Sadly, it looks as though this center has closed. It saved my life 25 years ago, offering the only peace and joy I felt each week for several years. I continued yoga when I moved to the west coast, and credit this Sivananda Center with putting me on a path away from suffering and toward Life. I wish it were still open so I could make a trip to visit. If anyone from the center still reads this page: thank you. read more

This is where I first learned about yoga many years ago, and it continues to be the place i wish to go when I want yoga practice.

Very highly recommend Sivananda Center to any beginner and experienced practitioners. The free beginner class was one of the most comprehensive and enlightening educational experience on asanas, transpired in a warm and inviting atmosphere by the caring and dedicated instructor. I 200 hr yoga teacher teacher certification and countless classes and workshops under my belt, and still incredibly benefited by the instructions and explanations of certain elements of asanas during the class. Thank you for the beautiful and enlightening experience! Excited to go back today for Hatha class! read more

For me, the Sivananda Center is a beacon of light and peace in the city. I feel better just walking in the door. The physical space is bright and cheerful, the staff and teachers are welcoming and caring and there is a diverse and interesting community of students. It is professional and has a laid back and approachable vibe; no fancy yoga pants needed. I took my first class at the Center about 3 years ago and have been attending classes consistently since then. What I love about the Center's classes is the simplicity and authenticity of the practice. As other reviews here say it also, "this is the real deal." No other yoga has had such a profound effect on me "off the mat" as the Sivananda practice. I feel aligned and energized after each class and the effects of the class stick with me. I also recommend their courses and workshops. Taking the Yoga 1-3 courses is a great way to learn and advance through the class sequence. I also recommend the Positive Thinking and Meditation course. Attending this course (twice) has given me real, applicable techniques for feeling better and reducing the effects of stress "off the mat." I have also taken their vegetarian cooking workshops which were fun. Very hands on and great food to share at end. read more

This is the best little yoga center in Chicago. If you are stressed or want to lose weight, but are not impressed with pretentious yoga classes at some chic gym, this is where you should take classes. I was introduced to Sivananda Yoga in college and I would not practice any other form. I don't need to. This has all the components of what yoga is and should be. The students who live at the center can give you the true yoga experience. They are modest and live so. The first class is free, but practice good karma and give! The only downside is the location. I live south and can get here during the summer, but its a little tougher when the weather gets cold. read more

This place is heavenly. I became a member in September of this year. I was a complete beginner and am now absolutely in love and obsessed with Sivananda Yoga. This place is excellent for both beginners and seasoned veterans. I took Yoga I with Ehsan and am now in Yoga II (also with Ehsan). Class sizes are intimate so you receive a lot of attention and feedback from your teacher as you move through each pose. You determine how quickly you progress throughout the course but your teacher will know precisely how and when to encourage you to challenge yourself. I recently began attending open classes as well, which are bigger in size but just as attentive to your form and progress. I purchased a monthly pass (unlimited visits) and get great use out of it. There are many other options for purchasing drop-in cards, etc. Lastly, I highly recommend becoming a member if you are serious about learning/continuing this style of yoga. The discounts are terrific and you'll be supporting a truly wonderful space. I look forward to taking the positive thinking and meditation course in the near future. read more

Ommmmm. The real thing. No pretentiousness. New managers, very lively. The classes here are no-frills, not trendy. LOVE it.

I've been going for the past several weeks. I first came for two open classes last fall, but got caught up in work so I wasn't able to continue then. This time I'm really going for it and have signed up for a course and am taking a couple of open classes per week. This practice really promotes going within and is meditative and holistic. I feel many other yoga studios focus primarily on the physical benefits of yoga, which are all GREAT, but this place keeps love and consciousness at the center of the practice. Would recommend to everyone! read more

I really wish I would have had a better experience here. After reading great reviews, I decided to check it out myself, and enjoyed being able to take advantage of the first class free. I came about 15 minutes before the class, and was not quite sure where to go. Someone intercepted me in the hallway, directed me upstairs, and had me sign in. This was all well & good. Before class started, I informed the teacher about some injuries and told her that I would need to modify certain things because I cannot do certain poses without causing great pain. Class starts, and within minutes, I was wishing I could just leave. I don't like being singled out, especially after already having explained my injuries and my need to make modifications. Being singled out repeatedly and having the instructor place her hands on me while trying to push my body into a certain pose made me VERY uncomfortable. Because of that, I will never come back here. I also thought the carpet in the room was gross, and that it smelled slightly moldy. read more

I highly recommend taking the positive thinking course. The teacher was very calm, informative, and caring, and really introduced real practical methods for positive thinking and overcoming fear, anger, how to forgive, etc. based on the Vedanta philosophy. It's really changed the way I've seen things and my attitude. And believe it or not I actually feel like I don't have to dread the little things in my life that I normally dread--in work situations, in personal relationships, little battles with myself, etc. I actually would totally take this class again so I can continue to understand and listen to the teachings of this class! I would like to take the yoga classes and have heard good things, but haven't yet. read more

My favorite place to go for classical yoga, adapted for the Western mind. The staff are attentive, warm and welcoming. The space is bright and clean. The vedanta teachings are authentic and lovely. Despite what you may have read recently, place the principles above the personality and bask in the loving kindness of this place. It is truly an oasis. read more

I love this style of yoga; it truly feels good for body and soul. I echo other reviews in that the yoga practiced here is pure and no frills. This place is a true gem. :) read more

A-OK I'm taking a beginner's course here and am about halfway through. I've taken yoga at a lot of other places throughout the city and so, while I do like this center and the classes, it's definitely more traditional and a little...well, weird. (I'm going to catch some flak for that comment, I'm sure!) I know that traditional yoga focuses more on the spiritual side and that westernized yoga is considered a bastardized by some. But I guess I've been doing the western version for so much longer that I'm more used to it. So, I really do like the kind and gentle people working at the center and am impressed with the level of instruction and small, hands on classes. But I feel like a bad little kid, struggling not to laugh, when we do the unusual nostril breathing, long Hindi chants, and eye exercises. Once we get to the yoga, I'm happy! So, I'd certainly try it out, but go with an open mind. I'll keep working on keeping my mind open! read more

I took the beginners yoga here. 4 weeks, twice per week. I loved it. The classes are designed to have no more than 6 people in them, so it's very individualized. The instructor makes sure you are doing everything correctly. I will be going back for the advanced class soon. read more

I have been practicing yoga for a couple of years on & off. Since I moved to Chicago a year ago I hadn't practiced AT ALL until a few months ago solely in my living room. I've decided to take yoga teacher training in the fall and decided to start trying different variations of yoga. Sivananda Yoga Center was recommended to me by a friend and I LOVED it! The first visit is free (a plus) and upon leaving no one tried to make me join anything. A very relaxed atmosphere and great practice. They combine breathing exercises, positions, and mediation in 90 minutes. You've GOT to give this place a try!!! Namaste read more

FWIW, I didn't have a great experience at Sivananda, but I have a very good friend who LOVES it and practices regularly there, so I'd be willing to give it another shot at some point... But here are my two cents: I am relatively new to Yoga. Practiced on and off during high school and college, and then forgot about it for my first 3 years in Chicago. Late this summer, I began taking one class weekly at another studio in the north suburbs, and loved it so much, I decided to check out a few different places in the city in an attempt to broaden my horizons. I headed to Sivananda in early fall at the recommendation of above-mentioned friend. Originally, I'd planned to take class *with* my friend, but a change in his schedule resulted in me rolling in to their "open" class on my own, with my uninitiated boyfriend in tow. I'd called ahead to make sure it was "okay" for us to attend the open class, as I was conscious of my beginner-ness being a potential drawback/distraction for the rest of the class, which my friend had described as being at a basic/intermediate level. The person on the phone was friendly enough, and assured me that "we are very humble in our practice here," which calmed my fears temporarily. Anyway, the class was frustrating to say the least. The teacher barked out commands like a drill sargeant, and kept count like a metronome as he led us through pranayama exercises, which was incredibly unnerving and distracting. Then during the asana practice, he spent more time browbeating my boyfriend and me for having the audacity to come to his class rather than the beginner-level class, than paying attention to his other students who were, in accordance with my original fear, very distracted and visibly perturbed by our presence and/or the undue amount of frustrated attention he was sending our way. Maybe we were just unlucky in who we had for a teacher that evening; however, the result was that I walked away from practice with a sense of disappointment and shame, and that is a deal breaker in the yoga world. Maybe if I'd been vetted through their beginner-level progression, I wouldn't have left with such a negative feeling, but in my book there is a more constructive way to "handle" students who aren't at the level of the class being taught. Students like me should be welcomed, and their interest piqued in your specific philosophy or modality of practice, so that (hopefully) they pursue further exploration within your organization, not walk away with a bad taste in their mouth. read more

I only took the intro class so my review is based on the one class. This yoga style is focus on more on breathing and meditation practice than physical. It's different than other places. It's a nice studio and comfortable small size. I like to learn more about breathing exercise. read more

I love this place. It is the best place to unwind with a fabulous yoga class. They also offer different levels of classes and have several celebrations throughout the year and host visitors that hold special classes. read more

For years, different friends, colleagues, and assorted medical professionals suggested I try yoga to reduce stress, calm my mind, strengthen my body, and help with my asthma and other ailments. I wanted to find a yoga studio (not a gym) that focused on the mind as well as the body. I couldn't be happier with what I found here. I didn't want to deal with the "scene" at a gym or studio where people were more concerned about what they wore and carried the right gym bags. All shapes, ages, colors, and spirits come to this studio. It's become my "safe place" after work, I look forward to coming, where I can leave the world at the door and retreat into the calm warm canary walls inside. I started with the Beginner courses (Parts 1 and 2) and the instructor Kanti couldn't have been more patient; it's as though she were trained to be a beginner teacher, as her method and pace of instruction is perfect for the unknowing beginner like myself. She even has a calming voice that nearly erases stress. Although I don't cater to any religion, I imagine the chanting at the beginning and end of class to be more like a source of meditation and calmness instead of a prayer, where one can get lost in the rhythm of the words. The breathing exercises I'm finding useful to help open up my lungs and find myself better managing my asthma (which was a goal). Attending just twice a week for 2 months I've already found a significant increase in upper-body strength, balance, and control. For someone who hates to exercise and to sweat, I find myself practicing at home and looking forward to classes. One day when I had to miss class, I made it up during an open class. There were far more advanced yogis there, but there were also some that were near-beginners like me, and I still felt comfortable, as long as I concentrated on my own level of skill instead of being in a competition with others. The instructor was very kind during the open class in helping spot me, or give some helpful suggestions. It was a great workout. I'm attending a special workshop this weekend and look forward to being a member here for a long time - but I have issues with commitment - 2 months is going strong for me! So this is a good sign. read more

I did yoga at this studio for the first time ever this past year. I liked the general feel of the place and they offer a discounted rate to first time yoga patrons. I went with anxiety of the downward dog and having to put my legs behind my ears, but I was surprised that most of the yoga practiced here involved breathing and relaxation exercises versus the contouring body positions. I found the class relaxing, but wondered if it would also give me a good workout. I realized then that I was a lot more out of shape than I had originally thought! My stomach had one of the best workouts of my life, and I was sore for a good week afterwards. Who knew?! My only criticisms of the place included the heavy praying in Hindu, as I just couldn't seem to feel comfortable about praying to a different God than what my beliefs are, and also the green carpeting. Carpets remind me of manifesting germs held into their smelly fibers. I'm weird, I know! read more

The past 4 years of Hatha Yoga with Sivananda; my body limber, limbs stronger and breathing that I use to help control my emotions during the day to day stresses. I attend their retreat center during our winter months to escape our harsh Chicago winters. Love and wish this serenity and peace for everyone. BJ read more

My fiance and I have been taking classes (Beginning Part I and Part II) here for about three months now, and I have to say that the two hours we spend at Sivananda on Saturday morning have become our favorite part of the week. If you are searching for a yoga practice that is classical and holistic and yes, spiritual, then this will feel like home to you. The instructors are gentle, patient people and the classes are so small (only four in our current one!) that you feel like you are really getting individual attention. The only downside is that there is usually delicious-smelling cooking going on in the kitchen next to the practice room and it is very distracting :-). read more

Amazing time! I highly recommend staying here! The people are so friendly, the courses there are very educational and you will come back a different person. I think everyone should give this place a chance. It is totally worth the experience. Not to mention, the sunsets are breathtaking. read more