The Truth About ClassPass (and Why It’s Hurting Small Studios Like Ours)

Here’s the thing…

We want to talk about ClassPass.

We totally get it - from a user perspective, it seems like a win. Cheap classes, the freedom to hop from studio to studio, no long-term commitment.

It’s especially appealing if you’re on a budget or exploring new ways to move your body.

We get it. We’ve used it too.

But from a studio and teacher perspective, things look very different.

The Human Cost of a “Good Deal”

We’re a small, family-run business. Every class you take, every mat you roll out, every incense we light - it’s all built on heart, late nights, and a deep love for creating a safe space for you to move, breathe, and belong.

When you book through ClassPass, a huge chunk of what you pay doesn’t actually go to us. In many cases, teachers end up earning as little as £3.50 per person - less than minimum wage - to show up, teach, prepare, clean, and hold space.

That’s not sustainable.

Not for the teacher who’s invested thousands of pounds (and years) into their training, and not for the small studio trying to cover rent, heating, insurance, admin, and the occasional cup of coffee that helps fuel it all.

Every discounted class that comes through ClassPass makes it harder for us to survive long-term.

It might seem like a small thing, but the ripple effect is huge.

Behind Every Studio Is a Human Story

There’s something else we want to talk about - reviews.

It’s easy to forget that behind every class, every teacher, and every studio is a human being doing their best. A single low-star review might feel like a momentary opinion to the person writing it, but for a small business, it can have a lasting impact.

Here’s the truth: we are humans behind these businesses. We show up even when we’re tired, we teach even when we’re worried about rent, and we care - deeply - about every person who walks through our doors.

One careless comment - perhaps about a class feeling “off” or a teacher making a small mistake - can lower a studio’s rating, affect how visible its classes are on ClassPass, AND deeply discourage the teacher who poured their energy, care, and attention into that hour.

Most people don’t realise how personal teaching can be. When a review cuts harshly, it doesn’t just touch the business - it hits the heart of the teacher, the one who’s there early setting up mats, staying late to tidy up, showing up through exhaustion or doubt because they care about their students.

What might take a few seconds to write on class pass, could take a teacher much longer to recover from.

How You Can Help?

We’re not here to guilt-trip anyone - just to start a conversation.

If you love your local studio, if you love your teachers, here are a few ways you can support them directly:

• Book directly through the studio whenever possible. Your full payment goes to the people actually running and teaching your class.

• Leave thoughtful reviews on Google or the studio’s own platform - these make a huge difference.
  

• Share your favourite classes with friends. Word of mouth is gold for small studios.
  

• Be kind. Remember that teachers are humans, not algorithms. We have off days, just like everyone else.

A Final Thought

We love what we do. We love seeing you walk out of class smiling, glowing, a little taller. We’re endlessly grateful for this community - it’s the reason we keep going.

All we ask is this: when you book your next class, pause for a moment and consider where your money and energy go.

Because your choices - your clicks, your stars, your support - truly shape the wellbeing of your local yoga community.