Consumer watchdog receives 286 complaints over sudden closure of Hong Kong yoga chain

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has received 286 complaints over the abrupt closure of yoga chain Hotstone Yoga, which shut its doors on Thursday.

Hotstone Yoga in Causeway Bay. Photo: Hotstone Yoga.

The Consumer Council said on Friday that the complaints involved around HK$3.9 million, adding that the Customs department was investigating the case.

Hotstone Yoga’s Instagram and Facebook pages were not working when HKFP checked on Friday.

According to its website, the yoga chain has branches in Central, Causeway Bay, Jordan, Kwun Tong, Tsuen Wan, and Sha Tin.

A companies database states that Hotstone Yoga Limited was established in 2016. Its first branch opened in Kwun Tong, followed by Tsuen Wan.

The yoga studio specialises in hot yoga, a type of yoga in which students practice in heated rooms for stimulated blood flow. The chain promotes itself as the first in Hong Kong to offer hot stone yoga.

A notice posted outside the Kwun Tong branch when reporters visited on Thursday stated that due to “business operations and other actual circumstances, [Hotstone Yoga] has decided to cease operations after careful consideration.”

The notice was signed off by a law firm that said it had been appointed by the yoga company.

Hotstone Yoga in Kwun Tong. Photo: Hotstone Yoga.

“After ceasing operations, Hotstone will not offer any classes, treatment, packages or other services,” it stated in Chinese.

Staff will be paid their September salaries as usual, the notice said, adding that staff can enquire with “relevant government departments” regarding employees’ rights.

Local media reported that a “victims’ group” consisting of students who had unused lessons at Hotstone Yoga had around 500 members.

Some said the company’s staff were still selling classes ahead of the closure, raising questions about potential fraud.

One woman said she spent around HK$11,800 in July on a package of 60 lessons with three free bonus sessions, leaving her with 44 unused classes.

Another said she still had 19 classes to go, valued at around HK$5,000.

A cleaner at one of the yoga studios told a customer that she was aware of the closure beforehand, but had been ordered not to reveal the news, according to Ming Pao.