I just tried out the week free of yoga here and really had a good experience. I recommend really taking advantage of the week and trying different classes. It gave me a good chance to try a variety of classes and instructors. Some classes are better than others, but each to his/her own in yoga so I'm sure you'd find something you love. The facility is really clean and nice and the instructors are friendly. I LOVE that they have a huge selection of times - you can pretty much find any time slot you would want. Monthly memberships are a bit on the pricey side, but I would say its worth it if you really practice yoga on a regular basis. read more

Great teachers. Clean studios. Friendly atmosphere created by staff and patrons. Great for guys, locker room is spacious, clean and not overly crowded. Great variety of classes. From the beginner to the fitness enthusiast you can find a style that will challenge you in just the right ways. read more

I've been a member of Core Power Yoga for a year and typically take classes at the Lincoln Square and Uptown studios. I decided to take a class at this studio because it's near where my boyfriend lives. The studio overall is a nice large space and has similar offerings to the others. I was also able to find free parking unlike the pay lot at my usual studio. I got there early and was one of the first to set up in the class. I definitely got a good sweat in the hour I was there. Unfortunately, the rest of my experience was downhill. 59 people (I counted) were crammed into one studio for a sculpt class. I looked around for a sign posting the room capacity because I was convinced we had exceeded it. I had maybe centimeters of personal space as mats inched closer and closer to my own. People were still spilling in when I was convinced there wouldn't be room for any more. The girl who squeezed in front of me was so close that her feet and/or butt were in my face 80% of the class. As she was lifting her right leg up during downward dog I had to move my face out of the way to avoid being kicked. At the end of class, her sweaty head was resting on the bottom of my mat. My own sweat is bad enough but I don't like OPS (other people's sweat) soaking into my mat. If they start to monitor the overcrowding issue, I would consider going back to this studio. But having to stare at the bottom of someone's feet for an hour is not my idea of a fun workout. read more

I should preface this review by saying that I have been practicing Ashtanga yoga with vascillating levels of dedication for nearly ten years. So I'm not new to yoga, and already have some preferences that are informed by my experiences with Ashtanga. I love yoga and try to practice at least five times a week, but I also have a full-time job and so it can be difficult to make it to a class every day, and I can tell that the practice I do on my own at home lacks discipline. Enter Corepower Yoga. It is literally a two minute walk from my apartment, and has a million classes a day from 6:00 in the morning until 9:00 at night. The first thing to note about CorePower is that all of the classes are heated. I don't really get the hot yoga thing. The heat is not helpful to me. It makes me lazy and unmotivated, and I find myself getting sloppy on my chadurangas, stepping forward instead of jumping forward, etc., just because I'm too hot. But, I do like that CorePower is not carpeted like most hot yoga places are, and they do a good job of keeping it warm without having it start feeling really humid like spin classes and the like sometimes do. I typically gravitate toward the CorePower2 or Hot Power Fusion classes. The typical method seems to me: rush through a few sun salutation A; then introduce an extended sun salutation b kind of situation, bringing in a variety of standing poses, etc., and go through it very slowly; then repeat the modified sun salutation B sequence very quickly several times in a row; then get down on the floor and "do core" (i.e., do sit-ups or something along those lines); then maybe do some back bends or maybe an inversion or very rarely a seated post (but often just more sun B); then half pigeon; and end in sivasana. To me, the overall method has some potential issues. The "one breath, one movement" thing that they're always saying (which means one half-breath per asana) is really only useful depending on what poses are being incorporated. I don't really understand the value of spending a half breath in a twist or a wide-legged forward fold, for example, especially when you're in this heated environment that, at least as I understand it, is supposed to be opening your joints and muscles so you can go deeper into poses. The pose just can't go anywhere when you're barely in it. You can see how this plays out in the practice of the "regulars" at the studio who aren't practicing yoga elsewhere. When you're at a class at this studio, just look around and see how high off the ground people's heels are in downward dog, for example. I don't say this as a criticism of anyone's practice, but as a critique of the method--when you are "one breath, one movement"-ing your way through your sun salutations, what opportunity do you get to deepen the pose over time? Also, alignment often suffers when people are moving this quickly. I've been in classes where they are switching back and forth between a standing lunge, warrior 2, warrior 1, triangle pose, pyramid--all of the shifting of the position of the hips and the feet winds up not happening when people are moving that quickly and aren't receiving adequate instruction, and so you see some pretty scary things happening to people's knees and low backs. The "doing core" part is kind of a mystery to me, too. Yoga has plenty of poses that incorporate core--plank, side plank, navasana, all of the jump throughs and jump backs--why not just do some of these poses? Some of the instructors at this studio are very good, and manage to avoid these potential pitfalls in the structure. The best instructors whose classes I have taken either throw the structure to the wind and do their own thing, or do a more Anusara-style dance/flow kind of feel, establishing a series of poses that you can move through fluidly, where the transitions are not disorienting but helpful. (For example, opening the side body in triangle, and then transferring that extension into half moon.) You can tell that some of these people are very well-trained. These are usually people who trained in yoga elsewhere first or simultaneously with CorePower, and who have been practicing for many years. It's great to be able to have these good classes offered so close to my home at convenient hours. When CorePower is bad, though, it can be pretty bad. I've seen instructors give adjustments on only one side, I've left classes with pain in my back from spending a lot of time in locust and boat but none in forward folds, or crunching in my hips and knees from spending twenty minutes in chair pose without having the benefit of stretching out in warrior and downward dog first. read more

My usual CPY studio is the west loop one on Randolph. THAT studio is AMAZING. Extremely clean, large, and overly helpful/friendly instructors. This studio, is the complete OPPOSITE. I only went here because I happened to be shopping in the area last week. First off, the studio is much smaller than the west loop one. I dropped in on a 1.5 class during the afternoon, there was only 3 other people in there besides the instructor so I thought he would be a little more helpful....not the case. He actually seemed bored and his energy was so low it was as if he didn't even wanna be there. He only did a few poses along with us. The rest of the time he just walked back and forth while giving instructions. Shrugged it off, until my feet started sticking on the floor. Yes, that's how gross it was. Looked around and saw what was prob dried up sticky sweat all over the studios floor. Yuck. To make things worse, I noticed something crawling out of the corner of my eye while lying on my back...a few ants were walking across the floor right by me. Maybe they were there to work on some chatarungas too, but they were in the wrong place. Never coming back to this location. read more

Ever wonder what pure BLISS feels like? Read. On. Like. Woah. Yoga can seem intimidating,especially to someone like myself who loves to constantly be busy, isn't a graceful, and works out solely to burn calories. But honestly, this is exactly what I've needed for a long time. All it takes is a bit of intrigue to go to one class, and then the possibilities of this practice/study of the relationship between the mind, body, and universe become limitless and empowering.I've now been doing yoga regularly for a year. 187 classes to be exact. Sounds like a lot of one thing, right? Not if you have the right teachers. This is no rerun DVD of a 1990s exercise video, kids. It's not the easiest thing in the world to find the "right" teachers or style of yoga for you, but once you find that sweet spot, you will definitely know it.When I leave a class, I legitimately look like I have just gone swimming. In fact, I have not. I just did a 60 minute heated vinyasa flow class. Without make up(eek!). So gross, and yet I feel like I'm glowing after. Mirrors are everywhere, yet somehow I never use them to criticize myself. I ignore my imperfections and appreciate who and how I am myself. Leaving class is the lightest my steps have ever been, and least stressed I've ever felt. Core Power is doing something SO RIGHT. Kat and Diana, who teach my favorite C2 classes at the Bucktown Studio, have literally changed my life, deepened my practice, and inspired me to re-evaluate a lot of my typical actions and reactions. They both have a strong student following because of their earnest love of yoga - its blissfully obvious in their wisdom of words, inspirational quotes, and mind body relationship. Diana is legitimately one of the wisest people I have ever known. Just listening to her makes me think she must have experienced everything. And seemingly without crazy ridiculous emotions. And then she told me she was 26?! I can imagine I would have had a better experience the last 5 years if I was as in tune with my body, spirit, and emotions. She is such an inspiration! Everything she says in class sounds like she is just talking to me - but in fact, that is how everyone feels. She speaks about these big truths that everyone experiences in their own individual ways, so everyone relates. Such a relief that I'm not the only crazy emotional human out there. She is also the most advanced yoga instructors I have taken class from. One of her best talents is how she is able to demonstrate how to do poses the WRONG way so you know how to do it the RIGHT way. I mean, I don't know many people who can hang out in forearm handstand, doing the splits, while talking the class through how to tuck your tailbone, press into your hands, look forward and demonstrate what "tucking the tailbone" looks like. And she encourages "play time" to work on whatever you are working on, will spot you, show you, walk you through whatever, and give you two minutes to work on YOUR personal practice. Her hands on adjustments have been, to me, the single most helpful thing in my practice. When she explains things like "roll your shoulders to the back of the body" or "isometrically pull your front left and right back inner thighs together", and comes over to show you how that should feel - you deepen your practice so much in one moment. It is just awesome and gets you to that "ah- ha" feeling of yes... this is how it should feel! I respect Kat SO much! She was the first teacher I started "stalking" (in a non creepy way) and going to all of her classes. She has this really calm, open, friendly aura about her that makes you feel immediately comfortable. She's super non-intimidating during class, takes time to walk people through poses individually, and best of all, ALWAYS makes everyone laugh. Its such a refreshing kind of yoga. I can't remember all the crazy things she has us do, but like wrap your arms around your legs while bended forward and holding your ankles, and walk in circles with your butt up in the air. Sounds nutty, but its hilarious and actually made me discover some muscles I never knew I had! She's also taken time after classes to teach me and SHOW me how to do poses. When I first learned tripod headstand, my elbows were super far apart and that made it really hard. After class she showed me where my hands should be. Now during class, she will say "Kristi, pull your elbows in" which makes me really think about alignment and makes me feel really special that she knows me and my practice that well!She has also been the most encouraging teacher to bring yoga into my life in different ways - doing a wellness cleanse, taking time to meet me for coffee and explain what and why you would do it, and actually responding to my one zillion emails with questions. I'm now signing up for Yogi Training, and cant wait! If you want to know the passion that yoga brings to people, go to Kat or Diana's C2 classes at Bucktown. A. Maze. Ing. read more

I've been to quite a few CPYs around Chicago (Bucktown, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Park Ridge and Oak Park/RF)... Bucktown remains my favorite. Certainly the layout of the facility and the walls of windows in the rooms helps tremendously. But there's also a great energy there. The instructors are fantastic, adding to the overall vibe. I just moved to Oak Park, but I have driven back several times just to go to Jonathan's Tuesday noon class. LOVE it. read more

The first thing that comes to mind is "McYoga". It's analogous to a Starbucks--standardized, sterile perfection but sometimes misses the point. I attended 4 classes here during my free week of yoga--C1.5 twice, Core Restore, and Hot Power Fusion. I found it odd that the C1.5 instructors mentioned multiple times per class "this is a pose you know from C1" or "this is a pose we usually work on in more depth in C2." It seems to kind of miss the point of yoga; there aren't different levels that you should progress through, it's about personal growth and satisfaction. The Hot Power Fusion instructor referred to a pose as her "nemesis," another idea kind of contrary to the teachings of most yoga styles. Oh and the break in the middle to do crunches while going "Shh Shh Shh" is just odd. In spite of the fact that this style of yoga is not my cup of tea, it does have some benefits. The studio is very nice, clean, warm, and I appreciate the hair ties in the bathroom. It's also a pretty good workout, improves flexibility, and provides some measure of peace and meditation in your day. Overall, though, I'd recommend the yoga classes at XSport Fitness over CorePower Yoga. read more

I agree with the poster who called this chain "McYoga." I get the icky mass produced, corporate vibe from the classes. Speaking of, the expense for these classes is just absurd. They are extremely overcrowded and over heated. The sculpt class is likely to result in heat exhaustion. Offering the option for non heated classes would up the value of the studio, in my opinion. I highly recommend Rockwell Pilates as the Core Power antidote. RP is still a bit too pricey, but the return is much greater. read more

I signed up for the Groupon, thinking that alright, this studio is close by my condo. Almost every time I go to class, there is a person texting in the studio. Plus, classes are only 60 minutes, and the place might as well be ad campaign for Lululemon. For serious yogis who are used to serious studios, this is not the place for you. read more

I was a member about a year and a half ago, stopped for a while, then just started going again. In my opinion, the instructors have gone way down hill. Rather than instructors who offer adjustments, or challenge your body and mind, it seems now they just hire people who just like doing yoga and want to teach. I can't even remember the last time anyone offered me an adjustment, some instructors do not even touch anyone the entire class. Diana and Jenny W. for C2 are the best, but I am fairly unimpressed with any of the sculpt instructors. I will keep going just because I paid an arm and a leg for a month unlimited, but it is a definite downgrade from a year and a half ago. read more

Very friendly and personal service. A healthy variety of complexity levels for the yoga classes. Several instructors and times to chose from - this allows a yogi to further customize their experience. read more

CorePower Bucktown is a fantastic studio offering a variety of classes, good amenities and excellent instructors. The app makes catching classes easy, too. Monika's Hot Power Fusion and Roxy's Yoga Sculpt were exemplary workouts that left me feeling fantastic. Go! read more

I have been to CorePower several times before & love it! I'm pretty cheap, and with free yoga around the city, I have never wanted to pay for a membership. But, I love doing yoga there. In June, they hosted the Lululemon free community yoga class and that was when I had Dani as an instructor for the first time. She is really awesome! If you want to take one of her classes, she's listed as Danielle H. on the schedule. I took her class today, CorePower Yoga 2 - Heated Power Yoga at 6:15am, and it also was fantastic! One of my favorite classes is the Hot Fusion class. If you have never been to CorePower before, they offer a week of free classes for new, local students. Also, they offer a student, teacher & military discount that's five dollars off their drop-in classes. read more

I have tried many yoga studios within the past year. Core Power is by far the best yoga studio in the city and suburbs. At this specific location, the parking lot is small, but you can easily find street parking. The facility is very clean and modern. The staff are always so helpful and pleasant. They offer several classes throughout the day with different time lengths. I feel that their hot yoga classes are fun, challenging and good for beginner or advanced yogis. If you are looking for a place to practice hot yoga, this is the place to be. read more

This studio is not for me. I was not warmly greeted by the woman at desk and she was also my instruction for their level 2 class. Getting attitude when you are new to a studio always ruins it. The level was not even as challenging as other studios. There were no inversion or arm balances. Ashtanga Yoga which I practice at home is much more intense. Yogaview and Moksha are still top on my list plus I feel like I sweat more and are more balanced from the inside out when I practice at these studios. Next trying the Lab and Tejas. read more

Oh McCorepower. I loved it in college, but then I started going to other more interesting, more experienced, and less expensive studios. Since then, it just hasn't been the same. I cannot handle the extreme to which this place has gone on to "mcdonalize" yoga. Yes, that's a word I made up. A nationwide chain of yoga studios at absurd prices? Is Kathryn Budig teaching my class? I guess the only bright side is it is pretty much the same class every time. Seriously. Six years. Same class. No surprises. Do it with your eyes closed. Namaste. read more

I love it here. Great facility, great teachers (Diana, Brandy, Kat, Christina, Amy. S, Rebecca), and very clean studios. I know I've heard many people say that this place is too corporate for yoga, however, I've been to other studios in the neighborhood and this place is truly great. It's jut wonderful. Yeah, there's going to be annoying patrons who talk loudly on their cell phones before class, but that's just poor manners on their behalf and CorePower has nothing to do with that. Bottom line: the teachers are great, the facility and amenities are wonderful and there are so many different classes throughout the day to take. I can fit in a class at any point of my busy schedule. I totally recommend this place. read more

I love this studio for many reasons. 1. It is less than a mile from my house so I can walk there and back and get a few more calories burned. 2. It is the cleanest and most modern studio I've been to in the Chicagoland area. 3. I love the Yoga Classes, especially Hot Power Fusion. I'm not a huge chaturanga fan and this class has zero, and we don't hang out in down dog all day either. 4. I can't wait for my next CoreRestore class, I wish they had them more often. 4. The instructors are great especially Brandy, Emma, and Diana. I get to go mostly during non-rush hours so the classes are not super crowded. The locker room is small and can get crowded, but that's not why I am there. Yes, the classes are big and there's better than a 50% chance that you won't get a single adjustment or correction, but if you keep going to the same class with the same instructor they start to remember you and usually you get at least a little attention. I can't afford a regular membership here, but when I do get a special offer, I jump on it and take as many classes as I can. Great alternative to 90 minute Bikram. read more

I really love this studio, especially the sculpt classes which seem to be very popular. I was happy to see they have a wide range of weights to use and everyone is at different levels in the class and there is no judgement. It's a great facility..minus the sound of the train that can't be heard in sculpt, but can be heard during the regular yoga classes. I try to go during off peak hours if possible...as these classes are very popular. read more

When it comes to an ass whuppin' this place is a branch not a switch. And by that I mean to say the sculpt yoga class in a sauna nearly killed me and I enjoyed the hell out of it. Thanks to my cousin by marriage for making me think this was a good idea and leaving me torn between wondering if there's any way my bright red face could actually reach 200 degrees and was there any water left in my body. Awesome. read more

Beautiful studio with lots of room and mirrors.

Bridget S. teaches one of the best classes I have ever attended. She has the perfect spirit of the class with great flows and explainations of how to deepen your postures. I would recommend her classes to everyone! read more

Amazing customer service! I had a rather large billing discrepancy and they helped me through it, working with me far more than I would have imagined they'd be able. Plus the classes are tough and the instructors I've had are top notch. Love this studio!! read more

EVERYONE that I have come into contact with at the Bucktown studio has been extremely kind. Each time I have attended a class I have learned something new and continue to gain confidence is my practice. I am currently taking C1 classes and am now ready to take Yoga Sculpt. Each instructor has been amazing and I am so glad that I made the choice to practice with all of you. read more

i am SO glad that core power yoga replaced blockbuster! i love the classes - every time i've gone it's been something different which keeps it interesting. for me, the one-hour format is perfect because i can actually fit it into my schedule without feeling like it takes over my day. the only class i didn't love was the hot power fusion class which was so hot it was really uncomfortable but i love the warmth of the other classes. the facilities are really nice, clean. i love the music in the classes and always leave feeling like i've gotten a workout. read more

The employees here are nice and helpful. I went on a Sunday morning and class was busy but not packed. The instructor, Katie, was awesome and put together a fun soundtrack for the class! read more

My fav corepower! Free massage & coconut water- what? ? 6 peeps in the class, teacher was focused and had great energy. I'm thrilled and wish I had more time to experience the chcg corepowers! read more

I walk past this yoga studio every day at least 4 times and finally decided to try their free week... I think I'm hooked -- two classes in 2 days is a first for me. The new location is amazing - the space has been beautifully remodeled. I was fearful of trying because I have tried to love Bikram yoga for 10 years... so the idea of another studio using heat wasn't exactly appealing. However, the temperature is just perfect and the instructors are friendly and helpful (not like some of the Bikram drill instructors I've had in the past). I've left each class proud of my practice and eager for more. Thank you! read more

I will admit, I was a little iffy about going to CorePower since it seemed so commercial. I was wrong. My friend told me about their free week and had me attend a class with him. I was VERY impressed with the experience overall. I plan to continue going to CorePower not only for their awesome classes but they also offer teacher discounts (yay!). The candleight class is my favorite but get ready to sweat A LOT! Great for all levels, and SO welcoming! read more

This place is pretty fantastic. It's clean and shiny and it has complimentary shampoo and soap and razors in the showers. VERY fancy! The rooms are heated nicely. And the free week is an incredible deal. I docked one star because after the free week, I just find the prices to be not very reasonable. I also don't like the inconsistency of the classes. Too many to choose from. I prefer just one style in order to make my daily practice easier to maintain. read more

Amazing studio. Clean locker rooms and studios. Friendly and helpful yoga instructors.

CorePower Yoga in Bucktown is fantastic! They're offering a free week for new students and you get a discounted rate your first month of membership plus shopping days for yoga gear! The teachers are always very friendly when I am there and they're knowledge about the poses in helping you to understand how each pose is beneficial to your body. I highly recommend new comers to try it out! read more

Just wanted to post about how much of a pleasure it is to practice with Lauren B. Lauren exudes patience and kindness with her instruction and masterfully explains how to do each pose. I wish she led more classes as this location because every time I see her on the schedule I know I will leave feeling happy, refreshed and energized. read more

I stopped in to inquire about starting up. I wasn't really acknowledged even though I was standing right in front of the desk. So I had to make myself known. When i asked about the pricing and schedule the douchey chick behind the desk just passed me a sheet of paper. No explanations, no eye contact, no welcoming feeling, nothing. I was going to purchase a membership, but now I don't know. So many great reviews but my first time walking through the doors was such a drag. Maybe ill be back once I become a douche bag chick as well. read more

I definitely realized that not all CPY studios are created equal. I frequent the Gold Coast and Old Orchard studios, and I am soooo glad I started CPY there, because if I had tried it for the first time at the Bucktown location, I definitely would have been turned off immediately. I am baffled by all the rave reviews because I had one bad experience after another here. Right when I walked in, shoes were strewn about on the welcome mat even with all the free space in the shoe cubbies. I would have never tripped on any of them, but that's just wildly inappropriate and inconsiderate. When I got to the locker room, people's belongings were ALL over the place, and I had to open about ten unlocked lockers only to find that most of them were taken... whatever happened to actually using locks?? I noticed a couple of people huffing too when I opened "their" lockers by mistake. Yeah, because I'm supposed to just magically know... Because I've loved my CPY experience so far, I thought I would let all of this go, but my whole HPF session was extremely disappointing. The train going by every few minutes and the sun streaming in to the studio were definitely unwelcome distractions. And all of that was further exacerbated by the loud music and the fact that the class was horribly packed--the guy to my left was soooo close to me that I could feel his breath, AND he probably ended up sweating on MY mat too! DISGUSTING. How am I supposed to practice properly with all of THAT going on?? I suppose I still ended up getting a decent workout, but I am certainly not coming back to the Bucktown location. read more

Core Power has successfully watered down a yoga practice to a gym class. And you want me to rent mats- really? If you want a workout and don't care much about your teacher having a personality -this is fine. I've practiced for over 10 years and this place just seems like a mcdonaldization of yoga. No thanks. read more

I hated group exercises until trying Corepower. The sculpt classes are an amazing workout for people wanting more than just yoga. After trying my free week over a year ago I never looked back. Bucktown has amazing instructors that get to know each student and put on great classes read more

All core powers are great, but this is my go to studio bc it's close to my house. I go to this studio a lot, but they have 3 classes you can choose from so you don't get bored. Monday's HPF with Cameron Stare really good as she is a great leader and really good leader. Tuesday Sculpt with Danielle Hi classes are amazing. She plays great music and works you like a bowflex, but does it in a way that's still fun. Reyna's sculpt class is also amazing with amazing tunes. If you're new to yoga, this is a perfect place to start. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

I went here for a few years, took a year off, and decided to join again since they were having a groupon discount. I love the classes but now they are all very crowded (at least the evening ones past 6pm). I have never felt a sense of community here, it seems that everyone has their nails done and only wears/uses Lululemon items. There is a very pretentious attitude here, and I have never had a good down-to-earth yoga teacher. Again, the classes are awesome and the locker rooms are nice but definitely lacking in all other aspects. I'm going to try out Zen Yoga Garage down the street once my groupon ends. read more