Gratitude Yoga

The best local downtown Princeton yoga studio.
Ted
Prince​ton​Com​put​ers​.Com

I started practicing hot yoga six months ago at a neighboring town and decided to check out studios closer to my house. I practice yoga because I enjoy its healing power for the body and the mind. Unfortunately, I did not find that in the class led by Samuel. He has completely lost sight of what yoga is all about. The two stars represent my overall experience. Please see detailed breakdown below:
The location: 3.5 stars. The studio shares the building with the teashop on Witherspoon Street. The entrance is, however, located in the back of the building. Follow the signs. You will find it easily. Make sure you get there early enough to find parking. Meters and parking garages are just steps away, but good luck finding one.
The studio: 3.5 stars. There is plenty of space for jackets, shoes and personal belongings. However, I would not bring my wallet or valuables because they don’t lock the door during the practice. The studio is simple, spacious and clean. Bathroom (which is very clean as well) is located inside the teashop, not part of the studio. The toilet was not working properly. It required a small fix.
The practice: 2 stars. Since this is my first time to hot vinyassa, I was at the back of the class. The practice is basically a fast paced power yoga mingled with some core exercises, heavy breathing and some chanting. It requires the instructor to constantly gives out commands for the different poses, so there was practically no time for him to give verbal cues for proper alignments or correct postures. I tried to follow the more experienced practitioners, but it seemed that everybody just did their own things.
The instructor: 1 star. It is unclear why Samuel chose to teach yoga to make a living. He has superior technical skills, but he is unfit for teaching. He was rude, condescending and self-​centered. He plays electronic dance music during the practice, which overpowered his voice at times. «I’m sorry about the music, guys. After teaching yoga for 7 hours today, I had to do something for myself…» (REALLY???) Since I was new to the class, sometimes, I had to watch other students before I was able to engage in some unfamiliar postures. «I know it is your first time here. If you don’t know how to do it, just watch others and follow them. Don’t just don’t do it. It is not THAT kind of a class!» I was about to ask him which student I should observe as a model, since everybody looked different for most poses. He ignored me. Later, he walked over without eye contact, walked around me and then away again before he turned around, looking down at me and said, «You can ask your questions after class…»
As if my experience wasn’t bad enough, I received an email receipt from the studio after class. I gave Samuel a $ 20 bill before class. (Suggested donation is $ 12.) He didn’t have the change, so I asked him to keep the money and give me the change later. The email receipt stated that I paid $ 10. Where did the remaining $ 10 go???
I will never return to this studio again.

Gemma’s classes are excellent. It’s a fast vinyasa flow, and while this may not be your thing it is the rest of Princeton’s — her classes are packed. And with good reason, she’s very kind and leads an extremely solid, strong practice. I’ve been practicing yoga for many years and she is a great teacher. Highly recommend.

I have recently moved out of the Princeton Area to north jersey but i must say I will miss this place more than anything else. I have been taking classes here when i can for the past two years and every single time has been an amazing experience. It was always a delight to take on of Gemma’s classes (which made me really put the work in while staying still in my mind!) or even just cross her path. She has a truly beautiful soul that shines through in her classes and her studio. I love the various classes they offer and especially the special ones that pop up! I will say that have been practicing for about 3.5 years consistently in and out of the classroom and so though I felt challenged, it was never a stressful experience. I have also taken friends with me to class who have no experience with yoga or movement and they enjoyed the challenge and have gone back on their own time. I would mention though I wish alignment was a bigger focus in many of the classes. As a dancer, I know how important it is for the body to be properly aligned and many times i felt like a slight adjustment could have been made during the classes (as yoga and dance have various differences in terms of alignment which i like to address). My favorite class however, is the Sunday meditations. Have met some truly great individuals in the class and have left each time feeling as though i went through a well-​needed catharsis. If you can, please go to a class, you will not be disappointed.

I have been going to gratitude yoga for the last 3 years and it has changed my life. I look forward to the challenging classes every week and the lovely community at gratitude. Gemma and Samuel’s vinyasa classes are my favorite because they are the most difficult, but there are truly classes for everyone.

I just finished a class here and have very mixed feelings about the experience… The only reason I’m not giving 1 star is because I can tell Gemma is truly a caring, kind soul and she has a lot of love to give to the world. Also, it was a nice little studio.
However! DO NOT COME HERE if you:
— are a beginner or relatively new to yoga
— want to focus on alignment
— would like to prevent injury
The Vinyasa class felt more like a cardio bootcamp than yoga. I’ve practiced with many instructors and this was the fastest paced class I’ve ever taken, in a bad way. Instructions were given so quickly I did not have time to align into the pose properly. Whenever I looked around, half the class was lost and confused. It was the most frustrating (and not challenging) class I’ve ever taken.
There was zero emphasis on form to protect your back and knees from injuries. I’ve never been told to do bicycle crunches or squats in a yoga class before. The entire hour really threw me off and I left feeling more uneasy than relaxed. I really wanted to like this place because I love the gratitude concept and Gemma is very nice, but I definitely won’t be back.

Let me start by saying I’ve practiced yoga since I was a child and I’m now 47. I’ve been taught by countless instructors and experienced yoga in many different settings. Gemma is a lovely person, take a class with her if you can. Sadly, she sublets her studio to a judgemental hipster twerp who bills himself as a shaman. When I entered the studio I asked him where to sign in. I did so and put my money in the basket in front of him and walked into the room to set up my mat. I came straight from work so I had all of my valuables on me. There are 4 students in the room so its virtually empty with plenty if room to move. He starts with me by saying that I’m not allowed to keep my yoga bag in the room with me because of the energy. I told him that I did not feel comfortable leaving my stuff in the lobby during the 2 hour practice (they leave the front door open with no receptionist so anyone can walk right in) so, feeling put off, told me to put it in a room behind the studio. Remember that part about being 4 of us? Well one moron didn’t sign in. I was approached 2x asking if I had signed in and confirmed both times. And right in front of him not 5 minutes before. Then he asked me if I paid. With a snarky tone in his voice implying that I hadn’t. Of course I had — do the math it’s not that difficult with his huge following of 4 people. But his attitude doesn’t stop there. He then informs me that I need to move my mat, which was placed along the back left wall, to the center of the room. I have problems with balance and need to be near a wall so he just gave me a dirty look. Then he instructs the young girl in front of me to switch places with me… I said what difference does it make? Again he referred to some mystical energy. Apparently he’s quite magical. He goes on to announce that this is HIS studio and if I don’t like it too bad. (Hmmm and I’m the one with the ego?) At this point I’ve had enough of this controlling pompous jerk and asked for my money back. When we go out to the lobby he reaches into a closet (funny his valuables are safe but students things are out in the open) to very slowly peel off 10 sweaty dollars and hand them to me. He starts to explain that he performs some shamanic wizardry and having me move 2 feet forward and leaving my money out for the taking is what the spirits call for. I’m paraphrasing of course because the entire scenario was completely ludicrous. I will never return, nor will I continue to refer people after this, and why should I when there are so many places to choose from that treat people with respect?

Gemma is without any doubts the best Yoga instructor ever!
Other instructors from Gratitude Yoga are usually excellent too.
Everyone is welcomed with warmth, care and love.
A must go!

This place is despicable. I’ve never gone to a yoga studio that thinks it’s too good for certain people. I was invited to go to a class by a couple of friends. Granted I arrived a few minutes late, the «instructor» was completely disrespectful to me, and after only a few minutes, told me I didn’t know what I was doing and I had to leave. Last time I ever go near that place. I’ve never written a Unilocal review, but then again, I’ve never been so offended either. So I guess there’s a first time for everything.

Friday night Hot Yoga– what a way to end the week. I love that this class starts at 7:45 so you can leave work and still have plenty of time to get there in the right frame of mind. Paulette was a good teacher, too. The class was full but not overly crowded.
The hot yoga is a warm room but not the hottest of the hot yoga’s I’ve visited. Still, the heat accomplished what it should but never left me feeling nauseous or wilted on the mat. The room, the whole place in fact, had a nice aesthetic that adds to the experience.
What impressed me the most is the honor system on which they operate. It forces one to think about the way in which you live your life– being generous, being trusting– in addition to the yoga practice for your body.

This place is awesome. I’ve enjoyed every class I have been to.

Pardon the pun, but I’ve got nothing but gratitude for this place – for the wonderful classes and instructors, for giving me some strength/​flexibility, and definitely for being by-​donation only (suggested $ 12 that you put in a box before class)! Going to Friday morning gentle vinyasa after a short run is a great way to end the week. The weekend vinyasa classes (always very popular) always leave me refreshed and feeling zen for a day of doing nothing. My favorite instructor is the mystical Gemma, who’s everything a yoga teacher should be, always extremely welcoming and encouraging.
There are mats to borrow for those who don’t have them. A minor complaint is that classes often don’t start or end on time. You definitely have to block off 1hr 45 min-​2 hours for the 75 minute class.

I have practiced yoga in both NYC and Princeton, I find Gratitude Yoga one of my fav — I categorize it as more advanced, not as much for beginners. I find it just the right yoga practice for me and Gemma is not only a great yoga teach, but she also always smiles & lifts up the atmosphere and remembers students by name :)

I was in Princeton to work for a week, and made it to the Thursday 6pm class. It was awesome, very challenging with some interesting new poses I hadn’t done before. It was kind of hard to find, but the people were very nice and it was a great class. They loaned me a mat, no charge. I will definitely go back when I am here working.

Been looking for a challenging yoga studio and Gratitude definitely delivers. I have been to many yoga studios in LA and OC and Greg, Gemma, and Jen definitely guarantee great, sweaty, yoga workout. They teach yoga with a mix of Pilates in a pretty heated room.
Cost: $ 12 donation (amazing price)
Changing room available
Cubbies available for items
Yoga mats available to borrow: free but very stinky — even the «clean» ones
Bring a towel… you WILL sweat
Use back entrance (follow the signs) it’s behind the tea shop

First yoga session since moving to Princeton. Decided to try the Friday 5pm Vinyasa Yoga class with 2 of my friends. The entrance is somewhat hidden in a narrow alley with a propped sign that says «Gratitude Yoga».
Upon entering, we were greeted by our instructor Greg. He asked if it was our first time doing yoga and suggested that the class can be quite intense. And intense it was. In a serene dark lit medium sized room, we did downward dog, cobra, warrior I/​II/​III, and a variety of body contortions for what seemed like eternity (a whole hour). Greg was very attentive, motivational, and took the time to adjust/​correct our stances/​positions as necessary. By the end, I was drenched in sweat and it seemed every muscle in my body was fully stretched out.
There’s a suggested $ 12 donation per class. Fun energetic crowd. Instantly made some friends with the other yoga-​ers. The owner Gemma was also very friendly and warm and I have been receiving email alerts from her for various outdoor yoga in the garden events.