I'm a trainer, massage therapist and group instructor. Just want you to know this was the best class and teacher (Sarah) I've ever had. Her knowledge, programming, and ability to customize for everyone was remarkable. What a great experience. read more

Absolutely the best yoga studio. These teachers are well-educated and mindful. The practices are accessible and they have all the props you need. If you are looking for a conscientious and safe studio where you can take care of your body and mind, this is it. read more

I am in town only for the summer and Grateful Yoga is easily my top highlights staying in Evanston! Everyone is nice, Nick is the best, and the sense of community and belonging are strong here :). Highly recommended read more

We love grateful yoga! Warm, non-judgmental and welcoming studio for all with wonderful and thoughtful teachers that will guide you gently during your practice. Each teacher has his or her unique own style of teaching which makes each class even more intriguing. Lots of online options with the pandemic even for prenatal women! One of my favorite places for gentle yoga in the area. read more

Grateful Yoga is an intimate studio with a very "conscious" practice philosophy. Their space is spare and lovely, they've got all the props a body could want (mats, chairs, blankets, blocks, sand bags...), and every instructor that I've experienced has a great combination of information and awareness to help you have the best, most conscious practice. (This is not the athletics-focused yoga from the gym, where people are competing to have the most involved inversions or do the most pretzel-like poses.) I originally came to Grateful Yoga for their prenatal classes and I'm so glad I did! Combined with all the other body and soul care pregnancy requires, regular practice at GY helped me have a good experience of this changing body with more mobility and awareness and comfort than I would have had otherwise. It was wonderful to be in a room with other expectant women and experience that sense of sisterhood, and it was wonderful to be guided through exercise specifically designed for the prenatal experience. I learned postures and exercises that I took home with me and practiced through the week. Over the summer (pregnancy months 6-9) I got their unlimited package and took Hatha 1 classes with Nick and Gentle Yoga classes with Rhoda and both were great experiences. They were helpful with modifications for my, um, "expectant" condition. I highly recommend Grateful Yoga to all people, pregnant and not. read more

My favorite yoga studio. The grateful yoga teachers and students are genuine and sincere people. No "yoga is all about bending my body into insane shapes and looking cool" here, just kind and wise teachings about both body and mind. I've had classes with Nick, Lela, Stacia, and Yoli and would strongly recommend all four. Tiny studio, but an extremely welcoming environment. read more

I have practiced yoga in various forms, Vinyasa and Hatha mainly off and on over the years, I am 60, and know that a good experience is instructor/studio dependent. I have now been twice to this studio consecutive Saturdays for an hour and a half with Nick as the instructor. I am so happy! Nick is simply amazing in his teaching skills (I am a elementary teacher;) he is gentle, incredibly knowledgeable sharing his expertise in a way that makes it easy to incorporate both the physical practice and ideology in my daily routine at home. He assesses his students well and adjusts his teaching accordingly to the age of the group. He also happens to have a fantastic sense of humor! I am getting pretty good at holding a pose and laughing at the same time. Give this studio a try you will not be disappointed. read more

We tried this because it was close to us. How lucky we were! We are both over 55, so we were apprehensive about our joint health. This has been just perfect for us, exactly what we need, and so tranquil. Having returned from South America for a few months, this buffered us from the frantic pace of U.S. life. The instructors are all kind, very knowledgeable and helpful. No drill sergeants here! We feel encouraged, empowered and committed to continue our practice when we return to South America. This is a wonderful studio. Get over here! read more

Love this place. It's intimate, fresh and full of great teachers and yogis! They have a wide selection of everything you need for yoga (mats, blocks, straps, blankets, etc...) and its a warm, come-as-you-are, welcoming environment. I've studied at a lot of yoga studios, rarely have I found a studio where I feel as comfortable as I do here. Bravo, GY - may all of your blessings come back to you. read more

My review is specifically about the prenatal classes offered at Grateful Yoga, because I have not yet been able to try out any of the other styles of classes they offer. My recommendation to any Evanston mamas-to-be: Get thee to GY's prenatal classes early and often! Lela is a fabulous teacher who is adept at providing adjustments for women of varying skill levels and at various stages of pregnancy. I also love the intimacy of this studio and the welcoming vibe you get from the moment you walk in the door. A prenatal practice can be an exercise in humility and these things make a difference, or at least they did for me! I tried out several studios before discovering GY and am so grateful I did! read more

Grateful Yoga offers an intelligent, safe, and sustainable approach to yoga. Much respect to owners Nick and Lela Beem, who have created a truly special place where you can begin or deepen your practice under the guidance of expert instructors. read more

As a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine I am always looking for ways to better the health of my patients during my treatments with them and outside in their daily life. For this reason, I often send many of my patients who would benefit from movement-based therapy such as yoga, to see Nick and Lela at Grateful Yoga in Evanston. I know that by sending them to Grateful Yoga, they will get the results they are looking for, whether it is rehabbing an old injury or working through the stresses of a fast-paced lifestyle. I also know that they will receive proper instruction and professional care as Nick and Lela have been teaching yoga professionally for a considerable amount of time. Therefore, I feel confident in recommending their services to anyone who is interested in trying yoga, whether a beginner or expert. read more

I give Nick and Lela the highest praise. They are excellent teachers--challenging yet kind, serious yet lighthearted. Grateful Yoga is not a showoff kind of place. No one is checking out who has better balance or who has the hippest clothing. The teachers promote an atmosphere of clear focus on oneself in the present moment, every moment. This is really yoga for the whole self. It's not just a workout, it is yoga and meditation for your body, mind and spirit. That sounds cheesy, I know, but it is actually true. Lela and Nick share their deep and broad knowledge with their students, so you don't just go through the postures, you connect with your body and begin to understand the postures. They will warmly help you to modify any poses to accommodate your body as needed. I had taken yoga classes in a few different places before I found GY. I always liked yoga all right, but I truly did not understand why people become so dedicated to it until I took my first class with Nick. It was an aha moment. "*This* is why people love yoga so much!" The studio is not huge. It is open and has really high ceilings, so the feeling is spacious. They encourage drop-ins. If you want to come back regularly (I'm sure you will) they offer a 6-class or 12-class punch card that makes their already reasonable prices more of a bargain. read more

I had a therapeutic yoga appointment with Lela. After a thorough intake, Lela created customized energizing and calming yoga practices focused on my goals and her observations. I was able to record the instruction so that I can practice on my own until our next appointment. I appreciate getting the one on one instruction on my form and breath. I will definitely recommend my clients try therapeutic yoga at Grateful Yoga. read more

these yoga teachers are the real deal. if you want a balanced practice that will bring the best of you, you must go to grateful yoga. really, you're safe with these people in every sense of the word - you won't hurt your body and you won't be embarrassed practicing, but you will be challenged into being the best you. i heart these guys. read more

Agree with all the Miss M. said. In addition to taking yoga classes I have participated in the variety of workshops that Nick, Lela and other guest instructors present occasionally. All are informative and provide different points of view regarding the body and mind. I especially recommend the "Calm Within Chaos" classes, an 8 week class that is offered from time to time. It really will change the way you manage your life using the age old wisdom of yoga and the newest scientific research on the brain. I was so impressed I'm going to do it a second time. read more

I have been going to Grateful Yoga for almost two years and am consistently impressed with the practice, atmosphere and the amazing teachers. I always get a lot out of each class and feel better. Whether you are a novice of yoga, working through an injury, or a devotee of the practice, Grateful Yoga will accommodate your needs. This is an absolutely lovely, heartfelt studio that embraces all. Namaste. read more

Owners Lela and Nick bring a profound respect for the practice and their teaching of yoga. Calm vibe in the space, a lovely hardwood floored storefront. I learn something new about the history and tradition of yoga with every one of Nick's classes. I am also challenged by each class - in a non-competitve way. I have expanded my physical abilities and my sense of inner peace through a combination of group and individual sessions. Always excited to come to class! read more