The workings of the universe are fucked up
Not too long ago I left a comment on someone's blog saying how I detest big yoga centres, "MacDonald" yoga so to speak. The fast food of meditation, the Ohm express. Whatever.
There is obviously a reason why I made that comment.
You see I've been part of the entire sick commercialized yoga world.
I commited myself to a one year contract June last year, (Mama Hoon and Drummer Girl, I can't believe it's been a year since we signed!) and went regularly for the first 7 months. Yes, things were good, work was frivolous, tai tai hour yoga classes were a daily affair. I went mainly for combat yoga in the early stages because the instructor was very good and I liked the marriage of high impact workout and yoga stretches after. Alas, Vijay left in November, much to the dismay of many a ladies at the centre. He was supposed to come back after his little stint in Bangkok, but we never saw him again.
Combat yoga classes just went downhill after that, and I started turning to dance, pilates and hatha yoga. In retrospect, I did alot of everything else and alot less yoga. I was never impressed with the service there, and always felt it was way below par, terrible actually, more so since it was the flagship centre in Asia. Yoga representatives lingering around, hounding you to upgrade your membership, having to book classes 2 days in advance, because if you don't, you don't get a place in the class (I am quite sure they over sold their membership), phonelines for booking being constantly engaged, being a stick in the mud when it came to contract suspension or transfer. So much for a place that encourages holistic well being and relaxation.
As of today, I have a month and a half to go before my contract finishes. I am trying to transfer this to my mother's friend, so she can make use of it before she flies back to england again. Might as well give it to someone who has the time to go for classes everyday and fully utilize the $200 a month (Bloody expensive on top of that). I have been trying to get in touch with the membership manager since a week ago, finally getting a chance to speak with her today, after 6 calls to the office. I have now found out:
1. I do not have a one time transfer as promised by my representative, who incidentally has left the centre 6 months ago
2. I must write a termination letter to state the reasons why I want my membership to end on the said date on contact. You see, they practive auto-renewal. So if you fail to write them a letter saying you want to finish on the date stated in your contract (!!!) they will just renew your membership and you will be committed for another year. WHAT A FUCKING SCAM!
I have since been told that most gyms operate on this system.
This solidifies my resentment towards "MacDonald" yoga and any other such establishment.
I'll NEVER pay anyone anything ever again for the sake of fitness.
PS: Mama Hoon and Drummer girl, please note. Write your letters.
Not too long ago I left a comment on someone's blog saying how I detest big yoga centres, "MacDonald" yoga so to speak. The fast food of meditation, the Ohm express. Whatever.
There is obviously a reason why I made that comment.
You see I've been part of the entire sick commercialized yoga world.
I commited myself to a one year contract June last year, (Mama Hoon and Drummer Girl, I can't believe it's been a year since we signed!) and went regularly for the first 7 months. Yes, things were good, work was frivolous, tai tai hour yoga classes were a daily affair. I went mainly for combat yoga in the early stages because the instructor was very good and I liked the marriage of high impact workout and yoga stretches after. Alas, Vijay left in November, much to the dismay of many a ladies at the centre. He was supposed to come back after his little stint in Bangkok, but we never saw him again.
Combat yoga classes just went downhill after that, and I started turning to dance, pilates and hatha yoga. In retrospect, I did alot of everything else and alot less yoga. I was never impressed with the service there, and always felt it was way below par, terrible actually, more so since it was the flagship centre in Asia. Yoga representatives lingering around, hounding you to upgrade your membership, having to book classes 2 days in advance, because if you don't, you don't get a place in the class (I am quite sure they over sold their membership), phonelines for booking being constantly engaged, being a stick in the mud when it came to contract suspension or transfer. So much for a place that encourages holistic well being and relaxation.
As of today, I have a month and a half to go before my contract finishes. I am trying to transfer this to my mother's friend, so she can make use of it before she flies back to england again. Might as well give it to someone who has the time to go for classes everyday and fully utilize the $200 a month (Bloody expensive on top of that). I have been trying to get in touch with the membership manager since a week ago, finally getting a chance to speak with her today, after 6 calls to the office. I have now found out:
1. I do not have a one time transfer as promised by my representative, who incidentally has left the centre 6 months ago
2. I must write a termination letter to state the reasons why I want my membership to end on the said date on contact. You see, they practive auto-renewal. So if you fail to write them a letter saying you want to finish on the date stated in your contract (!!!) they will just renew your membership and you will be committed for another year. WHAT A FUCKING SCAM!
I have since been told that most gyms operate on this system.
This solidifies my resentment towards "MacDonald" yoga and any other such establishment.
I'll NEVER pay anyone anything ever again for the sake of fitness.
PS: Mama Hoon and Drummer girl, please note. Write your letters.