Pros
- fun environment (other teachers & mainly students) - CPY is everywhere - upbeat sequences, great workout - often students get hired on as staff bc they like your vibe (also a con)
Cons
TL;DR: CPY cuts corners in every way possible - minimal staffing, old/broken equipment like ancient computers/laptops, no formal cleaning staff, hiring students who are always in studio so they’re doing work off the clock, demanding more/paying less/giving less hours. - high, high turnover (3-6 mos). In just my 1st year, there were 3 changes of all management staff - managers with no leadership skills - managers who make a bit more than minimum wage + commission - teachers who make $14-16/hr even in San Francisco Bay Area! It’s why many classes are subbed out - when other studios make more than CPY, instructors will cancel. - TT coaches who have barely been teaching yoga for a year. Few coaches are ERYT’s. - A company and many employees who don’t embrace the true principles of yoga - it’s 24 Hour Fitness in sheep’s skin. - no continuity between studios or even management teams. Be prepared to have changes that are full 180s. - management who only cares about bottom line - cutting labor costs illegally, getting cheap products that break down frequently, asking teachers to do everything from reception to sales to retail. Hire a front desk person! - the main thing CPY does is sell memberships that lead to teacher training or other packages. They don’t care who gets into TT as long as you pay! -They tell some really inexperienced people that they should teach, within months of first starting yoga. - studio politics / favoritism is key. - they nickel and dime even SET members charging them for towels and their memberships (which should be free!) - upping class rates, membership, mat rental, towel costs w/ days notice, while not increasing staff pay. - there’s no real focus on relaxation when classes are back to back, no one hangs out after to build real community. Classes now only have 15 min between, so no real cleaning happens. As it was, some studios are lucky to see a mop once every 2 weeks. - go to other actual yoga studios and find they practice much more exciting sequences and better form - I’ve known folks who’ve gotten pretty hurt from class. The lack of instruction is pretty dangerous, especially as it comes to inversions. You can tell who didn’t get their TT from CPY.