Namaskar Yoga | Chicago, IL

LOCATION: Pretty straight forward directions through the Lakeview neighborhood to get to Namaskar and they had big yoga signs for you to see it right away too. Street parking only (some metered, but non-metered is nearby), and as with most Chicago street parking... Read your signs. They're near Wrigley, so show up early on game days to be sure you have a spot.  
COST: $16 drop-in, cash or cards 

STUDIO: Loved this space—they curtained off the front 1/5 of the room for check-in and merch (which included boxes of free Toms Toothpaste, score!). Beyond the curtain was a narrow, long room with a bathroom, dressing room, water, and props at the back.    

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Yoga Hour: This energetic one-hour class is the ideal way to sneak in some yoga over your lunch break or between the day’s activities. Expect a good flow addressing flexibility, strength, balance, connection to the breath and mental focus. Recharge your spirit, reconnect with your body and leave feeling great!

INSTRUCTOR: We were suppose to have Jody, but she had a sub this day... Shawn is a certified yoga instructor who completed the 200-hour Yogaview Teacher Training under the amazing guidance of Quinn Kearney, Geri Bleier, Claire Mark, and Tom Quinn. She has also completed a 35-hour teacher training with Seane Corn and participated in multiple workshops with Sianna Sherman, Natasha Rizopolous, Ray Long and Maty Ezraty to continue to deepen her practice and the teaching element of yoga. Her fun, challenging and inspiring vinyasa flow classes, encourage students to become in tune with their bodies through strength, alignment and breath. Prior to becoming a yoga instructor, Shawn was in marketing and communications and holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst and Northwestern University. She lives in Chicago with her family and dog.

CONTACT: Namaskar Yoga

Girls day in Chicago! Girls day in Chicago! A couple months ago I asked two of my gal pals (and amazing yoga instructors) to join me for a day in Chicago. Since we all work for ourselves we could go during the week, which made the day all the better... like we were breaking the law or something :)

We started our morning off with a gorgeous day for a road trip north—blue skies, sunshine, music to sing along to at the top of our lungs, and enough conversation to fill up a 3-day drive if need be. First on our agenda was yoga at Namaskar—we chose it because of it's walking distance to all our plans, the timing so we didn't have to wake up at the buttcrack of dawn to drive, and because none of us have been here before.

When I go to new spaces for classes, it's funny how often I have Hayli + Jodi's voices in my brain reminding me how to adjust in a pose or help out a class I'm not getting into enough (knowing I can modify to take it to the next level or pull it back to suit my body). To actually go to a class I'm going to review with them was a bit of a game changer.

When we arrived, Rachel at the front desk checked us in. She was awesome—I actually tried to recruit her on girls day, because you could tell she was good people. The instructor from the class just getting out was surrounded by students asking her questions. I figured that's a good sign, because she perked the curiosity of her class. As Rachel set up her mat, the three of us followed suit when the instructor said, "Is this how you normally set up the room?" I didn't realize she was subbing someone's class when I responded with, "This is our first time here, we have no idea."

She started us instantly in Balasana (child's pose). I definitely was missing the centering time common in a lot of classes, but starting in child's pose interested me because it's my favorite pose to open up my body. Stretching out the back and knees, recognizing if my hips are shifting to the left or right (usually the left), I always stretch my arms out to open my shoulder (again, my left shoulder is insanely tight, and child's pose opens up both my shoulders nicely), and resting my forehead on the ground is—for a lot of people—immediately calming. I think I'll make this part of my practice before the instructor comes in the room, while everyone sets up their mats.

Then the music started... an odd mash-up of current, American music with a familiar, Indian song. I enjoyed it until the lyrics ended up being english—and from there the music was 100% American. I tried to approach it as a challenge to tune-out the distraction, but when I find myself tapping my toe or singing along... the challenge starts to irritate me. This is why I like instrumental or lyrics in a different language—it doesn't take me away from my practice, it adds to it and guides it.

Shawn then took us through a whirlwind of poses during our hour with her. I found her instruction lacking—almost empty. There was no sense of nurturing coming from her, just an urgency to get through the poses as quickly as possible and run out the door (which is exactly what she did after class). Half the poses seemed to be back bends (so many locusts) with out any counter poses to balance out the body. I found myself going into forward bends on my own to protect my back. She did a few adjustments—one to my friend I knew was unnecessary (which made me cringe because she was adjusting an instructor).

We did a series that had us go from Trikonasana (triangle) directly into Virabhadrasana III (warrior 3). My other friend put it best, "Straight leg pose to straight leg pose isn't natural" and I believe it can lead to injuries if you don't know how to protect yourself. At that point my back was already sensitive from locust and lots of single-leg poses (ever since I hurt my sacrum, I know I have to balance out my hips if the class spends a lot of time on one leg... normally I know to do that regardless of instruction, but we were moving so quickly there wasn't really time for it).

Our last pose was an inversion option—this made me happy since I've been craving inversions. I opted for a modified forearm stand using blocks. I love this because you don't actually have to use much arm strength (allowing you to build it without injuring yourself) + my tight shoulders do not enjoy this rotation (so I can open them up gently this way too). Meanwhile, my back enjoys a massage + reversed gravity (so-to-speak) and, of course, the numerous other benefits that come with an inversion. I'm hoping to work myself up to kicking up, like the third picture, eventually. 

[via]

Then we ended with savasana, where I opted for my regular legs up the wall. Ever since I took a yin yoga workshop where the instructor noted legs up the wall as one of the most beneficial poses for your body, I've chosen this as my savasana (unless the instructor is more specific). Shawn woke us up with, what I believe was, a digital chime over the stereo. Which, honestly, was the perfect metaphor for this class.

Before I was done cleaning up my stuff the instructor apologized for rushing out the door. I like to think she had such a busy day she couldn't invest herself in any part of it—maybe it was a one-time thing? I don't know. I do know I'd like to try other instructors at Namaskar, because I feel our class was a reflection of the instructor's day and not the studio.

We chatted with Rachel after class again + then headed off to the rest of our day. The three of us all seem to be on the same page with our experience. And to be honest, I felt bad choosing this class since I had friends with me... You know, when you plan the day out you want everything to be perfect. At the same time, when you're with such amazing women, if something isn't perfect it just adds to the story of your adventure together and you wouldn't trade that for the world. I absolutely adore Hayli + Jodi and I'm SO grateful I spent a full day with them in Chicago. I'll share our day in pics/captions below.

Thank you Namaskar and Rachel for a lovely start to our adventure—namaste.

Yum Yum (Hayli) and Ja Ja (Jodi) — my nicknames for them after today!

Props to the left // Water, bathroom + changing space on the right

Asado Coffee — I drink decaf, and it was so good I had to make sure it was actually decaf.

TATTOOS!

My elephant logo (NEOI + Mowgli) + Ahimsa (sanskrit for nonviolence toward all living things Ⓥ)

What an honor to design Hayli's tattoo—
(based on The Harmonious Brothers » Bird = Jodi, Monkey = Hayli, Elephant = Anni)

Our amazing tattoo artist (and Hayli's friend), Gentleman Joel

Chicago Diner!!!

THE best finale to our day—sharing this chocolate shake on our drive home
>droooool<

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Yoga Circle | Chicago, IL

I'd like to start this entry with a disclaimer to all yoga teachers, which I should start wearing on my forehead: When you impart your wisdom on me it most likely won't sink in until about two days to two weeks later. I apologize for blank stares, not fully appreciating your teachings in the moment, and not saying anything that would imply I'm intelligent. I promise your efforts are not wasted, and when the light bulb goes off it's a wonderful moment... for me. lol. 

LOCATION: The past 24 hours was spent with my older sister living large in her exec hotel room at the Palomar Hotel (which, by the way, supplied their guests with a yoga mat, nice!)—I'm a lucky lady. That being said, I found the closest yoga studio, as usual. This was a 15 minute walk from the hotel, and very easy to find. Although the signage isn't obvious, if you know you're suppose to be in 401 W. Ontario, you'll figure it out. There wasn't free parking, but plenty of paid street parking in front of or near to the studio. 

STUDIO:  I'm impressed, when I walked up to a typical city building you'd find near the magnificent mile I assumed corporate-y aesthetics to appease all the different businesses inside. But this was more like the cool, brick loft you've always wanted to own. Entering the building it was a bit confusing. As I walked up a half story to find the elevator I wondered where the stairs were—but they weren't obvious to me. Once on level two I was glad I knew it was room 210, so I could navigate the space like a hotel. Although, when you get to the door, you know you're at the right place. The door was locked, so I assumed the instructor wasn't there yet and took a couple pictures. Luckily the instructor came out and found me standing there—she started setting me up with forms, payment, and explaining the space. The bathrooms are actually down the hall outside of the studio—so I would recommend using them before you go to the studio... which is always locked. After I set up inside I heard the doorbell and realized there was no need to be standing outside the door from the get go. Inside is a small check-in desk with a hallway down to two rooms for practice. Off the hallway is also a changing room. The inside was warm, eclectic in the little discoveries of decor, and set up for Iyengar-style with lots of props, including wall props. Did not see that coming—but I'm excited to explore. And, for the record, when I left the studio, I followed one of the students who went for the stairs—ahhh, if you enter the building and immediately turn left, you'll eventually get to the stairs. I turned right towards the half-story stairs in front of me (which takes you to the elevator). 

CLASS DESCRIPTION:  Level 1-2: (Level 1) On-going classes for beginners. Emphasis on developing the fundamental postures. (Level 2) Introductory experience a pre-requisite. Basic postures are refined and intermediate poses are introduced.

INSTRUCTOR: Brooks: Brooks reveres yoga, and sees it as an art and science of celestial proportions that also connects deeply into one's earthly nature. Her classes present an opportunity to explore physical and psychological space. And you are likely to hear a poem. Learning yoga started in childhood when her grandmother saw it as a way to cool the grandkids down before bedtime, and the fires of inquisitiveness that started as seemingly small flames grew into an inferno of epic proportions in her life story—Brooks now teaches yoga full-time! She feels blessed to have learned from many gifted and inspired teachers. A workshop with Yoga Circle director, Gabriel Healpern, had a strong influence, and Brooks came to the Yoga Circle in 2002 where she continues to assist in Gabriel's gentle class weekly, in addition to teaching her regular classes. She is in awe of the voluminous knowledge, and practical wisdom available in the approach to yoga that BKS Iyengar's technique presents. She continues to train with certified Iyengar yoga teachers at Yoga Circle in classes and workshops, and blogs regularly about her personal experience and studies of yoga at brookshall.blogspot.com. 

CONTACT: Yoga Circle

I'm going to start off with the images, because I just adored this space—plus I want you to see what I mean by Iyengar-style room: 

Oh, THAT doorbell, I'm just now seeing it in this picture for the first time, oops

This was the second practice space, we used the bigger room

This is what I mean by Iyengar-style—a pleasant surprise

Cool loft meets yoga studio with lots o' props

I had to include this little detail—put a bird on it! 

I have to admit, I was intimidated... my quickest advice for that moment when you walk into a studio and feel like you're in over your head: Copy what everyone else is doing. If they grab certain props, you do the same. If they set them up differently than you're use to, just do it the same as the others. Any time I haven't done this, I end up wishing I did. It's never set me up for failure, but I have to remind myself that I don't know all there is to know about yoga (duh!)—so it's worth breaking my habits and usually discovering more about my practice by falling in line. 

Brooks. Is. Awesome. She was welcoming from the get go, showed me the space, explained the bathroom location, and after warm-up realized I may have not done this style of yoga and asked if I was comfortable. I couldn't feel more comfortable, thank you so much, Brooks!! 

We started off in a seated position, did our three Oms, and then an invocation to Pantanjali (a call and response chant—luckily I was provided with a cheat sheet, since I didn't know the words). Before we went into standing positions we did some floor stretches, and I remembered the class I took in Hawaii. It was Iyengar-style too (gasp, I lied to you! sorta), but without as many props—if I remember correctly—definitely not the wall props. I digress. I remembered the use of the wall to feel your shoulder blades and alignment while sitting in Dandasana (Staff Pose) and, again, how tight my shoulders really are. Although, I think there's been progress in my right shoulder, h'zah! 

For standing poses we used a chair a lot and a new prop for me, the quarter round block. This was fantastic for arch support—and this is where my disclaimer comes in. When I walked into the studio, Brooks saw my form and I didn't check off any ailments, but asked again anyway (smart teacher, bad student). So I mentioned that my ankle has been swollen for a week or so (I blame the heels I picked out for my little sister's wedding), but that it never hurts, just a little stiff. The whole class revolved around feet! It wasn't til I was driving home that I realized it. So, I apologize Brooks, for saying "Oh yes, feet up the wall felt fabulous for my ankle" when in reality... the whole class did! What is sanskrit for that pose where you put your foot in your mouth? Vacant'asana? ANYWAY! The quarter round block... We stretched our toes out on it, we used it under our arches in standing poses—it was great for the simple awareness of how your foot should be activated. 

Another lovely standing pose moment was when Brooks stopped to bring our attention to the length needed in the forward leg when doing Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle). Before every pose, Brooks would lead by example, and she was really great at showing the subtle shifts in the body to get into the pose correctly—this example specifically. Going into the pose again I was able to open up even more and go further into the pose, it was excellent. 

Once we were laying down on the mat we did some leg stretches, but were instructed to put the strap over different parts of the foot—first, just beneath the toes. Oh! This reminds me—Brooks referred to it as Barbie foot, and then went on (it was really funny, actually) about how there is a new yoga instructor Barbie coming out—and she has a chihuahua... what? Ok. Moving on, Barbie foot, when you stretch the leg with the strap in this position it stretches the front of the leg more... second location was right near the heel, which stretched out the back of the leg more (note to self, I need this for my calves), and last was in the regular placement near the center of the foot—which equally activates both sides of the leg.Very cool. 

The only downfall of the class was I didn't get to use any of the props attached to the wall—but with all the focus on our feet, I definitely can't complain, because it's exactly what I needed. 

We did so much more, but I've lost track... I mean, let's be honest, I am all over the place in this post, lol (and sorry). I'll end with the same poem Brooks read to us at the end of our sivasana. 

Thank you Brooks! 

Yogis, I highly recommend this studio and Brooks' classes.

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

~ Mary Oliver ~

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I.D. Gym | Chicago, IL

LOCATION: This was an easy drive into Chicago, and I found myself in Lincoln Park again. There was a parking lot next to the gym (which the gym had excellent signage), but it was reserved parking for surrounding apartments, I'm guessing. There was open parking along the street right in front though, so no biggie. I got there early, so I ended up paying $3.50 for parking (about 2.5 hours I think).

COST: $24 for the drop-in fee, that I charged.

STUDIO:  This isn't specifically a yoga studio, but a gym. You walk in to check in at the front desk. They offer you free towels, which was great. Once you're checked in, the yoga space is upstairs, so I walked pass the bikes and treadmills and an area for weights. They managed to fit a lot of equipment into a smaller space, and it was well-organized and clean. Upstairs has it's own bathrooms and two classrooms. The bathroom offered up showers (with free shampoo, conditioner, and soap), lockers, toilets, a couple full-length mirrors, sinks with free lotion, and a bench. Pretty great set up we don't normally get in the yoga studios. The actual yoga space you can see in the picture has fresh colors, one wall of mirrors, a wall of cubbies (which was good, since I didn't have a lock for the lockers in the bathroom), a wall of windows that let in great light, and a ceiling full of silk hammocks (so excited!). 

CLASS DESCRIPTION: I.D. Gym is the only place in Chicago you'll find this innovative class, which is a combination of traditional yoga techniques, acrobatics, gymnastics, and dance. Using our silk hammocks you can move deeper into yoga postures, improve your balance and strength, and practice advanced inversions and circus-style tricks. 

INSTRUCTOR: Brent Holten Before 20 years in fitness, other careers were in acting, dance, and culinary arts. He began teaching in the I.D. gym building when it was Jamnastics in 1992 and hasn't left since. We actually had two instructors, but I'm not remembering the second teacher's name, I'm soooo sorry—and we had such a great conversation, I'm a jerk, please connect if you think I'm less of a jerk, lol. 

CONTACT: I.D. Gym's Fly Yoga

I have to say, I'm not too excited about taking yoga classes in gyms. Which isn't fair—if I didn't take yoga classes at my gym originally I wouldn't be where I am today, but, from my experience... Yoga at gyms is strictly for fitness reasons and less about the way of life. There's music thumping from the other class over. It's just a different perspective on yoga, which isn't bad... but it isn't me. I.D. Gym actually does a nice job of combining the best of both worlds. It also helped that I was completely distracted by playing in the silk hammocks. Before we started, both instructors walked around and made sure the hammocks were the proper length for our heights (they're all adjustable by the placement of a carabiner).

There wasn't another class going on in the room over, so no music was bleeding into our room, just the sound of the serene yoga music heard in most classes. Brent had us start by lying on our backs with our feet up  in the hammocks, hands on our bellies, just focusing on our breath. Once we were all settled in, we started warming the body up by doing Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (bridge pose), but instead of pushing up from your feet on the floor, you raised your hips up with your feet still in the hammock. We coordinated our breathing with the movement in and out of bridge pose.

I'm honestly not going to remember the entire sequence of the class, I'm sorry... but I do remember a lot of poses that I can hopefully explain. We learned how to wrap our arms into the hammock and jump up to hold ourselves. This was actually a great demonstration on seeing just how fit those Cirque du Soleil and other aerial artists are... holy crap, I have no core muscles (not to self: you're using your back too much). If you could master just holding your self up in "simple" crunch position, you could then take it another step... jumping up (arms wrapped in the silk hammocks to hold you up) and instead of folding your knees into your chest, you'd pull them up in a V position. Yeah, not me, but those who did it, did it beautifully. If you could master that... then they would pull up into the V and flip themselves over to hang. I SO wanted to do this, but I just didn't have the arm strength or core for it... which I think is exciting, because it's an easy starting point to watch yourself improve the more you do this class.

Mastering the upside down V in the turquoise shirt. Crunching in the pink shirt. 

We did some great hamstring stretches with one foot in the hammock and leaning over to touch the toe. Imagine your propped your foot up on a ballet bar... side bend to your toes, forward bend to your toes, and then twist towards your toes. All while holding your balance, which was easier than I expected, but you know you're working some muscles to keep yourself there. I should also point out, since I twisted my sacrum in March, my left hamstring has tightened up (don't worry mom, I'm working with my chiropractor and instructors to fix it up). My point is, I never felt like I was setting myself up to over stretch something by default of the hammock. As long as I respected how far I could go into a pose (like any other yoga class) I could control what I was doing. In fact, playing with gravity and not having to hold your own leg up for these poses, it helped. Especially in Virabhadrasana III (warrior pose 3 or airplane pose), I could rest my back foot in the hammock and depend on it to help with my balance. At the same time I can now focus on my hip alignment more, play with balance by moving my arms... and that leg can still swing in the hammock so there's balance happening there. But by being able to push into the hammock you could find stability. What a great way to illustrate how activating both legs and both arms helps in keeping your pose.

We did some work with both feet in the hammock while we were in plank or the upper position of a push up. This reminded me of working with a balance ball. You would normally roll the ball towards your chest using your feet (either by folding your knees into the chest again or coming into a pike position). But instead of the ball, which is rolling all over the place if you lack grace as much as I do... your feet are in the hammock, still requiring some grace but focusing more on the strength.

But the fun stuff was definitely the hanging upside down. We learned two ways to get into the hammock. The first way required a forward summersault jump into the hammock... I couldn't do it with out assistance. Surprisingly I wasn't scared, I had my three year old nephew's mantra in my head ("There are no monsters here!")—so I was ready to tackle some forward summersault in the air butt. But it does require that core strength to crunch into a ball and heave my whole body (my ghetto bootie included) over my head. Success—another starting point! The other way to get into the hammock had you jumping backwards as if you were hopping yourself up onto a taller table to sit down. This I could master. But that's not the fun part, from there you learn to place the hammock (now more like a rope) at your hips and hang up side down. Holy ecstasy, batman! Your spine can just let gravity take over and straighten it's way out with out any of your strength to hold you there (think inversion table). I could hang out there all day, I think. And let's not forget all the benefits of being upside down... moving that blood around and aiding in digestion. 

We ended in a cocoon, completely wrapped up inside in our blue hammocks suspended in air for savasana. I felt a little cramped, but once I just relaxed and enjoyed the feeling of floating in the air... I didn't want to leave. 

Here's a video I found showing a lot of poses we did... the vampire sequence I did up to mosquito (Halasana—plow pose). The monkey pose is where we're upside down most of the time, but we took both legs out into a V (toes in front of us). 

I can't thank both of my instructors and i.d. gym enough. Does this replace traditional yoga? No, but I wish I could work this into my weekly practice... Maybe I can convince my boyfriend to set one up for us at home. I think his back pain would benefit from hanging upside down, if that's all he did. Oh! I should add, that if you're worried about it holding you... these set ups hold up to 1000 lbs. You're safe, so enjoy and play! 

If you're in the Chicago area... go. to. ID Gym. Seriously, you won't regret it! 

*namaste*

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Yoga at Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago, IL

LOCATION: Who knew finding a zoo in the middle of a city would be so difficult. I mean, it's an ENTIRE zoo... but I couldn't find a single sign on where it was, let alone parking for it. So... I left it to the directional gods, so to speak. I went off course of the written directions (seriously, I need a new GPS), and what do you know? I found Lincoln Park Zoo, but then I had nowhere to park. Ugh! I left at 6am to give myself plenty of time to get to this class at 9am (two hour drive), and all I could think was, "I just drove two hours to turn around and go home, didn't I." OK, fine, parking gods, have at it! And wouldn't you know it, I found a spot where I could see the entrance to Lincoln Park Zoo from my car (which was free, by the way). It's amazing how things work out if you just... let... go... 

COST: $20 for the drop-in fee in cash, but you can pre-pay online.   

STUDIO:  A summer series outside in Lincoln Park Zoo with the view of the city skyline behind the instructor, covered by a cocoon/sci-fi like piece of artwork, surrounded by nature and water and sounds of wildlife. While we had class it went from sunshine to downpour to sunshine all over the course of an hour. Challenging to focus? Yes. But what a wonderful way to challenge yourself. 

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Adult Yoga Breath in... Breath out... OMMMMMMMM. Take in the views of the city skyline as you connect with nature at Lincoln Park Zoo. Learn or perfect the basics of yoga in this class targeted to beginner and intermediate yoga practitioners. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat and bottled water. 

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Snyder completed teacher training in 2008, and hopes to pass on her love of yoga to others while teaching outdoors at Lincoln Park Zoo. Her classes are taught to inspire self-awareness, relaxation, and an appreciation for the body. 

CONTACT: Yoga at Lincoln Park Zoo

After the debacle of finding the zoo and parking... I then had to navigate my way (by foot, very adventurous) through the park to find the class. Once I arrived, I was happy to see people still setting up and that I wasn't late. Woo hoo! We started out in seated position, rolling the head to stretch the neck and start out slowly. The class was very basic, which was great for the variety of students in the class. It offered just the right amount of challenge to warm up the body on this cool morning. I would say it's a slowed down flow. Actually, thinking back, there wasn't much discussion of alignment and positioning. Julie didn't adjust anyone. It really was a basic class to wake up the body on this Saturday morning. Which I find is a nice introduction to yoga. 

I do have to say, I was completely distracted by being able to walk through the zoo and check out some of the animals after class. It's a nice added perk to a yoga class. As I walked through the empty zoo, there were a few performers playing guitar and singing or playing violin. The violinist was playing Amazing Grace, which was my dad's favorite song. And this is the zoo he took me to have some daddy/daughter moments after my parents got divorced. I'm finding, on these excursions to discover yoga classes, something else serendipitous happens. A moment of kindness and love. Whether it's a couple of puppies or beautiful memory of my father heightened by music. These gentle reminders are welcomed as they encourage me to keep doing what I'm doing. I hope you're enjoying the journey with me! 

*Namaste*

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The Yoga Boutique | Chicago, IL

LOCATION: The Yoga Boutique is just off the lake on Irving Park Rd near Montrose Harbor. Navigating to it was fine with my Tom Tom, but parking in the city is never fun. I eventually found street parking, which was free, but I'm still not sure if it was a permit only location... and I just lucked out? Who knows.
COST: Drop-in fee was $15

STUDIO: This space was even smaller than the last location I visited. You enter a city building and the Yoga Boutique is on the first floor (easy signage to get you to the right spot). As you enter there's an area with cubbies (that locked), shoes & a coat rack, which opens to a space for a desk to check in. There was a telephone booth size curtained area for changing near the desk (which I used after class) or a bathroom on the other side of the studio space... I opted for that since I drove straight there from Champaign and needed to use the bathroom before practice anyway. Very clean, inviting, and simple. The practice space was small, but there were only five of us including the instructor, so it worked out fine. I believe they offer mats for free, which is unexpected these days (and very nice), but I had my own mat so I didn't test this option. The space is kept warm (cozy, not sauna) and dark, two candles were "burning" (they were battery operated) by the instructor's mat with her tibetan bells (used after savasana).
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Vinyasa Yoga—Vinyasa means breath - synchronized movement. This class is a flowing class using classical yoga poses intricately sequenced. It is focused on building internal heat in order to purify all layers of the body.

INSTRUCTOR: Danielle Robinson is a vinyasa yoga, Pilates, and cardio dance teacher who just recently moved to Chicago from Italy. She started practicing yoga while pursuing her degree in Psychology back in 2002. Soon after graduation and her jobs in the real world both in the States and abroad, she felt inspired by fellow yogis and her own quest for physical and mental challenges to pursue teaching as a career. She studied under yogis in Florida, Italy, and New York City and now she hopes to parlay her training and teaching style into a fun and rewarding career teaching in the great city of Chicago. She's excited to be in the city, to meet new people, and to have the opportunity to teach at Yoga Boutique.
CONTACT:The Yoga Boutique

I was feeling a bit rushed, which always seems ridiculous when going to yoga, but there you have it. Danielle was very welcoming when I entered. I ended up being early enough to fill out the waiver form and change, what a relief. The space was small, as I said above, but there were only four students total, so we actually had quite a bit of room... And mirrors. I have to start with the mirrors, because I find them so distracting. It's really hard for me to focus when there is a mirror in front of me reminding me of what I unfortunately view as flaws. Recently, I wondered if reintroducing mirrors into my practice would be a good idea, since I can't really tell what I'm doing. But nope... not focused enough, not confident enough, not ready enough. It's ok, I just closed my eyes when I found myself looking at the mirror instead of the instructor or focusing on the pose.

Whew, glad that part is over so I can actually tell you about this wonderful class. The music was drastically different than my last review, but still current. It was refreshing... for example, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes' Home was on the playlist. Someone requested we work on core... you love and hate that person when they do that, don't you? I mean, who really wants to work on their core, but when it's done you are so grateful you did. The little bit of sore I'm feeling this morning is very rewarding. Danielle focused on breathing more than usual, which I always appreciate. I'm just starting to understand the benefits of breathing in practice, and it's my best way to focus... counting my inhale and exhales while making a little bit of noise... Ujjayi breathing. Think of it as the noise you make when you're trying to fog up a mirror... that constriction on the back of the throat while slowly breathing is suppose to be energizing and relaxing. The magical combo.

Danielle followed through the traditional flow, adding poses in that work the core. I was sweating my butt off. No one else was though, so I'm not sure exactly what was going on... but I'm not suppose to care, am I? Close eyes. Ignore mirrors. I also have to add that, with the small class, Danielle was able to walk around and adjust us a lot. It's like a private lesson, I imagine, and I love to be spoiled with this. Anyway, the practice pose she was warming us up for was crow pose or Bakasana (looks like Yoga Journal calls it crane pose). This pose has come to be one of my bigger challenges to date, and it all comes down to trusting myself (or in my case, lack there of). I can get into the position, I have the strength to hold it for a little bit, but when asked to remove my toes from the mat to balance; my brain takes over and I'm convinced I'm going to fall. Today, Danielle introduced starting on blocks. I really like this, because it puts you closer into the hovering position, and I knew what it was suppose to feel like. I didn't lift my toes long enough to find the balance to hold it, but there was no fear. Wow! I can't tell you how great it felt to just overcome that fear... with blocks. I will definitely practice it this way til I build more strength to hold it longer and then remove the blocks. I'm excited!

After a challenging & sweaty session, it was time for savasana. Music switched to tibetan monks chanting, which somehow worked wonderfully with the indy pop music playing for the past hour. Danielle walked around to place eye pillows on our eyes (I love eye pillows, I even bought them for all the ladies in my life for Christmas one year, they're so soothing) and adjusted our shoulders. I don't remember her talking much through savasana, just giving us the time to cool down and relax. Three chimes of the tibetan bells and we slowly moved back to sitting.

I found Danielle's class to be a wonderful mix of challenging physical work with comforting traditional poses, and the class being smaller allowed for me to feel like I bonded with these women I didn't even really talk to. After class Danielle was very interested in what I thought about the class, what brought me to the area and the studio, and what I did in Champaign. From start to finish, this was a great way to spend my Saturday afternoon before a rugby game (the reason we were in Chicago to begin with). Thank you Yoga Boutique and especially Danielle!

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