Highly recommend this quaint, tucked away Bikram studio in west loop. I've practiced here for a couple of years and I prefer this studio to other studios that offer "hot yoga," because of the disciplined structure that allows you (as the student) to immerse yourself and focus on your practice. Many other studios, in an attempt to cater to newcomers, end up being a lot chattier during the classes, which personally disrupts my meditation experience. The instructors at this studio offer guidance, which is what Bikram is all about. Repeating the same 26 poses and growing stronger at your own pace. Do your body a favor and integrate Bikram into your workout routine! read more

Amazing studio, centrally located near the Loop! I loved yoga instructor, David, who has been teaching for well over a decade! I love the gorgeous, generous space with high ceilings and perfectly heated! I loved the welcoming community of practitioners and energy of the practice. I can't wait to book another class on my next visit to fabulous Chicago! read more

Awful. Signed up for the 6:00 am class. Class description did not state it was pre-recorded. Description was updated after I complained. No refund given not even acknowledgment of having a deceptive class description. Bikram admitted all 6:00 am classes are pre-recorded and updated the description AFTER the fact I brought it up. read more

Bikram Yoga - Chicago - Yoga Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I booked a class through Classpass for this morning. When I arrived, I was shocked at the conditions of the studio. It's dingy and the air smells lightly of dirty carpet. The exterior also looks shady. I realize I may be critical of the presentation of the studio because I typically take heated yoga classes at Life Time River North. When I attempted to check-in for class, I was told there is an additional $9 facility fee for ClassPass reservations. This is not mentioned ANYWHERE on the studio's ClassPass page nor the class reservation page. The passive aggressive instructor insisted I was wrong and looked through my phone with me. When she couldn't find it either, she said "well, it would've been in the confirmation email." I have used CP on and off for a couple years and never booked facilities that charge an extra fee. It defeats the purpose. If considering hot yoga, I'd recommend going elsewhere based solely on the business practices of this business. read more

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Went for the hot yoga. Boy was it hot! lol The gentleman that met us at the door also ran the class. It was a smooth class with reasonable and doable transitions. My only gripe would be that there is only a curtain for the woman's restroom, yet a door for the man's. read more

Kudos to Naveed and team for running a fine traditional Bikram school in Chicago. I started Bikram 23 years ago and have seen studios gradually closing, eliminating classes, changing the series or altering teaching so it's truly a pleasant surprise that some things never change and you can go to this studio and be transported back 20 years ago when you took the first yoga class. Nothing has changed. The studio is beautiful, spacious and have showers/ lockers etc. all the necessary amenities. 3 classes a day, certified teachers, bikram dialogue and hot/ humid room. What else can you ask for in this day and age when everything is diluted or depleted for the sake of profits. Highly recommended. read more

Naveed is rude! Customer service is subpar. They don't respond to calls and emails. My number got blocked after attempting to reach out to them. I was only able to talk to them because I used a different number to call them. The studio also looks dirty. read more

It felt very cult-y. The teacher yelled at me in the middle of class for taking a sip of water in between poses. Like are you kidding? She then called me out a few more times for not doing a pose right. I have an injury so some poses I need to modify or some I would like to go deeper to stretch it. Regardless, my practice is for me so if something doesn't feel good or it hurts I should be able to listen to my body. The teacher is there to guide. Period. She made me feel very uncomfortable in the one place where I'm supposed to feel relaxed. I will not be back & do not recommend. Also, the class wasn't very hot at all and felt zero humidity. read more

I was in town for a long weekend and looking for a traditional Bikram studio. Bikram Yoga Chicago fit the bill! Our teacher Junki was excellent, the heat and humidity were the right level, traditional dialogue was used and the showers/changing rooms were clean and well-maintained. This is a great place to practice. read more

Best Hot Yoga Studio in town. Been coming here on and off for close to 4 years and always find my way back. And every time I do, the instructors remember my name and welcome me back. The instructors are very knowledgeable and truly are invested in helping you with your practice. Part of what keeps me coming back is the challenge that every session of Bikram brings but also the collaborative environment the instructors set up and their willingness to stay after class to answer any questions and congratulate you on a great class! The studio provides mats and towels for rent as well as the option to purchase beverages so you never have to worry about not being prepared to take a class. For beginners coming into class for the first time, I would highly recommend coming in early and hydrated, and setting up your mat in the back of the class just in case you need to observe some of the more seasoned yogis on how to do a pose. Every class is challenging for everyone so embrace it, push yourself, stay hydrated and have fun! read more

Absolutely awful,rude, not professional, angry,not polite at all was owner Naveed,made me feel very uncomfortable when i try to practice in west loop,the person like him can not work with people for sure, he needs to understand basic of the any busniss and customer service as well. He is lucky that some of the people still goes to practice there but a lot of yogis say bad words about him,now i can see why!horrible expirience read more

2 stars for Instructor and owner Naveed. It must be my 25th or more class today. Instructor Naveed was rude to me in the class. I have a medical condition (weak bladder) because of which have to go to restroom frequently. I am aware of the class rule to not to leave in between. In respect of that, I already hold up my pee till the floor series began. I didn't want to leave when the session is active and chose the time when everyone takes rest before the floor series. When I tried to leave, Naveed asked , already in a bit anger and impulse where I am headed and I mentioned restroom. On my return, he started giving me special instructions on how to do pose, calling out my name. I was paying attention to my breath and didn't hear his instructions. Thats when i heard 'how many Nancy are in this class ' ? WTF was that ?! . Dude, I am your customer, I pay for each class. You are not my parent or manager to talk to me like that. Its okay to correct poses as many time as you like but you can't get irritated and lose your cool with comments like "How many Nancy are in this class ?". And if one has to chose a yoga teacher that they can click with, its a clear sign of a bad yoga teacher. No good yoga teacher talks like that. This place and instructor Naveed got yoga concepts wrong for 2 reasons- 1. They have a message on reception desk which says 'be responsible for the energy you bring here'. But I ask instructors like Naveed, have you, the so-called master of yoga checked your energy that you give to your clients , your students ? 2. There is no hard and fast rule that can be imposed in yoga like don't leave the class. You have to make exceptions for medical conditions. It is good to recommend to stay for full class but you cant impose it and then get angry if someone is leaving for a genuine reason. I recommend 105F which also i have tried over the Bikram yoga in west loop. read more

I'm with reviewer Yvette C. Naveed is a jerk. For someone teaching yoga, you'd think he'd be a lot more calm & laid back. He's an ass. The main reason he has good reviews is because he does promotions in the studio "review us and get a free class for you or a friend" so of course people will write a positive review. The only other main teacher is James who seems like he's very new and kind of clueless. Save your money and time and go to any of the 105 South Loop, Lincoln Park or Wicker Park locations. They are all doing well for a reason: they are incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming to new students and run a lot of workshops that help you go deeper and understand your practice. AND they actually get hot. Westloop's heat is no better than core power yet Naveed accuses all the students of practicing at core power. Don't call it Bikram if your studio can't get up to or past 40% humidity. read more

I just experienced my first Bikram yoga class at Bikram Yoga West Loop studio. I loved it!! The studio is beautiful with a very meditative atmosphere and super clean. I let the instructor (Naveed) know that I was new to Bikram - he was supportive and did not push at any point during the class. I found the room very hot. For me it would not need to be any warmer. Naveed gives thorough and understandable direction. There was ample "breathing room" in the studio. No crowding which I really appreciate. showers, private changing areas, relaxing. No doubt, I plan to return. The location is convenient and the class schedule generous. read more

I absolutely love this studio. After my son was born, I was looking for something challenging both mentally and physically, and Bikram Yoga is the total package. Bikram Yoga Chicago is in the West Loop, so it's convenient for me from work. It's a gorgeous studio with amazing teachers. I feel totally renewed after every class! read more

I love this studio. This studio is true Birkram Yoga. The instructors are the best in Chicago.

I experienced an array of emotions and had a very up and down experience at Bikram Yoga West Loop. Starting with the positives: Naveed was welcoming and excited we were there to try the class. The space itself is beautiful. He kindly showed us around and I also noticed a nice variety of retail in the hallway. There were mats and towels available to rent and beautiful bathrooms. The room where the class took place was very spacious and impressive. I loved the feel of it and the temperature was nice. Would have liked it a little hotter but I think perhaps we went to the first class of the day and the room didn't have as much time to warm up. We also weren't in the center of the room which could affect how much heat we actually felt. That itself didn't bother me and I thought the space was wonderful and unique ! The deals the studio offers are of very good value. If you're a fan of Bikram yoga , the pricing itself is probably enough to keep you coming back to this studio! Now on to the negative: I understand that Bikram isn't supposed to be as warm and fuzzy as other yoga formats so I was mentally prepared to be instructed a little tougher. I am also an instructor myself in a lot of non-yoga formats and I train new instructors. As an experienced instructor who trains other instructors, I know there are ways to offer corrections. There is a way that won't make the client feel embarrassed or ashamed. Unfortunately that was not the delivery we received. I think it says a lot that I was prepared for something not so soft but was still disappointed in the delivery. I was not told that we couldn't or shouldn't have water until the warmup was done. That would have been helpful to know as I heard in the beginning of the class that first-timers should take it easy. I was simply trying to pace myself and was shamed kind of loudly for trying to grab a sip. It's a 90 minute class. The warmup is quite long and I wasn't sure when we were going to pause so I just wanted a sip. I wasn't NOT moving with urgency so it's not as if I appeared like some lazy person slacking off. From then on, most of my trust in the instructor was pretty much gone. My husband was also loudly called out for doing tree pose wrong ("you can do that at home"). Total turn off. My friend's ring was rubbing against her hand so she took it off and put it to the side, and also got a loud "what's going on over there?!" This isn't just going to discourage new people from coming back, it's downright rude. If you're the type of instructor who loves correcting people, either soften your delivery or walk around and quietly encourage people to adjust. Otherwise, you're going to scare some people away. As an instructor I obviously don't mind being corrected or touched but don't make me feel shitty in front of everyone in the class. Naveed has a style to him that is very unique. There is a militant element about him with a hint of dry humor. There were moments where he was encouraging me but moments where I think he would have been happier had I just left. For some people, you might be reading this and say "great, this is exactly the instructor I want." If his style is meant to weed out the warm and fuzzy people and keep the people who enjoy some really tough love, then I'll stay warm and fuzzy and go elsewhere. read more

5 stars rare and brilliant. it is so hard these days to find an authentic Bikram studio with certified Bikram Yoga teachers. I am so glad I found Bikram Yoga Chicago located in the west loop. read more

If you're a Bikram beginner and are interested in my experiences as a beginner, please read my review here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/bikram-yoga-northshore-glenview?hrid=JFCPuS-mt4MIOhxMm0UxfQ. It addresses many of the aspects of Bikram yoga that first-timers are surprised/shocked at when they compare it to "other yoga." I bought the 10 classes in 40 days deal offered on Groupon for an incredible deal. I made an effort to go every Monday evening for a month and a half, and I really enjoyed it! None of the classes I attended were at full capacity, so I was able to see myself in the mirror and not feel encroached by a neighbor. Pros: - Naveed is like the "father hen." He's behind the counter, he gives tours of the studio, he teaches classes. He is very encouraging and friendly. Luckily, the other 2 teachers I've had here had similar personalities. - Classes are the traditional Bikram style. BYWL will do Bikram Choudhury proud. - Schedule is very consistent. Cons: - One of the doors to the studio is extremely creaky and disruptive during savasana. Please WD-40 it! - Facilities are somewhat bare. The locker room is depressing. I'd like to see larger lockers with locks (I am very paranoid about theft) and brighter lights! And the shower stalls are really tiny but clean. Overall, it's a great location about 2 blocks west of Union Station, a block off the Adams St highway ramp, and there's a parking lot. read more

Let me start off by saying that any yoga studio that is not carpeted is not a real Bikram yoga studio and this makes Bikram Yoga West Loop the only authentic Bikram Yoga school in Chicago. It is not about aesthetics, but the experience. Bikram is a genius and if he has made a rule for carpet then there must be some reasoning behind it. I have personally experienced the reasons -it's better practice, consistent heat, thickness of air which allows you to work harder...I can go on and on, but I have other areas to cover.... Bikram Yoga West Loop is also superior to other Bikram School in many ways. The studio itself is gorgeous and the beauty transcends from the hot room to the hallways...(unlike Bikram river north which makes you feel like going back to work after a hard day at work...) Staff is extremely friendly and super laid back. The teachers are genuine and caring and so far no control freaks...(unlike 105F studios where staff seems to be in a hurry with $$ sign in there eyes..) In addition these guys are extremely generous and fun -- no egos and no snobbish attitude as I have seen at other places... Parking is great -- huge parking lot next door where you can park during weekdays after 2pm for only $5 and free on Sundays.. (where do you find that in downtown..) In addition there are several free parking spots on Adams/ Jefferson and Des Plaines street...but you need to know them... In addition, the proximity to Union Station, Clinton Blue line station and 90/94 freeway is unbeatable... Now to the actual product: People who practice yoga know there is no alternate to Bikram. Here you have really nice teachers (try Naveed, Charles, Indre) and since it's a new studio with smaller class size, there seems to be a good focus on corrections and discipline. Outside the hot room it's all fun and game, but inside it's a serious business... So conclusively, after trying all the Bikram studios in Chicago (and overseas) and some non Bikram Yoga studios, I truly confess and highly encourage fellow yelpers that Bikram Yoga West Loop beats all other studios by leaps and bounds when it comes to design, beauty, accessibility, practicality, friendly staff, great teachers and the most amazing hot room...." You have to try it... I will give these guys 5 out of 5 rating but the reason for 4.5 is unavailability of lockers. As soon as they get lockers which they are , this rating shall be upgraded to 5. read more

I am new to Bikram Yoga, this being the first stuido I've ever been to, so my opionion might be a little naive but here is what i can say - The yogi's are amazing. Naveed and Charles specifically have offered so much positive energy and the perfect amount of constructive help! After just a few classes I already feel like I know what I'm doing. They are patient and knowledgable. All of the yogi's have been exceptional with the exception of Junki who moved really fast - (it felt more like an aerobics class not a yoga class) (as a beginner this was challeging for me and i didn't feel like i got the full effect) and it was really hard to understand her. But, I only had her once and everyone else has been amazing!! The studio itself seems like it could use a little face lift and cleaning. The yoga room is carpeted and there is a lot of dust on the window seals and on the ground. It's fine, because you are on your mat for the whole class, but it would be a huge bonus to have that cleaned up. The "locker room" is a bit strange. There is nowhere to securly put your belongings while in class. it's just a small open room wtih a mirror and two chairs. So take that into consideration when packing your bag for class. The bathroom and shower area is nice. The studio is new so i'm sure with a little success updates will be made. I think overall it's a 4 star, if it was based on the yogi's and class alone I would give it 5 stars. read more

TL;DR, spend your money elsewhere. I went one-to-two days a week for the past four months. On the positive side, as another reviewer mentioned, it's less crowded than other studios. However, I think it's less crowded because everyone decides to cancel their membership--I've rarely seen the same faces in class with me. My two biggest problems with this studio: 1. The facilities are garbage. There are no lockers, there is not enough room for changing, there is one drinking fountain for 10-15 people after class, the bathroom/shower is gross... I could go on for a while. Also, if you're a guy, you're forced to change in a 10x10 room with 5-10 other guys before/after class. 2. The instructors are hit or miss, and most often they miss. I also agree with other reviewers regarding the instructors: several of them are overly pious, incredibly arrogant, and generally, lack the self-awareness that a good teacher would have (Jesseme especially). It's surprising to see, especially for "beginner" classes. There's nothing special about this place and the only reason I stayed with the studio as long as I did, was because it was a block from my office. I honestly would not be surprised if this studio goes out of business soon. If you take a class here, you'll be tired and sweating profusely by the end of class, but any decent Bikram or hot yoga studio will do that for you. With its poor instructors and even worse facilities, you're better off spending your money elsewhere--especially with so many good options in Chicago. read more

I have practiced traditional yoga and hot yoga many years. I have been to Bikram yoga Seattle and Yoga to the People Seattle before. After relocating to Chicago, I am glad there is a Bikram yoga studio near my home. It is similar to the Bikram studio I went before, they opened the door 30 minutes before the class and locked the door or elevator when class starts. Locking the door or shutting down the elevator during class is safe for you (or your belongings). The room is never over crowed. You don't need to worry about if other people sweat too much. The temperature is controlled vThe restroom is clean. In women's changing room, there are lockers. The instructor Naveed is great, he remember students' names and will give you constructive help immediately. Overall, I enjoyed the practice here. read more

If i could, I would give this place zero stars! That's how horrible my experience was at this studio. My Mom always tells me that you get what you pay for. I purchased a Groupon for classes at this west loop alleged "Bikram" studio because the price was too good to miss - $2 for 20 classes. The class I attended wasn't even worth $2! The studio is still under construction. Some of the things that need to be completed are: the floor (it is cold, dirty and dusty concrete), the ladies' bathroom/shower room (there's no door and no mirrors - if you want mirrors you have to go to the men's bathroom/shower room), the walk-in closet changing area w/o lockers, AND the actual class area of all places. The room was not 105 degrees and it is carpeted! I doubt they clean the carpet at the close of business each day and I'm sure it is collecting plenty of dirt and germs! When I attend a true Bikram class my hair is wet and my clothes are drenched with sweat before the class is done. Neither was the case at this studio. When I spoke with someone who works at the studio I was told that I should give the class some time to adjust although the studio has been open for 3 months! In addition to completing construction, the room should be temperature ready prior to opening the doors for business. I am returning and staying at the Bikram Chicago studio which has three Bikram appropriate locations in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and the South Loop. read more

I moved to the West Loop recently and I must have Bikram in my life and I really appreciate this studio. It has not succumbed to the 45 or 60 minute classes (like the other Bikram studios in the city) and it is as traditional as a Bikram studio can get which is not only practical for a student, but it is so much safer for your body! All the instructors are wonderful teachers and I get really great help from them while practicing and manuevering into my poses. Namaste. read more

Amazing space to practice the Original Hot Yoga aka Bikram Yoga. 90 minutes of bliss. They are a trusted source for the yoga. All teachers are certified to teach the yoga by the source. I have been to many studios in Chicago and throughout the world and this one by far is the most wonderful light filled space. Beautiful design, large clean mirrors, traditional carpet (easy on the joints), exxxxtra large hot room. The West Loop is the best loop and this studio has embraced and highlighted the awesome exposed brick , high ceilings, and concrete floors. This place is my sanctuary and after a year like 2020, I am so grateful to be able to practice the Best Yoga in the Best Studio around. read more

I love bikram. This studio is less crowded than others...which I secretly like because it feels less hot. I know, it's like cheating...but I can't help it. There isn't as many options for times but overall they work. I like the sternness of this studio. Others are really lax about being quiet in the room, etc. read more

Novice yogi here- started here last week.. 39 dollars for the first month. Pretty nice deal . Thus far I've only had Naveed --he's been an incredible instructor. He genuinely cares. Today was international yoga day . At the end of class Naveed gave us free coconut water. What a nice dude . The facility is very clean. Has a happy, pleasant vibe that makes you want to come back :-) read more

I really like Bikram Yoga West Loop. The studio is clean and welcoming and I enjoy the sense of community when looking for a place for my practice. It's a very low-pressure yoga studio, I never feel behind or that I can't practice if I can't do the poses. The teachers are always encouraging - so far I've had Nazia, Elizabeth and Lenee. I like them all for different reasons and honestly look forward to my practice here. My only complaint is the parking situation, you will easily spend at least $7 for a 90 minute class. Of course, it is close to public transportation but I'm not crazy about getting on the L after I've spent 90 minutes exercising in a 105° studio. Overall a great place for Bikram. read more

Know what you are getting yourself into. This was my first serious yoga class + first HOT yoga class and I was pleased with the experience. You will sweat a lot more than you think, please bring a face towel as well as a towel for your mat to avoid slippage (or rent one). Naveed gets mixed reviews but he has a distinct style. That does NOT translate to him being mean at all. He does not perform the moves himself, he just explains what to do and what the benefits are as we move along. I made sure to be in the back to follow his words as well as look over at others. He will remind you what to be aware of and improve in your poses. Try to block out everything else in your head and really focus on your balance. Remember to breathe, have water, and push yourself! read more

The teachers are fantastic and professional. I always felt welcomed from day one. I really like the studio because it's spacious, clean and quiet. The cold shower i take after class it's the best shower! Pricing on monthly auto-pay is reasonable and fair. Bikram Yoga is very challenging. If you like to push yourself and build resilience this is your practice. read more

I recently moved to Chicago and was in search of a good Bikram Yoga studio - I am so happy to have landed on this one. First, the staff is incredible - each class is run very smoothly and in accordance with the Bikram Yoga practice. The room is perfect for class, as it is very spacious while also staying hot and humid. The accommodations include full bathrooms with showers for after class, small plastic bags for sealing off sweaty clothes from the rest of your bag, mats/towels for rental, and adequate/secure locker room space. Last, joining this studio has provided a sense of community with the students and teachers. From the second class, the teachers greeted me by name and I have been able to connect with other students. For new beginners or Bikram experts, this is the place to go in Chicago. read more

I LOVE this studio, I am 51 years old, a grandmother of three, overweight, went issues with my knees...lol, but I know that all that is going to change real soon because of my 2016 "Commit-To Be-Fit" personal journey which I have added Bikram Hot Yoga!!! Naveed is an AMAZING instructor and keeps it real with his class, he has a very unique style that allows you at any level to feel comfortable and encouraged, I Love all the instructors and I recommend the practice to all ages. I did the student special for $39 in December 2015 and was so excited with the experience that I purchased a package (20) classes in Feb. 2016; I am still a beginner and I am so happy to add Bikram Yoga into my wellness journey! LT~ read more

What an amazing class I took today with Grace! She was perfectly paced and so encouraging. I have been to a few bad hot yoga classes and this was anything but. I will DEFINITELY be back! Naveed, the owner, was also so kind. Great experience! read more

Nice yoga studio. Clean and spacious. Nice instructor. Good timing. Heat was ok not the hottest but ok. My class was very small so I am not sure how hot it would be when it is crowded. A bit weird shower/changing room configuration. My only complain is the showers. I would've preferred it to have individual fully well partitioned showers... I travel to Chicago frequently and most likely would come back. read more

I just want to note to those reading reviews, that Naveed is the rudest instructor ever. For someone teaching yoga he has a lot of anger and takes it out on his students. If you notice, the person responding to the poor reviews is NOT Naveed, the person that should be responding AND apologizing. There's a reason why his studio offers dirt cheap monthly unlimited yoga! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Good luck. read more

I've been doing Bikram yoga on and off for 10 years in three different cities, and by far this is my favorite studio. I love that the ladies room has three very clean showers and that all of the students are respectful of one another and very friendly. I also really like that the classes are not over packed and there is always a nice little grace period given to anyone who is arriving right on time, so they can get ready and roll into class without all the stress of having to jockey for mat space....etc. I really like the teachers because they all emphasize going at your own pace, they rarely focus on specific students and keep to the classic Bikram rolling dialogue at an even stride with no outbursts, pauses, or sudden movements or activity outside of the teaching platform. All of the teachers seem to have great consideration and respect for the students and there really is no ego or judgement in the classroom at all. I always think its kind of funny when someone reviews a Bikram yoga studio negatively after only ONE class. Sometimes you may have a class that feels cooler in temperature to you because of how your body feels, or the teacher is allowing for a couple of newbies to adjust with some grace, sometimes there may be a bit of sweat from the last class on the mirror because it is a hot and sweaty class. Come. On. Take more than one class and you will see that the next time you come back the temp may feel hotter, and the mirror may be crystal clear. Take a week or two before reviewing this studio. I think that you will find that the kind teachers, friendly students and clean open space really make this studio the best one in Chicago. Modern showers and central location right by the green line, the blue line and Union Station. Kind of can't get any better than that! Namaste. read more

I came for a hot yoga class with my mom. The website and the flyer on the window said 7:30 class. But the doors were locked. I called and the guy said there is not class at 7:30. How inconvenient to have false information posted. I guess I will stick with my regular yoga studio. read more

When Yelpers review a Bikram studio, I've noticed a tendency to provide an opinion regarding the practice itself or the polarizing personality of Bikram Choudhury. However, it's best to probably ignore these details for the moment in order to properly assess the studio itself. Reviewers for this particular location seem to think that hard wood floor is a Bikram-approved surface; it is not. According to the boss Mr. C himself, carpet is the only approved flooring [1]. The West Loop studio is probably the nicest studio I've been to in terms of aesthetics; Naveed, the owner, has done a great job of ensuring that the studio is decorated with all sorts of soothing artwork (the artist turns out to be a friend of Charles, one of the instructors). Aside from the hot room mirrors, which sometimes look like they're in dire need of a good Windex-ing, the entire studio seems very clean and sanitary (and doesn't have that "distinctive" odor many Bikram studios tend to have). Because the studio is relatively new, there aren't as many students as I imagine other Bikram studios in Chicago have. This is nice when you're like me and scrambling with 5 minutes to spare, trying to find a place to put your mat; there's always plenty of space to spread out in the hot room. For the most part, the instructors are great, which cannot be said about every yoga studio. Really, this Yelp review should just be a space to profess my love for Charles. He is the best instructor I've ever had; I have learned so much from him in terms of my practice and even from just living life from day-to-day. There are definitely times where I've felt myself on the verge of tears in class on very emotional days (the past few months have been especially hard for me professionally and personally) and Charles' positive attitude and encouragement have been the motivation to lift myself from rock-bottom and to do things that I didn't even physically believe I'd be able to do (like do a backbend!). I'm not sure if yoga instructors can have "groupies", but I would like to claim that I am Charles' #1 fan! Both he and Naveed are very invested in the learning of their students, there are one or two instructors who simply recite the dialogue, but I always find instructors who provide support and corrections to be more helpful for improving my practice. (Some may disagree with me.) Because the studio does not have hundreds and hundreds of students, Naveed really does know all of his students on a first-name basis. In a city like Chicago, it makes the yoga studio feel like home. [1] http://www.bikramyoga.com/Studios/BikramYogaBasics.php read more

I'm currently using the $39 new student unlimited intro special. I'd never done bikram yoga prior to starting out here, and wow, bikram yoga is so different from vinyasa yoga. They're like yin and yang or black and white.. Opposite sides of the same coin. Donnie and Marie. Peanut butter and jelly. First of all, it's really hot in there. Like really hot. By the time class was through, I looked like I had taken a shower with my clothes on. I glanced at the guy next to me, and there were PUDDLES of sweat pooled on top of his yoga mat. Kind of gross. So, be prepared to sweat. A lot. A lot a lot. Second, unlike vinyasa yoga, bikram yoga always follows the same sequence of poses. Every class, it's rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat. After your first bikram yoga class, you absolutely positively cannot complain about the class being "too repetitive." You signed up for this kiddo. No complaints. Last, I've slept like a baby after every class! Some of the best sleep I've had in a long time! Well worth the effort! read more