Just Breathe | Joliet, IL

LOCATION: Google maps will tell you there are two locations, but the Division St address is the way to go (aka their only location). It looks like one of those strips of businesses your dentist and realtor both reside in, not very yoga-esque on the outside. I arrived early and was further confused by the sign for The Center (which also offers up yoga classes), and because I had them on the list of places to visit I thought maybe I wrote down the wrong address. But the next door over has the Just Breathe sign (they must be connected somehow)... I was still the only one there though. I questioned the two locations at the time—had I gone to the wrong one? I called one of the instructor's numbers on their website (the wrong instructor, oops) and left a message (she did end up calling back while I was in class, and was very kind... thank you, Galey!). Luckily other cars started showing up, and then the teacher... whew! Parking was free.
COST: Drop-in fee was $15 (no credit cards)

STUDIO: You enter right into the practice space with just a simple desk up front for check-in. The space is light and airy, it reminded me of a beach bungalow actually, feeling spa or vacation-like. I'm becoming a fan of spaces having ceiling fans... just saying, I'm a sweater. And by sweater, I mean I sweat a lot... I'm not a warm and fuzzy piece of clothing. Anyway! The studio had yoga props to offer, but no mats, I believe everyone brought their own (I could be wrong on the mat topic though, maybe no one needed them and therefore they didn't take them out from a different closet).
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Level 1-2 These classes are a perfect blend for students with some yoga experience. Options will be given for both level 1 & 2. This class may include a blend of flow, strong standing asana & floor poses using mindful breath awareness to allow you to find your own place in the practice.

INSTRUCTOR: Jill began her yoga journey in 2000. After years of running, weight-lifting, aerobics and step-classes, attending her first yoga class changed her life. Immediately drawn to its transformational qualities of both mind and body, yoga soon became her passion. She began teaching in 2004. Jill continues to study at every opportunity with master teachers.
CONTACT: Just Breathe

After all the confusion of whether I was in the right place or not, things began to run much smoother. As I filled out the waiver form, Jill asked where I was from. That got everyone talking about Champaign... and the studio I go to (Living Yoga Center), which a couple people had been to and had nothing but wonderful things to say about them (I agree). It was a great way to warm-up to the experience, to say the least. There were six students total, and this was the first time I felt like I was surrounded by the stereotypical body type associated with yoga... being the curvier girl that I am, I probably noticed it more than anyone. I contemplated not mentioning this in my review, because it REALLY shouldn't matter, but there are many an article out there about the stereotypes of yoga and why people are intimidated to try a class. I understand why, I was a bit intimidated. Then one of my biggest reasons I love yoga happened, I entered that space on my yoga mat that allows me to be completely selfish and just focus on my practice. It's guilt-free fabulousness I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! Sure, I notice others around me, but it's truly just to witness the many beautiful forms of yoga from inside my zen bubble. I really do value where I'm at in my practice, because it's leaps and bounds from where I was two years ago. Plus, another reason I love yoga... it's ever-evolving since you can ALWAYS take it to the next stage, so I can't get bored. And if you know me even a little bit, you may notice I keep things moving because my brain gets excited by new stuff (read: may not finish a lot of projects because I've moved on to the next brainchild). I digress. I was in my bubble. All was good.

I found this class to be a wonderful challenge. Jill did a lot of the yoga with us, but regularly took the time to walk around and adjust us. She was able to take poses to more advanced stages because of the people in her class (I was not one of them), so I got to see some awesome work while attempting the stage I was at and not feeling too shabby about it either. It was refreshing to also see these same woman who went into some deep poses, grab props to aide them in other poses. We really all do have strengths and weaknesses through out yoga, so to judge ourselves based on someone else's practice is an unfortunate waste of time and energy (that I'm also guilty of).

After sivasana we came back to our sitting position, and Jill asked us to massage just below the third eye (which is the area between your eyebrows). I hadn't done this before. Once massaged, we tapped the third eye three times, then ran our finger down the front of our face (as opposed to the back of our face?) to our heart chakra. She said something along the lines of understanding the brain as nervous system central, but that we connect and act from our hearts. I liked the physical movement of literally drawing the line between the two.

After class I chatted with Jill quite a bit. Since I had dropped off some Yoga Journal Conference posters to her, she told me about her wonderful experiences attending the conferences in the past and was kind enough to go over the instructors featured at this event, with special focus on Aadil Palkhivala. I hope to attend one of his classes on Saturday or Sunday, but she mentioned his all-day intensive class on Monday. I planned to go home on Sunday night... but maybe I need to stay an extra day. I'll keep you posted.

All in all, a great class with fantastic instruction. If you're a beginner, I wouldn't recommend this specific class (which they say it's for people with more experience, so it shouldn't be shocking). I can say, though, if you start with them in one of their beginner classes, they will get you started on an incredible path! Thank you Jill & Just Breathe!

Read More

Innerpeace Natural Healthcare | Joliet, IL

LOCATION: This was pretty easy to find... but I tell you what, it's been a rough weekend of searching in Joliet, for me and my Tom Tom. I wish yoga studios could put signs out on the street that say "LOOK HERE! LOOK HERE! YOGA! TURN!"—possibly in neon—blinking—and fireworks. Parking was free, and they did a great job explaining that you go to the back of the parking lot to find the location (once you know which building you're driving behind).

COST: Drop-in fee was $15 (credit cards accepted)

STUDIO: This location is set up for natural health care (chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists... very cool). And they only offer yoga on Thursday nights, so it's a little bit like walking into a doctor's office instead of a yoga studio. But they are very friendly at the front desk, and made me feel very comfortable to ask questions. The room (pictured above) is sweet, which maybe sounds insulting, but they're taking a healthcare setting and turning it into a yoga studio. I think they did a great job.

CLASS DESCRIPTION: We will practice Tantric Hatha/Vinyasa style of Yoga.

INSTRUCTOR: Bridgit has been practicing both Yoga and Pilates since 2004 with pilates teacher training under David Englund of Ultimate Fitness in Evanston, IL, and yoga teacher training under Daren Fiesen of Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago, IL. She loves serving others and is passionate about work-life balance and cultivating healthy lifestyle choices in herself and her students [be sure to read her full bio on the link, she has a lovely childhood story with her mother in Zimbabwe].

CONTACT: Innerpeace Natural Healthcare

So, my first choice for yoga on my Joliet excursion was to check out Bikram Yoga Plainfield. The first night I got into town too late and missed the class... so the next morning I woke up nice and early to catch me some hot yoga. Well, we had a TON of rain all night and it was still going, so my adventure lead me to ten... 10!!!... road blocks of streets flooded over. I couldn't get to that building for nothing. So, I decided the world was telling me I should not attempt hot yoga this week, and really, I wasn't going to complain because hot yoga kicks my butt. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to compare the authentic Bikram class to the previous hot yoga class I tried in Indy. But! I'm not here to review Bikram Yoga, am I? No... no the world wanted me to take a class on Thursday night at Innerpeace. And I'm SO glad I listened.

There were four students in the room, each of us with different skills... I think two of the students were regulars and us other two were new. Brigit was very nice, we all talked about our yoga experience, including Brigit. She actually travels quite a bit from one location to the next all week long teaching 21 classes... some pilates, but mostly yoga. That's a lot of classes, and A LOT of driving. The other newbie in the room said Brigit came highly recommended... I was happy to hear that, since I didn't do any research of this place before I walked in.

Brigit was a breath of fresh air. We opened the class with one om, warmed up a little, and did a few modified sun A's and one full sun A (surya namaskar A):

When we went to focus on our standing poses, Brigit took us to the wall for warrior two (Virabhadrasana II) and extended side angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana). This was great! We used a block that we had to hold with our bent knee against the wall, then try to roll our opposite hip back to also touch the wall, and then shoulder blades going down and touching the wall. Both these poses I've been doing for a couple years now, but I will never look down on a chance to really break down a pose and learn it all over again. And I really did learn it all over again. 

We worked on our shoulders next for a little bit, took it to the mat to cool down with further stretches, and then on to sivasana. Brigit came around and adjusted all of us, ending it with a sweep of her hands... as if she was drawing out and releasing all the tension in our bodies. When we found ourselves back to our sitting position we did a technique where we would hum on our exhale, sounding like a hive of bees inside our head (Bharamari). I did this once before when I was on my retreat with Harmony Yoga, and it's fun... because everyone has different breath patterns, it quickly sounds like the bees are swarming. It is suppose to have 

a calming effect on the entire nervous system, especially it stimulates the parasympathetic nervouse system, which induces muscular relaxation and is very effective in stress management. So this pranayama is very effective for relaxation of body and mind. 

We ended class with one more om, and a personal namaste for each of us with Brigit. I really can't say enough great things about Brigit. If you're in the Chicago-land area, I would look up one of the many classes she teaches and check it out, you won't regret it!

Read More