing, positive, passionate, spiritual and wonderful teachers, teaching challenging power yoga around the clock. Suzanne, Cheryl, Lauren, Lori, Kate, Sarah, and Melissa have taken over OPY, and provide a completely different environment than the what negative reviewers experienced in the past. I encourage you to experience the changed environment; I’m sure you’ll find it much less toxic and more in line with what you think yoga should be. Namaste.

I am a regular at Omaha Power Yoga, and have reviewed this studio on Unilocal before, BUT I felt I needed to update my review. The owner, Jeff, has left the studio to pursue starting a non-​profit organization. A lot of the bad reviews concerning this studio were because many of the Unilocalers did not like Jeff. So, if you were afraid of attending classes at this studio because of the Unilocal reviews, don’t be, haha, Jeff has left the building. I truly loved his teaching style and miss his classes deeply. However, since my last reviews mainly focused on that instructor, I wanted to update my review of the studio.
Omaha Power Yoga is still, in my opinion, the best yoga studio to learn power yoga. I came to this studio not knowing a thing about yoga and now I just love it so much, I cannot imagine my life without it. There are currently six lovely instructors at this studio: Cheryl, Lauren, Suzanne, Lori, Melissa, and Kate. Because the instructors focus heavily on alignment, I feel confident practicing by myself or in a class, because I know how my body should feel and be aligned in most yoga poses. I prefer the energy of a studio though and the benefit of having one of these awesome teachers nearby. I know without the benefit of a class and instructor, I would not work to challenge myself as hard as I normally would alone.
The studio itself is beautiful, comfortable, and clean. There are beautiful hardwood floors and no carpet. I cannot stand a yoga studio with carpet, ew. There are two changing rooms and one bathroom, so pee before you come, haha. There is also a nice fireplace and skylights to allow for natural light and ambiance.
ALSO, THERE ARE NO MIRRORS. This may scare some people, but I love the fact the studio has no mirrors. I like it because one has to really focus on one’s body awareness to feel if they are doing a pose correctly. Oftentimes, mirrors cause a person to look sideways or up, in a pose where one should be doing neither because it could hurt your neck and alignment! The emphasis in this studio is not on physical appearance, instead, the focus is on yoga.
Furthermore, the prices at this studio are pretty reasonable compared to other studios in town. 125 dollars a month for unlimited monthly yoga and 180 dollars to buy 20 classes. There are other deals as well listed on the wall of the studio, such as 96 a month to attend 12 classes a month. The class passes here do not expire, so if you can’t come for a week or two, it’s okay, because your class passes will be waiting.
Finally, the classes here are usually 75 minutes, which I truly enjoy. So many studios in the Omaha area only offer 60 minute classes. They do not offer hot yoga, but the studio is warm and the class builds more heat in the room as it goes through a vinasya flow. You get the same benefits as you would from a hot yoga class, except more, because you are not limited to the SAME 26 postures.
In sum, the studio is beautiful, the focus is correct, and the teachers are all friendly, nice, and more than capable to help you go from new beginner to experienced yogi. Plus, the teachers are just so encouraging and motivating. They truly love what they do and it shows. The studio is different without Jeff, but this is still one of the best places in Omaha to practice power yoga.

Took a class this morning with Laura and it was fabulous. Absolutely fantastic. It was challenging, slow, warm, and peaceful. Laura’s calm and direct manner was a refreshing break from the quick-​paced vinyasa classes that are a dime a dozen. She handled both beginning and intermediate students with grace, compassion, and ease, offering challenges where applicable and modifications when needed. Awesome teacher!
The only reason I left out a star on this review was the funky pet odor. Maybe there is a pet store nearby? I don’t know. But my allergies were bothering me for most of the class. I think a little sage would be beneficial.
Overall, this studio is beautiful and the artwork is gorgeous. The actual studio space is inviting, modern, and warm. I WILL be back next time I’m in Omaha.

I think the few classes I attended were good, but this review just concerns customer service for the OPY. I had a $ 20 deal for 20 classes to complete in 45 days. Unfortunately, I got a non yoga related injury after only two classes and was recommended by a doctor to stop Yoga/​exercise for 3 weeks… pretty much using up the entire time frame of the deal. I contacted them to see if I could get an extension but they said no. I understand that there must be rules and terms agreement but found it a little disappointing that they could not make an exception in this case of injury. I hope I can do at least one more class at the very end of the three weeks and get my money worth. Although paying $ 10/​class (paid $ 20 and completed 2 classes) is not bad, I was excited to try lots of different classes and now I am unable to. Wish they were more willing to treat their new and potential long term members a bit better. It does deter me from wanting to join as a member when the deal is finished.

The studio is beautiful. I bought a LivingSocial deal, 20 classes to use in a 45-​day period. My first class was Power Yoga with Dani, and had a fantastic practice.
Went back for a more challenging Zyre class with Jeff, and like others have said, did not enjoy his teaching style at all. When I go to a yoga class, I expect to be guided and corrected, which both instructors did well. I will not be going back to any classes that Jeff teaches, however. Too much profanity, too many sexual innuendos and crass jokes for my preference.
I expect to be able to actually meditate during my practice, and all the classes at this studio are advertised as ‘moving meditation,’ but I found I had to basically tune Jeff out to achieve meditation as he was prattling on about his views on various topics throughout class. My favorite parts were the times he was silent.
Ladies, if you want to feel like you’re part of this man’s personal harem and you enjoy crass jokes, this is the place for you. If it doesn’t bother you when a yoga instructor curses approximately every 5 minutes, this is the place for you. I doubt I will use all of the classes I bought, simply bc I refuse to attend another creepy session with Jeff, but I will enjoy my other classes here :-)
Overall, I would recommend this studio, but pee before you come, as there is only one bathroom!

I’m not normally a review writer, but I had such a bad experience that I needed to share. I’ve regularly practiced several styles of yoga (including «power» yoga) for the past 7 years at numerous different studios. Since I work in Omaha one week each month, I purchased a Living Social deal for Omaha Power Yoga to try a studio in this area. It was my mistake for not reading any reviews first.
I went to my first class tonight with the owner, Jeff. Without welcoming me as a first-​timer, he checked me in. I paid my $ 3 to rent an overpriced yoga mat and settled in. Before class started, he called to me from across the room to tell me that my mat was upside down and to turn it over. (Note: he didn’t ask me, he told me. He wasn’t trying to be helpful, but rather just being an a-​hole). I asked him what it mattered, since I had checked out both sides and I felt most comfortable with the sticky side up. He mumbled something about «Manduka designed it a certain way» and let it go. Several other students turned around and gave me looks as if to say «Don’t question him.» Too little, too late.
He started class and proceeded to call out my «mistakes» in each pose to the whole class. This was the Catholic mass of yoga classes, people. Full of fear and your efforts are never enough. It felt like a yoga competition, where each little toe was being judged and critiqued. I’ve been practicing yoga for 7 years, and I was corrected more times in this one class than in all 7 years combined. I normally welcome adjustments because I think one can always improve. That’s why I go to class instead of practice at home. But this was over the top. I almost left class several times but didn’t want to be rude and thought I could find the lesson in interacting with someone so difficult.
At one point, he came over to adjust me again and said «I’m all up in your shit today.» A few seconds later, he told me (for the second time) that I needed to breathe deeper. To which I responded, «It would be easier for me to do that if you weren’t all up in my shit.» He asked if I wanted him to back off, and I said yes. Here I thought he’d leave me alone and finish class, but then he lectured the class on how he has the «highest level of education possible» and that he was there to teach. «When someone doesn’t want to be taught, I just don’t know what to do.» It’s bad enough he has «Ph.D.» behind his name on the class schedule, but then to call it out during class? The guy obviously has ego issues. (Side note: I’ve done some searching for the «Doctorate Degree in Natural Health focused in Transpersonal Studies» that he clams on his website and I’ve yet to find an accredited school to offer such degree. You’re not the only one with an advanced degree in the field, Jeff. Some people see through your bullshit).
Like others have said, he swears and belittles throughout class. I can handle some profanity, but the belittling is where I draw the line. Other than that, the class itself was just OK. It wasn’t really anything special. Some of the poses were challenging, and some of it was new and different. Nothing about it was relaxing or enlightening.
After class, Jeff approached me and asked me if I don’t like being taught. I tried to be mature and told him, «This just wasn’t my style of yoga.» I apologized to him since my presence in the room had obviously distracted him (he even mentioned several times how distracted he was, and it seemed as if it was my fault). He did offer to refund my money for the class, which I appreciated. He also made a point to tell me how successful he is since he is a going to Bulgaria to film a yoga DVD with a million dollar budget with the producers of the 300 movie. Good for you, dude. Best of luck with that.
Needless to say, I will not be going back. I’ve contacted Living Social to get a refund on this «deal.» This is not what yoga is about.

I have practiced at OPY yoga for a little over a month. I’ve practiced regularly in many other studios across the country for over 3 years. Jeff’s style is completely different from any other yoga instructor I have practiced with because he is 100% focused on his student’s form, alignment, and balance. It is a combination of meditation, yoga, and psychotherapy. Yes he curses and is sarcastic but in 2 class, I learned more about how to cultivate inner strength than in a year of practice in other studios in the community. If you are ready to dig deep into your soul and tap into the energy of the community around you, then OPY is totally for you. If you are looking for a studio that plays hipster jams, a hot room with smelly carpet, or to watch yourself in the mirror, then this is not the place for you to practice. If you are ready to face a personal challenge — mentally, emotionally, and pysically — then give it a try.

I really didn’t want to write a negative review but the negativity has been sitting with me for weeks since I took Jeff’s yin class, and I just wish I could let it go. I loved the other teachers I tried, Cheryl and Lauren, which is the reason I didn’t want to say anything negative. However, when I took the owner Jeff’s class, I felt so unwanted. He’s borderline abusive and the absolute worst yoga teacher I have ever experienced. I can take swear words and funny banter, but when it’s on top of his rude tone and ego (which is far too big for that tiny studio) I just wanted to get out! Unfortunately it was a two hour class and he made many of us feel like we were holding it up. The studio is beautiful and calming, but I just can’t to support that man or even be in his negative presence. All of the negative reviews on him are 100 PERCENT CORRECT! Most likely going to try to get a refund like many others.

No. I would not sit next to this man on a plane. If you want to be abused and given a great workout, by all means. I attended this studio for a good portion of time. My hips actually got tighter, my hamstrings contracted, but I did sweat and lose weight. That is the selling point. If you blame the teacher, then you will be ostracized, whereas in another studio, the teacher would ask what they could do to help you or make a concerted effort to hash out what they could do to improve their teaching quality. The main thing is– to get by, you end up just enduring the teacher/​owner and his psycho-​semantics. Knowing the alignment, anatomy, and the physiological jargon, does not in-​fact make this place wonderful, or any place for that matter. It’s being a genuine authentic person who challenges you; not calling you fat, lazy, loser, and basically sabotaging your practice.

Wow… the other dis-​satisfied reviewers nailed it. I’ve been in and out of yoga for 18 years and Jeff’s class was hands-​down THE WORST experience I’ve ever had with yoga. Actually, I don’t know if I’d even call it yoga.
He was de-​meaning, critical and narcissistic. Openly made fun of the choice of attire one of his patrons had chosen to practice in, dropped f-​bombs like it was his job. Zero regard or RESPECT for the older folks in the class who may be a bit more sensitive to that language; definitely not the type of guy to offer his seat to a senior in a crowded room or open the door for a mom struggling with kids and kid crap in tow.
For me, I made the simple choice immediately to never return. I’m only writing this to steer new ‘yogi’s’ away from ever, EVER having to have this kind of experience. This is NOT yoga. And for those of you (new yogi’s) reading this that have already experienced his (owner, Jeff’s) mess of a class and think that this is what yoga is all about, PLEASE visit other studios and instructors! Jeff’s Omaha Power Yoga is NOT what yoga is all about. In fact, his teaching is the exact opposite. Under a good and talented instructor, you will learn to have more respect and patience for yourself. You will become stronger and more flexible; by tuning in to your limits and then gently nudging them forward. You will learn to respect your limits and have graditude for the «littlest» things you never knew you could do!
Yoga is wonderful. Omaha Power Yoga and its owner, Jeff… not so much.

Ok here’s the thing. I have polar opposite feelings about this yoga studio, being one of the five I’ve visited since I started doing yoga six years ago. The studio itself is comfortable and has some great natural light effects that undoubtedly add to the mind/​body experience. Furthermore, it’s a clean studio all around (I understand this is a concern with some other places).
I took 5 – 10 classes while I was there on my groupon/​living social/​whatever it was, from «all levels» to Jeff’s (the owner) advanced «zen series». I’ve noticed a lot of other people have been made uncomfortable by his classes and I can understand why. I’ll admit that, at least in my opinion, he’s a talented instructor in that I was genuinely amused by the flow of the class and how we’d end up in certain postures, how hard we worked, etc. However, he did tend to get caught up in sexual/​inappropriate comments, and even worse, put selected people down about how they were doing or looking in class, in front of the whole class. For me, he wouldn’t stop praising me on my first day and comparing me to the other students. Immediately after class he added me on Facebook. Which, is alright but also a tad unprofessional. reminiscent of post-​bar Facebook ads actually. If nothing else certainly different when comparing my level of contact with former instructors. In his classes it’s evident that nearly everyone is kind of wondering. uhm, is he joking or what? I’m still kind of wondering myself. Because he obviously knows what he’s doing in yoga I thought maybe his attitude and actions are some form of lesson in controlling one’s ego and focusing on yourself, but to be honest the more I think about it the more I realize he’s just an awful instructor in this way. Yoga should be challenging, but because of how he did things I didn’t go to as many classes as I would have otherwise. Maybe you’d feel the same way, maybe you wouldn’t, but that was my experience.
That said, if you want to take advantage of the incredible online deal and don’t mind feeding money into this business after you’ve read all these reviews, you have some options. Check out their schedule on the OPY website to see if any other classes outside of Jeff’s fit your schedule. The three other yoga instructors I went to were nice and provided a satisfactory yogic experience. You also have the option of checking out the classes led by Jeff for yourself, and from then on deciding if it suits you or not. I personally would not recommend this studio to any of my friends or family, but as you can see there are clearly mixed opinions here.

I feel conflicted about this yoga studio. I have done yoga here and there for a few years and was looking for something different when I started taking classes at OPY about a month ago. I started with a few Beginners classes with Suzanne and then continued to take her other classes. I thoroughly enjoy her positive, upbeat attitude and the energy she brings to each class. She will guide you in a challenging workout while still reminding students to engage the body and move with the breath. Her cues are clear, to the point and she gives each student personal attention with corrections, modifications, and overall encouragement. I have left all of her classes feeling strong of body and clear of mind.
However, last night I decided to take a Power class with Jeff, the owner of the studio. I wanted to try taking a class with another teacher and who better than the owner, right? WRONG. The energy in the studio was negative from the very beginning. As other Unilocal reviews have mentioned he cursed continuously throughout the class, making crude «jokes» and belittling almost everyone in the room. I have a high tolerance for BS and don’t take myself too seriously, but that kind of atmosphere is the exact opposite of why I come to a yoga studio. Literally the first thing he said was directed at me, «You are in the wrong yoga class sweatheart if you cannot even keep your feet together… Fine I’ll just come over there and show you!» Wow, that really made me feel welcome. After several other similar exchanges between myself and others, I strongly considered leaving the class, but out of respect for the other students and hoping that things would improve, I stayed for over an hour of ranting, yelling, and just overall negativity. To end the class, Jeff decided to demonstrate a few very advanced poses to show us what a «real yogi» can do. I absolutely despise that selfserving use of yoga practice. For me, yoga is about leaving ones ego at the door, quieting the busy mind, and settling into a conversation of breath and body. You are where you are when it comes to your yoga practice. Having an instructor demonstrate their obvious bodily strength to show off how «enlightened» they are is just too much for me. I left the class feeling icky, drained, and bewildered.
I still have a few weeks left on my pass for this studio and will continue using it to take Suzanne’s wonderful classes. I was considering purchasing a membership for this studio but will likely pass on giving money to an egotistical, unprofessional owner.

Jeff, this review is not for you… as a narcissist, you don’t have the capacity to understand that profanity plus rude/​crude jokes/​statements/​stories are not appropriate and highly offensive during a yoga class. This review is for unsuspecting people that might want to take a yoga class in Omaha or attend one of your retreats. Unfortunately, I took a chance on your recent retreat in Tulum, Mexico. I thought I had done my homework and chatted with you on the phone to hear about your yoga practice which was focused on breath and alignment. It sounded good but you never mentioned that you would swear throughout the practice… if I had just checked Unilocal.In the fifteen years I’ve been doing yoga, I have NEVER had a yoga instructor speak the way you did during a class. To talk about how beautiful we were and then say I could «do» all of you is beyond inappropriate… to ask if we had ever f’d a chicken and then repeatedly talk about f’ing a chicken. BIZARRE! I was appalled at the obnoxious things you said about Canada (two guests were from Canada) and you were on a mission to get everyone to laugh at your disgusting diatribe. You seemed quite proud that you’re an A Hole and said you were an A Hole several times during class. You touted you were the hardest yoga teacher in Nebraska. You’re an ok instructor but I would rank you at not much more than a beginner level teacher. The only thing that made your classes hard is you had us hold poses for a long time. You never suggested or offered going to different levels in a pose and when I did you made snide remarks about it. When I gave you input at the end of the week and said I had been offended there was not even a hint of an apology. You completely defended what a fantastic yoga teacher you are and how your students love you. You commented that two students at the retreat complained the whole week… the only thing we complained about was YOU. We tried to make the best of it but hearing the F word and G Dammit repeatedly was «off the charts» unacceptable. Wow… this was my vacation and I got to pay for this experience. BUYER BEWARE!

I have been doing yoga for 6 years now and have regularly attended classes in Omaha, Chicago, San Francisco, and a handful of other studios in random cities along the way. Omaha Power Yoga was literally the WORST yoga experience I have ever had in my life.
Jeff, our yoga «instructor» was incredibly demeaning and belittling. He started off the class telling us he could tell there were beginners in the class and that because they did not take his beginner’s class first, he would punish them for showing up to this class. And then he proceeded to do just that and occasionally calling out when people couldn’t do certain poses. Yoga is not about punishment or embarrassment. Yoga is about achieving what your body can do that day and respecting that. It’s not about pushing it to the extreme and it’s definitely not about making you feel bad that you can’t do what everyone else is doing.
Throughout the class, Jeff used profanity over and over again and was just negative in general. I am not 12, I do not think it’s funny to say, «Get your F-​ing mind to be F-​ing quiet. This is your F-​ing practice». I don’t know about you, but when I go to a yoga class, I like my practice to be quiet, peaceful, and serene. You did not get this during this class.
Finally, Jeff bragged that he «collects negative reviews on Unilocal» (who, by the way, would be proud of that, especially a yoga teacher?), but that it wasn’t his fault «our bodies couldn’t keep up with the demands of the class and people should stop blaming him for their physical faults». Jeff… people hate your class because of your cruel and demeaning manner, not because they cannot hold chair pose for more than three minutes. I read the other review on Unilocal and they are spot on. The only review that did not get a 1-​star review was someone who hasn’t experience yoga at this studio for over a year.
Honestly, this was such a terrible experience that I left class feeling awful. My friend who tagged along does yoga occasionally told me she never wanted to do yoga again. We both called Living Social and got our money back. The person I spoke with on the phone mentioned I was not the first person to call in for the same reason.
There are plenty of other yoga studios in Omaha that can help you on your yoga journey. Do not pick this place.

If I could give a zero I would. I got stuck on a week’s retreat in Mexico with this schmuck (wish I had known about Unilocal!) and after a few classes dropped out. He is seriously disturbed and needs psychiatric help. Fortunately I enjoyed wonderful and professional instructors at Maya Tulum after leaving his group.

I went to try out this yoga studio for the first time tonight and will never return. We walked into the waiting room and several people were talking quietly, immediately the doors flung open from the yoga studio room and the instructor told us to shut the f*** up however I was not speaking. The instructor was very rude but it was jut the beginning.
Later when the class was about to start the instructor told my girlfriend and I that we could not join the class tonight because he did not personally invite us. This made no sense we told him as we had enrolled online earlier that day. He told us very sarcastically that it clearly stated that on the website that the class was invite only. It said this nowhere on the website. I told him this and he grew angry and continually more sarcastic an rude.
Bottom line is the owner/​instructor was very very rude and out of line with myself and girlfriend. We will never come back and I will not recommend this studio to anybody.

OPY is a fantastic yoga organization. The previous owner alienated many and people either loved or hated him. The current owner Susan is energetic, passionate, knowledgeable and has tons of kindness. The studio is full of talented instructors in a beautiful facility and a positive caring nurturing environment. The studio is offering world class retreats and seminars in addition to their daily excellent classes including: yin, power, vinyasa, and meditation. In my opinion, this studio is an excellent choice for a beginner, novice or expert in Omaha.
This is my previous review before ownership changed hands. I have taken 3 classes and a men’s workshop with Jeff and have known him for 2 months For passion and knowledge I find Jeff in the top tier of professionals that I have known or worked with in my 45 years. His knowledge of yoga and anatomy combined with a PHD in psychology make him a highly effective teacher. Jeff has changed my life focusing me on health of my mind and body. I enjoy his attention in class on safety and proper alignment. Plus his ability to use language (sometimes crude) and timing to remove me from my worries and focus me on the task at hand are uncanny. Beyond his competence what touches me most is Jeff’s love and compassion for me and the students who continue to practice at Omaha Power Yoga.

I have not been to OPY since the change in location. However, what I can say is that since moving to Chicago over a year ago, I have yet to find a studio here that matches the mind/​body/​spirit challenge of Omaha Power Yoga.
This is not a competitive studio, it abides by the philosophy of «yoga meets you where you are.» The focus is on breath, alignment, and personal challenge. Great for beginners and experienced students alike.