I've heard about Ritual Hot Yoga as there's one in San Francisco. That said, I haven't checked out the studio and was excited to find that there was a location close to my hotel. I got there early and was greeted by Niah. She helped me get acquainted with the studio and set up with my mat towel. Love a studio pup, so it was such a treat meeting Mars, Niah's dog. I appreciated the ambiance of the room. The dark walls with flameless candles created the feeling of sacredness, which is exactly what my yoga practice means to me. It's my own, and the fact I couldn't see everyone else gave me freedom to explore my practice without judgment. I honestly had no expectations of the class. I was just excited to do yoga and listen to the throwback Thursday playlist. I had no idea I was going to put in work! Plus the room was much hotter than I'm used to, so I got a good sweat in. Niah's flow was simple but also challenging as she offered options to level up the practice. It was a great well rounded class, and she made it accessible for all levels of experience. I would highly recommend this studio, and check out Niah's class! She's an awesome teacher. read more

I was on a business trip and looking to get some hot yoga on my free mornings. I signed up for Ritual and it exceeded my expectations. Great atmosphere, they thought of everything... you need a water bottle, they have extras and they have showers and everything you need. Most importantly the teachers were kind I was with Anniaha and her yin class was just what I needed. love the all black aesthetic. The class was comfortable hot and I love that they incorporate small touch /massage throughout class. read more

Ritual Hot Yoga - River North - Yoga Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing instructors and classes. My favorite part of the day!!! It helps me with managing stress and improving my mobility/strength

I'm obsessed with Ritual Hot Yoga! I go purely for the Yin Yoga class, which is the most delightful and relaxing yin yoga I've been too. I go on days when I workout and want some recovery, or just days I am not feeling my best and want to feel sexy, confident, and less stressed...all of which you get by doing a yin yoga class here! The temp of the room is perfect and completely dark with just candle lighting. They provide you with everything you could need, including a water bottle if you forget yours, deodorant/ wipes, showers, hair ties, etc. Each class starts off with a focus + meditation, a quick shoulder massage, and the instructors are always so wonderful! The pace of the classes is not too fast nor too long of holds. I could say so much about this place, but recommend you try it to see for yourself! read more

So glad I discovered Ritual. I am not a gym person, and always struggled to find a workout class I felt comfortable in, so finding Ritual has been a huge breakthrough for me. Candlelit rooms, cool towels and massages to end class, amazing playlists... It took me a while to be able to keep up and get comfortable moving in the dark and heat, but it's amazing to feel the progress as you level up poses and gain endurance across the board. The teachers are great at leveling out poses and reminding everyone to breath as they flow, which really helps you focus on yourself and your practice, rather than your surroundings and thoughts. The perfect escape and workout. read more

Hot yoga to the beat! I love yoga and is very used to hot traditional and Bikram yoga. Forget about all these practices if you for to RHY. It's like yoga cardio. There are no poses, it's continuous yoga movement to hip hop (or whatever music of the day is playing) beats. Super fun and challenging. They literally provide you with EVERYTHING! Towels, mats, water, and enthusiasm. All you need to bring is your will power to live through the practice. The best parts: a massage before and after (although very short, still so precious) and the eucalyptus mint cool towel. DEE-VINE!! The not so best part: you have to download an app to participate even if it's just a one time visit and parking was not so hot Pro tip: if you purchase a one time visit, they will offer you a 1 week trial for a nominal price. Watch out for that email and substitute! Get hot and sweaty to the beats and yoga enjoy yourself ‍ read more

Such a welcoming place and staff! I was a little nervous coming to my first class because I've never been there nor have I ever taken a hot yin class before. But glad I really got a chance to try the studio as well as the class! Not only is the studio, beautiful, full of amenities, but everyone is really nice, and I'm not only talking about the staff, but everyone in the class were really nice and helpful. The staff will walk you through the studio, how to check in and class flows.. love that they have showers. The location is really easily assessable to transportation. You have to be patient in between classes because the space is medium sized and as classes let out or going into class, there's a bit of traffic. But than that, I think you enjoy taking any other classes atthe Studio. read more

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I would definitely recommend Ritual Hot Yoga which was such an amazing experience being a first time. I loved it where there were people there to guide you and after the sweat session it really made me want to come back for more. This gives you a calming aspect that you need either for the beginning or end of your week. Bring along a friend if you want to. They have class options which works best for everyone. read more

Ritual Hot Yoga - River North - Yoga Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This hit is HOT and I loved it! Super fun music, you get a massage, a cold and a great class!! Also showers with towels available is such a bonus! read more

This is a beautiful yoga studio in a convenient location. Close to public transport, and there is also street parking available. I love the atmosphere of the dimly lit studio and the candles. It's great to get into a hot class and sweat during the rough Chicago winters. The cool eucalyptus towel at the end of the class is such a nice touch and gives a lux feel. read more

Best yoga studio I've ever been to. Perfect blend of yoga, cardio, strength and stretching. Oh, and the staff if awesome

Phenomenal classes, very relaxing and easy class for beginners and yet a good challenge for those that have experience in hot classes. The oils and music are amazing Instructors are super cool Xavier was definitely my favorite classes read more

Probably will take some time for people to get used to. The flows classes are faster paced so they do require some energy/intensity - but you make tremendous progress and also really get to put in work. This is by far my favorite studio. read more

After spending two years exploring hot yoga studios in Chicago, I can confidently say no other studio compares to Ritual Hot Yoga. It's definitely a hidden gem in the city. They've taken yoga to the next level with a dark, infrared-heated room; an in-sync, one-breath/one-beat flow, and teachers who bring their A game to each and every class with inspiration and positive messages sprinkled throughout class. But what truly sets this studio apart from all the rest is the strong, caring community. It's been a literal godsend throughout the pandemic. River Noth and now the new location in Lakeview are not to be missed! Love these studios, the members and all the teachers! If you're in Chicago, it's a must try!!! read more

This review is specifically for ClassPass or drop ins. For those looking to add a variety to their workout routine this probably isn't the right place. The pace is extremely fast and not at all for beginners. If you go here on a regular basis you might be able to enjoy it, but if you are just looking for a more traditional yoga experience that allows you to relax and get some deep stretching and a change of pace from the more high intensity boot camps then this probably isn't the place for you. Also the mats and towels are really flimsy so even if I had a clue what I was even being told to do, I wasn't comfortable moving quickly because the towel wasn't grippy at all and was sliding all over. If you are a first timer, might be best to see if they offer a free first class before using up your credits. read more

Fantastic experience!! So incredible that they have mats set up and provide mat and body towels. They even have reusable clean water bottles you can. Highly recommend !!!! read more

I love Ritual! It's such a relaxing studio with a positive environment. The flows are challenging, but they are good about walking us through new poses. The massage at the beginning and ending of each session are such a treat! The memberships are very expensive is the only downside for me but it is worth it. read more

Such a gorgeous studio and amazing staff. This is not your typical hot yoga class so, plan accordingly but what a great way to push yourself and build community! read more

Wow! What a cool experience. I went to try a class with my friend who is a member, and it was incredible! Such a high energy workout. They turn all of the lights out and the room is lit only by candles, plus it is hot yoga so it's real toasty in there! The instructor was great - she led the class along with the beat of the upbeat music, which I loved. Everyone was super friendly and it was an AMAZING workout. Look forward to going back soon! read more

I love RHY! The owner Lindsey is great and Marissa, Irene, Nicole, etc. are wonderful! The community is awesome too - we have met a many of the members on their yoga retreats (specifically, Bali and Bahamas) and made some lifelong friends and memories. They take great care in their business and community - I would recommend the classes to everyone at all levels. It's fun, no judgment and a great workout. It's unique with the candlelight (working on balance in the dark), heat, plus moving to the beat of the music. With the virtual option, the music and the teaching are still there but in the comfort of your home. I would highly recommend both options when available - the virtual schedule is robust to accommodate everyone's schedules (even on the weekends!). I would recommend trying the regular class and Yin because you appreciate Yin more after the regular class (I like the double classes - some people do triple with the hot abs class first!). read more

My new favorite yoga spot! If you want to feel the burn, get a good stretch in, and work in the cardio and yoga, this is the place. Not for people who are beginners, afraid of the dark, afraid of their own sweat, afraid of other people's sweat (because you get a massage from the instructor who touches EVERYONE but you kinda also don't care at that point!). The classes are EXPENSIVE though. And a monthly membership is $220... I'll stick to ClassPass for now then... read more

Amazing instructors and pretty challenging classes! This facility takes "hot" to another level. They have heated studios with sauna-like walls and floors. I truly had a spiritual experience while pushing myself to the next level! I would definitely recommend :) read more

Gamechanger. Ritual Hot Yoga is the best thing that has ever happened to Chicago, and to me. I started out with a 10 Day Unlimited Pass, which I recommend using first if it is your first time flowing at Ritual, and definitely try every teacher to see which styles connect best with you (they each flow uniquely and play different music) - you have got to try all the possibilities. The studio has gone out of its way to make sure that there's at least one style that works for everyone, doesn't matter whether you are advanced or a beginner. After I tried the 10-pass, it was a no brainer for me, I knew that Ritual is where I wanted to be and new exactly which teachers I wanted to flow with, I've been a member for a little over one year now. I've tried all of the other yoga and dance studios across Chicago and New York and none of them have soul like this one, I can confidently say that with absolute certainty. Ritual truly has taken the yoga experience to an entirely new level, I feel like I'm in my own world when I'm flowing in my sacred space. It's the one thing I look forward to every day after working my very busy Data Science job, and I even started ditching my friends to come here because there's literally no other place I'd rather be. This is a solid community. The founders have gone out of their way to make sure that people have a magical experience, and the passion shows. As part of the yoga experience: We always start with a meditation where we close our eyes and practice to be mindful (The "breath-to-beat" is timed perfectly), which helps to set the tone for the rest of class. The infrared-heated room is next level. Teachers bring their A-game. Lavender oil is provided at the beginning of class and then followed with a cold wet Eucalyptus face towel at the end of class during shavasana. If you don't want to be touched, just place your hand on your heart and you will be left alone - Ritual respects everyone's space. We are advised to stay quiet during all of class so that none of our spaces feel disrupted. You will leave the flow feeling beautiful, euphoric and sexy. The studio offers showers, changing rooms, hair ties, water bottles, yoga mats, shower towels, hair spray, deodorant, sweat towels, a cute waiting area, private lessons, sound meditation workshops, member events. There's so much love, laughter and great energy in the air, you can just feel it from the people who have especially been attending for a while now, who have a great sense of appreciation for the experience. The retreats are super awesome too, the last one was in Mykonos, Greece. I'm signed up for the next one in St. Lucia, can't wait. Sign me up for everything you got Ritual. Good vibes only read more

It wasn't what I needed or hoped for. I won't be back. I wanted a powerful,steamy,guided stretch session and it was more fast and ill taught. It was actually excessively fast-paced, leaving little room for participants to properly engage with the poses or connect with their breath. Additionally, there was a noticeable lack of focus on core stimulation, which is essential for a well-rounded yoga experience. Overall, the class did not meet expectations and failed to provide the benefits I would expect from a successful hot yoga session. I felt the instructor lacked skill and was just winging it with the guided "speech" --could have done without. Will not be my go to spot to unwind unfortunately. read more

My favorite yoga studio in Chicago! Loved the music, ambiance, lighting--everything about this place. I will say they were a bit lax on their covid restrictions last year tho so minus a star for that. read more

In search of a new yoga home, I booked a class through Class Pass. Unfortunately, prior to the class I locked myself out of my car. I ended up calling another Ritual location and they said it would be no problem to check me in and they would push me to a later class to avoid ClassPass's no show fees -- I just needed to call River North location. Having worked for a yoga studio, I know this is pretty common practice. However, once I called River North the receptionist refused to accommodate me -- and actually was rude about it. I called Class Pass and they understood the situation and waived the fee. It's unfortunate that the studio itself could not provide simple customer service but their other location and Class Pass were more than willing. Perhaps this studio should focus less about "breathe to beat" and practice more dayá with incoming practitioners. read more

I've taken a few classes here this autumn via ClassPass, and I'm really glad I've gotten an opportunity to check it out! I have taken a few open level classes with Michelle, and I feel privileged to have practiced with someone with such an extensive background in fitness (she was on the U.S. National Rhythmic Gymnastics Team... how cool is that?!). Each class is practiced by candlelight, which is a genius idea, because you're not worried about others around you when you can't really see them! It's also nice to not have light glaring down on you while you're practicing. The music both in the lobby and during class has been on point every single time I've gone to the studio, and I absolutely love that they offer free mat towels and mats, water, extra pony tails, chapstick... more yoga studios should take note! This is classy. This is their only location in Chicago, but they also have home bases in SF and NYC. We are VERY lucky to have them. I honestly was disappointed when after my third class of the month on ClassPass, I got a little pop-up on my app saying I couldn't visit again until next month! It's my favorite yoga studio by far. Can't wait to come back again next month! You guys rule! read more

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Great place. Welcoming crowd, and very much a community. I enjoyed the classes there immensely.

I came here while on a business trip. It was quite different from my home yoga studio but it was a perfect place to catch a class while traveling. Mats, towels, water are all provided. I liked the candlelight touch. Flow was very challenging which I appreciated. The one thing that was a little strange for me was that the mic the teacher talked through for cues. The level cues were also a little different. My normal teachers just cue very differently and there's no mic. But everything is perspective and I'm sure the regulars are used to it. I loved the hip hop music and the staff was very warm and welcoming. Best of all, the studio is dog-friendly and I met this beauty. Check the pictures! I would definitely return the next time I am in town. read more

Ritual Hot Yoga - River North - Yoga and puppies' - Yoga Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Not my thing. I look for a centering practice that leaves me feeling at peace, which was far from this. They smear essential oils on you without asking (what an unpleasant surprise!), are creepily touchy, then rush through the poses while blasting top40 like you're at some sort of boot camp. Decent workout. Not everywhere can be like NYC or CA I suppose read more

I really enjoy coming to this yoga studio and love how hot the room is. One thing is they never start the 5:45 am class on time and someone who works at the hospital I need to be out by a certain time to make my shift. Quite a few classes I have been to have started 10-12 minutes late which is just rude to everyone who is up early. Other than that I really like this place and Alyx the instructor is awesome. read more

I feel like people either love or hate this place. I overall had an okay experience with the studio space and staff, but the style of yoga that they practice just isn't for me. After reading a lot of reviews that talk about how nice the studio is and how luxurious the amenities are, I think I was expecting a lot more. Yes, they provide everything from water to hair ties to bags for your sweaty clothes, but they don't have a separate locker room type area because the space is loft-like and pretty small. The lockers are right in the main check in area and so is the amenity bar. So if you want to get ready using those amenities you have to do it in the individual bathrooms or in front of everyone, which is a bit weird. The instructor who taught my class was super kind and welcoming, and showed me where everything was and how to get set up. I liked that they provide mats and towels so you really don't have to bring anything. But the mats and towels provided again did not seem particularly luxurious, I actually thought they seemed a bit thin and cheap. They tell you that the mat towels are specifically designed for gripping- didn't really work. More on that later. I absolutely loved the idea of flowing in a dark room with candlelight because I thought it would it help me concentrate on my own flow and really luxuriate in my own practice. BUT. The "breath to beat" style of yoga practiced here was WAY, WAY too fast for me. Literally frantic. I'm not a beginner and I can generally flow on my own in a hot class pretty well. The intro section here I was okay, and then got completely lost for the entire rest of the class. You flow to the rapid beat of weird hip hop style tracks, and I just had no idea what the moves were that the instructor was calling out. The instructors here use completely different cues and names of moves and postures than I have ever heard in any yoga class- and I've taken a lot of them. There is also absolutely no demonstration whatsoever by the instructor, so you can't really utilize the dark room to concentrate on your practice because you will be lost and half watching other people to figure out what is happening. In my class basically everyone looked equally lost and frustrated. I can understand how some people love this if they are very familiar with the Ritual cues, but to me it just felt like a workout class, NOT yoga. There is no time at all to understand the postures or make sure that you are doing them safely. The room also gets super hot, which I love, but they are instructing you towards pretty advanced poses and I was frequently slipping on the clip on towels, which I felt was dangerous. They claim to give modifications for "levels 1-4", but the verbal instruction is so fast that it was pretty impossible to figure out which level you are and attempt to execute the corresponding poses. During the last 5 minutes the instructor started talking about intentions and the purpose of yoga, but after the extremely disjointed practice I couldn't really get into that mode. The cold eucalyptus towel was really the only consolation at the very end. I definitely sweat a lot, but was not satisfied at all with my workout or practice- my body did not feel all gooey, stretched out, and realigned like I normally feel at the end of a great yoga class. I felt frustrated and like I needed to go to another yoga class to make up for this experience. Again, the instructor was extremely kind; at the end of class I expressed my frustration with the pace and she offered their intro offer for 10 days with individual workshopping to help you learn the names and poses that they cue. I appreciated the offer, but feel like this is just a sell to get people locked in to an intro offer. I use ClassPass because I travel frequently for work, so it's not worth it for me to join a studio in one place. For someone not local to Chicago who wanted a solid drop in studio while I'm in town, this was an extremely frustrating and not worthwhile class offering. These classes are also some of the highest credit options on ClassPass. Also, if you have a car, there is no free parking in the area. To pay a high amount of credits on ClassPass, pay for parking, and then not enjoy my experience, it was just not great overall. I would not return. If you love super fast paced flow yoga this might be your jam, but if you enjoy yoga at your own pace and as a meditative realigning practice more than just a pure workout, this is probably not for you. read more

The best hot yoga in Chicago!!! I've been to a lot of studios, this studio gives you the best work out in the least amount of time (only 50 mins) you don't need to remember a mat? They already have them placed in the studio, so there's also no wasted studio space or needing to ask anyone to move over a little. Fantastic teachers, there's only a few of them so they truly care about the studio. Love this place. Highly recommend treating yourself to an hour on their mats. read more

This is the best place for yoga in Chicago! I've had a membership with them for over a year and they're the best. The dark room allows you to focus on your flow without any distractions and the heat is incredible! You must go if you're in the city. read more

I "flirted" with this studio on class pass for almost 2 years, booking classes whenever I could. I loved the unique vibe and intense work out. Finally, last November I committed full time and I have seen my practice and strength grow immensely! I also enjoy the meditation benefits as well as the well maintained facilities. If you love hot yoga, this is IT! #goodvibes read more

After hesitantly joining a complimentary free class, I must admit, this was the best workout experience I've possibly ever had. After years of not being physically active I was intimidated at the idea of an intimate yoga studio. That changed as soon as I was met with the sweet staff who reiterates the importance of inclusion. Are you a beginner? Have you been doing yoga for 20 years? Never even heard of yoga? This is the place for you. A truly challenging class for all fitness levels... even beginners like me. The class is very hot, swift and efficient. I must say I was quite impressed. Although I realize hot yoga isn't for everyone, the benefits of not only the physical- but the mental clarity after each class is unmatched compared to others in the city. Also: there were some comments about there not being "no slip towels" and I will say accurately that has not been my experience. The towels are great, they have the little "grippers" on the bottom that don't slide with the workout. Try the complimentary free class, do the 10 day unlimited, and make this place your new spot. read more

Not my kind of yoga but I'm glad I tried it out. I had a positive experience with the staff, amenities, and studio overall. I bought the 10 day unlimited for new students ($50), which is a great deal considering one class costs $30. The first time I took a class here, I was not a fan. It's very fast paced and I struggled with the towel you have to lay on your mat - I kept slipping and it can be very dangerous when you're moving quickly through poses. The combination of fast movements + failing to teach proper form can seriously lead to injury. I also thought the teacher talked too much throughout the class. It was distracting and the lessons trying to be taught seemed forced. I did take a few more classes, and it grew on me a little after getting used to the flows. Overall, I don't think it's a well rounded practice (i.e. you rush through all the poses with no guidance on form), and not physically challenging enough for me. It's mostly the heat in the room that makes you sweat. On the bright side, the space is clean and very nice. They provide both yoga and mat towels, water bottles, showers, lockers, and some toiletries. You don't even have to bring a mat. Perfect for people on the go. I believe they even have options to do your laundry. Staff and teachers were always welcoming and friendly. I think that Ritual can be great for some people. However, it was just not for me. If you like fast paced and very structured hot yoga, give this place a shot. read more

So...I threw out my back and hadn't worked out in over two weeks. I felt like I really wanted to rock a hot yoga class, but I also needed one where I felt like I could, uh, hide under a rock if I needed to. Enter Ritual Hot Yoga, where the lights are off, and everything is by candlelight. Plenty of room to hide here! Anyways, although that was the plus for me today, everything else about this place is gonna keep me coming back. First off, everything is provided - mat, yogitoes (an awesome towel to cover your mat, oh, and clips on the mat to hold the yogitoes in place!), towels, and water. Hell, they even have lip balm. So basically, all you need to do is show up. There's changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, and lockers, so they've aced everything on that front, too. Now to the class. I took class with Irene, with Julia assisting. Both 100% understood where I was coming from with my back issue, and made it clear that taking a child's pose at any time during class was perfectly okay, and that I didn't have to worry about being "that person" in class (you know, the one who just does what they want and kills the zen vibe). We moved to the beat of the music, and Irene's cueing was amazing. I had to focus and really listen to her, versus my usual zoning out, which kept my mind from wandering and helped class fly by. Julia was there for adjustments and some massage action, while also taking the class, so I always had a visual reference in case I got confused. Ahh, and the heat. The room was perfectly warmed to the "oh, man, am I gonna make it through this class?" versus the "oh, shit, I'm gonna die" temp. In a nutshell, the fanciest hot yoga I've ever experienced. You only need to bring yourself, zone out (or in, like me!), and do you. Love it. read more

Great classes! Early morning class times are appreciated. Serious yoga instructors and love the studio. Highly recommend. read more

This is the only yoga studio I've ever been to where I've really felt at home. I'm completely indebted to the dedicated teachers for all the progress I've made in a few short months. The dark room, the intensely creative flows, music and style, the amazing assists and adjustments and the cooling eucalyptus towels & massages at the end make this one of my favorite places to spend my time--it is so much more than just yoga and the teachers are so much more than instructors. You will be totally addicted to the way Ritual leaves you feeling and the sense of community that this crew cultivates. Even my dog loves to come here and play while I practice and is a regular at the studio! read more

Ritual Hot Yoga - River North - Louis enjoying Ritual in his hoodie :) - Yoga Near Me - Chicago, Illinois