Sandy L.
Google
I've taken classes in the Soho location and always loved it up until my class with Amanda Hudson last night. The vibe was just so different - a few of us in the class couldn't follow along her instructions and she was condescending about it. Let me go into detail:
Her exercises to be fair were more complex but she could've provided more visual examples instead of managing her playlist which was loud (I was used to the more relaxed and still burning vibe of the studio and her class was more like upbeat/clubby/STRESSFUL which spiked my cortisol level). She also could've added language to help us connect our mind and body (i.e. telling us where we should be feeling the burn and adjusting your foot like "make sure the bottom of your foot is flat on the box, step your right foot out, squat, and then right foot back up on the box, check to make sure we're all getting it, then add another layer to intensify). Instead, she was going fast and blamed it on the students for picking a level they don't qualify for and speaking to us like dogs screaming DOWNNN, STAYYY, UPP. She also DID NOT ask if she could touch us and pull our bodies up, etc. and she did so aggressively while YELLING at us. A few of us after class were so upset and agreed that she was so mean. She also told me to turn my head if I didn't understand her instructions like I didn't speak English but when I turned my head, barely any of the girls in class was following and she was so busy correcting everyone and running back to her playlist.
Another thing she said during class was "I know you hate me and that's ok! blame it on the studio, this is their method" and I disagree because all the other instructors I've taken classes with were much more gentler, kind, and got their points across without making us feel like we're not good enough for the class.
She even had the audacity to come up to me and my friend after class to "encourage" us to take a lower level class to get the basics down until we're ready for the "fancy" stuff. That was SO condescending and uncalled for. There were at least 4 of us complaining about her after and agreed we would NOT come back especially for her classes.
This was my favorite studio in the city but it seems the vibe has changed so on to the next best thing!
TLDR: Do not recommend taking Amanda Hudson's class.