Underground Studios

I have been practicing at Underground Studios for over three years. I had dabbled in yoga (mostly hot) previously, but I had never practiced consistently. I am really amazed at the life changes that a consistent yoga practice has helped bring about for me, and I know that it wouldn’t have been possible without Ben, Jules, and the other wonderful staff at Underground.
Underground seeks to combine the physical, energetic, and mental aspects of yoga, and in my opinion they couldn’t do much better. I have certainly grown in all of these respects since I started practicing at the studio. However, I know there is always room for more growth, which I why I am excited to be a part of this community.

After trying several local yoga studios, I bought a discounted trial package at Underground Yoga. I am happy to say that I have finally found the place that is right for me! I have been going there for about 6 months and the workouts are great and varied as well. Ben, Niav and Jules are professionals who guide me through a fantastic practice that includes meditation. They take the time to give me individual instruction when needed too.
Also, I have never been to a yoga practice, anywhere else, where I have learned so much about the art itself. I am very grateful that I have found Underground Studios!

I love the classes at Underground Studios. All of the teachers have a unique style that I can appreciate and learn from. I have purchased 2 groupons to the studio– one at the old site and one at the new next to russos which is beautiful. I would be a regular visitor if I could afford the normal class packages. I highly recommend signing up for Ben’s newsletter as well where he talks about meditation, energy and other positive info.

Great yoga studio and community!
I first signed up through a Groupon, and I had a wonderful time as a beginner. I appreciated the easygoing, humorous, friendly yet professional atmosphere so much.
I highly recommend it.

Yoga and more! I started yoga at Underground Studios with a special monthly price when it was on Arsenal Street and have had a great learning experience in an awesome and supportive environment.
Since Underground Studios moved to Pleasant Street in Watertown, the space and parking has improved and feels even more inviting. I am now an annual member and go as often as I can.
Ben and Jules provide alternative moves throughout their classes and give individual attention as well. I feel so much more connected and mindful practicing yoga and learning more than just the moves. It’s good energy!!!

Yoga has become a way of life for me and my fiancé thanks to Underground Studios. I initially bought him the Groupon as a way for him to de-​stress, and though I was never really into yoga, I decided to join him– why not?
That purchase on a whim has changed our lives for the better. The extremely knowledgeable, ethical, and professional teachers are also genuinely compassionate and relatable. No creepy cult like vibe here, just pure passion for yoga and sharing yoga with others. Underground is immaculate, calming, and so well run, but with this charming and comfortable atmosphere that lets you know they don’t take themselves too seriously!
Would I like more classes scheduled at different times? Yes, definitely. I am hoping that as they grow they can offer more classes. But I am willing to rearrange my schedule to attend classes– that’s how much I appreciate them.
Ben has gone above and beyond to support our growth in our practices, and we are so grateful. His and Jules’s classes are a highlight of my week.
If you are looking for a warm, supportive, unpretentious environment in which you can explore yoga and your spiritual path, this is the right place!

Ben and staff make every effort to ensure you’re comfortable and on-​pace with everyone in the class. I had never done yoga before, but got the 20 class groupon to try it out. I’ve been converted into a yoga lover because of the encouraging, welcoming and challenging enviornment they’ve created at Underground. Since they moved locations and are now off the MBTA bus routes, I’m no longer at the studio. I’m not excited to have to find some place new… and already know I won’t like any studio as much as I’ve liked it here. A++

Overall Im very pleased with Underground Studios, the staff is very nice and always willing to answer questions, assist with form during practice, note modifications, etc. I purchased a 20 class groupon and am very excited to finish and keep practicing here.
Ive practiced at YMCA’s, the Golden Monkey (JP), and other studios around the Boston and Worcester area… overall the studio is average size, very clean, and weekend classes fill up quick so get there early as I have yet to see how monday-​friday classes are. By getting to class early (10 – 15 mins) your guaranteed a parking spot as parking is tricky. The studio is in a mix-​use commercial building with other tenants, located off a main street, and next to Russo’s market so Sunday parking can be tricky if Russo’s customers park outside of the Russo’s lot.
Today (Sundays AM) class we had a sub yet the class was Vinyasa based, I was knew the poses, nothing to crazy yet worked up a good temp as haven’t done this type of mat class in a while as Ive been practicing Ariel elsewhere.

I learned about Underground Studios thanks to Groupon. I purchased a 20-​class deal.
I went to two classes so far, a hatha basics with Ben last Saturday and a hatha flow with Lisa today. I loved both classes very much. I’m a little rusty as I haven’t practiced yoga since May, but it felt very good. Hatha is the original form of yoga, I don’t like any of the westernized variations and the classes offered at Underground Studios are very similar to the ones I had with a yogi in India.
Even after my Groupon deal ends I’ll make sure to go to this studio once a week to have my postures corrected and I’ll practice yoga at home doing surya namaskar.

I really love this place. I just started getting into yoga, but I think I found a place that is just right for me. Ben (and all the teachers) really work hard and it shows. The place is neat and clean. They are very understanding and work to make the student comfortable. I’ve been going to the intro classes, and I have to say that I can feel myself getting more flexible and it is really helping me out. The living social deal was a steal, and I will be sticking around post deal, because it just feels really great to be there.
Don’t be scared to try this place if you have never done yoga, because they make it easy. The staff is A+ this place really is a great jem!

Very nice studio and Angelina (yoga teacher) was very friendly and takes her time to show students the poses. I like that she taught breathing technics in the beginning of the class. Personally I prefer heated stuio, so that may the only reason I would choose other studio over Underground.

5 stars, all the way. I don’t know why I drove past Underground Studios for so long without checking it out, but thankfully a Living Social deal drew me in and I’ve been a regular ever since. I’ve been practicing yoga on and off since I was a teenager, but it never transitioned to become a more permanent fixture in my life until I started taking classes here (and I credit them entirely for this). A few reasons why I think Underground is awesome:
–Ben (the studio owner) is the best. Not only is he a super nice guy, but you can tell that’s he’s actually invested in you as a student and wants to make sure that you’re getting as much as possible out of his class, and your practice in general. He’s always around to answer questions before and after class and even through email, and he’s gone above and beyond for me on a number of occasions (burning me yoga CDs for a vacation, helping me to research studios in different cities that I’ll be visiting). You just don’t get that everywhere.
–It’s not just Ben that’s great too, all of the teachers there bring something different to the table, so it’s definitely worth taking classes with everyone (a special shout-​out to Jules, who’s especially awesome).
–The classes focus on more than just asana and devote substantial attention to breath work and meditation. I was really surprised to see that another Unilocal reviewer didn’t agree – I’ve just never found Underground to skimp on either. Pranayama is incorporated throughout the practice, savasanas are lengthy, and every class ends with a meditation.
–Class sizes are small so you actually get individual attention and don’t end up feeling like just a face (or body) in the crowd.
–It’s not hot. Not that there’s anything wrong with hot yoga, but over the past few years it seems almost impossible to find a studio that isn’t a heated to a sauna-​like temperature. The room is comfortably warm, just not «summer day in the middle of a heatwave» hot. A major plus for me.
–The location is great (disclaimer: I only live 2 minutes away). Again, I have to disagree with a previous review that wrote about parking being difficult. Yes, there’s not a parking lot, but I’ve been driving to Underground 3 – 5 times a week for almost a year and I’ve never once had a problem finding a spot.
I could go on and on about what a great studio this is, but it’s probably best to check it out for yourself – and don’t wait as long as I did!

I got my feet wet at Underground Studios thanks to a great Living Social deal and I am so happy that my first experience was here. I went in feeling like I would be totally lost and embarrassed because I must be the last person on earth who hadn’t tried yoga yet which was totally not what happened. I was immediately greeted warmly by Ben who helped set me up and always made me feel comfortable and welcome. Over the month I had the Living Social deal, I admit that I feel in love with the challenge and balance that yoga presented me with and am certain that it is due to the incredible atmosphere of this studio. Due to financial strains, I haven’t been able to continue going to classes, but I am sure to find my way there again once I am able.

Good studio. Clean and unpretentious. The classes here are great. I sometimes prefer the option to go into more advanced poses and I wish that the instructors would encourage that.
Parking is never an issue for me and I like that is 5 minutes from my apartment. They also have a lot of evening classes which are very convenient for me. Another perk is that mats, blocks, blankets and straps are provided.
The only con is that space is limited in the studio and there aren’t a lot of options on Friday and Sunday.

I’m going to have to shadow what Karen D. had to say regarding Underground Studios here.
I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now and was super excited to find this studio on a deal website (Living Social?) Much to say the least, I ended up not returning.
The studio is immaculately clean. The owner, Ben, is super nice. But… there are a few reasons why I won’t be back despite having already paid for my sessions here via above said deal:
1. There aren’t enough classes that fit my schedule.
2. Ben’s teaching style just doesn’t do it for me. Not to say anything negative about his style, it just doesn’t work for me.
3. There really isn’t much parking for those of us with vehicles, since this is right on Arsenal Street in Watertown. There’s no parking lot and the only parking is what you can sort of find along the street, which isn’t much here. For those of you that are coming here for the first time, it’s right next to the UFood Grill (old KnowFat).
On that note, I feel like I’ve wasted the rest of my voucher, but it’s no big deal. I’d rather go to a studio that works for me better than force myself to do a yoga session that doesn’t sit well for me. After all, when practicing, your yoga should always be about you.

This is a small studio in Watertown, between the Arsenal Mall and Watertown Square. Ambiance is pretty good, but on the modern side.
The yoga classes are taught in the Hatha style, some flow, some not. Expect very deep stretching. The flow class was challenging, with the flow focused on multiple repetitions timed with the breath. Most classes are an hour/​15 min long.
The classes are unheated (that is the room is warm, but not above normal room temperature). The floors here are made of a rubber material, which actually feels good because it’s warmer and softer than the traditional hardwood floor. They provide all basic props… yoga mats, straps, blocks, blankets. No rental fee for yoga mats.
Because the space is small, you are best off coming to the studio dressed for yoga. They have some storage cubes, and one bathroom where you can change. If you’re a woman and forgot a hairband, they have some in the bathroom (nice touch, I always forget mine!).
Bottom line: I don’t live near enough this place to make the trek on a regular basis, but I’ll come back once in a while, or if I’m working in the area.

It’s not you, it’s me. I tried this on a Groupon and found it didn’t light my yoga candle. The place is nice, clean, and has a good Zen feel. The bathroom has a shower and even the nice touch of ponytail holders which is a critical for us longer hair gals when we forgot to bring one from home. The owner is very welcoming and friendly. The instruction was thorough.
It just wasn’t for me. I tend to go for the hot, intensive power yogas. The yoga here isn’t heated and had no real intensity to it. It would check off a box for one of my light workout days, but I don’t need to go to a studio for that.
There also aren’t enough classes for me to fit my style and schedule.

«Ben is honestly the best yoga teacher that I have worked with. His style is deeply rooted in the tradition, basing asanas on breath, mantra, and dynamic movement versus a purely physical yoga class. His style of leading a class is grounded, calm, and centered; he passes this energy on to his students. He is able to clearly speak about a correction that needs to be made, allowing the student to find the correct alignment within their own physical ability. In addition, when he sees a common mistake amongst the class, he will take a few minutes to identify the error and demonstrate the correct approach. He is thoughtful and consistent in his delivery, and overall Underground Studios is smoothly run and operated!
I am grateful to be able to learn and grow in my practice at Underground.

Don’t be fooled, Watertown’s Underground Studios are actually two stories above ground. When you enter the space to leave your shoes and fill up with water, head up the stairs to the studio/​training space.
I ventured out for David’s total body conditioning class tonight and I’ll preface any conclusions about my workout by saying that, a mere 40 minutes later, my arms are shaking– I will be sore tomorrow.
Anyway, check-​in was chill (non-​existent), and David welcomed me and gave me an idea of what to expect. Three other women made it to the class, and it was clear they’d all bonded over shared sore abdomens over the past few sessions.
I had my mat and skidless towel in tow, but all supplies were provided; we began and ended class with some stretches on a mat, and did three rounds of circuit strength training.
David made sure to spend extra time checking on me and spotting me when I used free weights– not my strong suit. The mirror at the front of the studio helped me keep my form in line too.
The space felt more like a gym/​training space than a yoga studio, so I’m not sure what the mood is like during a yoga class. With a drop in rate of $ 16/​class and a somewhat limited schedule, I’m not sure I’ll stop to try the yoga.
I was feeling like $ 16 is a lot for a 50 minute conditioning class, too, but when I think about it, I was basically sharing a personal training session with three other people– so it’s actually quite reasonable.
We’ll see if I can move tomorrow. If it’s a «good» kind of sore, maybe I’ll pop in in the future when I have the funds.

So pumped that I am the first to review the Underground…
After years of practicing yoga with Ben Mclellan, I was elated and relieved that he opened his own studio in Watertown. Ben brings an energy and awareness to your yoga practice that can only be truly realized through the experience– patiently and skillfully guiding you through your practice while leaving behind the ego and competitiveness that has no place in a yoga studio, but is so often apparent.
With a warm and inviting atmosphere, and a growing staff of experienced and caring practitioners (fitness, Thai massage, nutritional services, yoga), it is always a pleasure to be in the studio– whether I’m training with Ben, or attending one of his Hatha Flow yoga classes. The focus at the Underground is on expanding your awareness, and equipping you with the tools and guidance necessary to really connect with your self.
Whether you need a great trainer, want to expand your yoga practice, or are looking for a new way to stay centered and in-​shape, I couldn’t speak more highly of Ben Mclellan and Underground Studios.