I've been practicing yoga with Kareena for 12 years. My ((then) 7-year-old daughter and I were among the first students at Sweet Magic. During these past 12 years I met other yoga teachers, learned about different yoga styles, and came to the realization that Kareena has it all. In her classes we have discovered a new life style that has made us vital, happy, and healthy. We are able to do so through stretching, exercising pranayama ( conscious breathing), and mudras ( hand positions). Her teaching flexibility is amazing; she literally customizes her instruction for every single student. My daughter, who is a college student now, keeps following the yoga routine she has learned from Kareena. All these years I only need to see my doctor once a year for a check up because regular practice with Kareena seems to work as the best medical insurance ever. read more

She taught me how to connect with my body and the earth and how to to move in rhythm with the music. That is hard for me. I have been at Kareena's studio for a long time, and I have learned to enjoy the dance and being present in the moment. read more

I have been visiting Kareena's Studio for about 4 1/2 years now and I love it and love her! The space is a quiet interlude to focus on the fundamentals, learn about your body and how best to stay loose and limber. She has decades of experience....... and a soft touch. She helps me and other students work at their level giving individualized encouragement and specific and precise instruction. Kareena is a goldmine of information and provided advice on my posture in the office and yoga exercises at home. I have visited a fair amount of yoga practices on the Northside and Rogers Park, she is the best. Jamie P read more

I have been taking Kareena's yoga classes for over 5 years and just love them! Sweet Magic Studio was the first yoga class I tried when I started looking for classes, and I never went anywhere else after my first class there. Kareena provides instruction for each student during every class, and makes sure you're comfortable as well as properly aligned for every movement and/or pose. Her classes are tailored to the abilities of her students. Additionally, Kareena herself is very welcoming, as are all of the other students I've met during the many classes I've taken with her. read more

Kareena's classes are expertly taught. It is clear that she has devoted much time and thought to what belly dance contributes to the health and well-being of the body and mind. I have had other belly dance teachers before who have disappointed me in this respect. They have not had quite the same knowledge of and respect for the art form. I learn something about the body every time I attend one of Kareena's classes, and I have always felt myself in very capable hands. For those who are not sure that belly dance is right for them, I would say--it is for you if you learn from Kareena. It can teach you so much about how you move in and inhabit your body without it being necessary for you to strain or exhaust yourself in the process. Kareena's approach, which combines belly dance with a few tools drawn from yoga, make the whole experience as good for the mind as the body. Kareena's classes are very comfortable for women (and men) of all shapes and sizes. Some body types lend themselves more to belly dance, to be sure, but there is nobody who doesn't have a body that can gain a lot from these exercises, which train you to isolate and strengthen very particular muscles of which you would otherwise be unaware. And Kareena is particularly good at explaining why you should find these muscles, and what difference it makes to engage them rather than let them atrophy. read more

Kareena is Amazing! I've been to several yoga studios around the city and this is the best I've found. She offers a personal, professional and challenging workout for everyone. Moving form one pose to another is rhythmic and almost seems like it's choreographed to the wishes of the body. Nothing is ever rushed, everything seems natural even when it's hard. Emphasis is placed on correct posture and positioning, and every class is an education in diet, body, and in balancing life forces. Classes last longer than an hour (usually 1.5 without the nap at the end) and end with a feeling of balance, energy, and overall well being. Absolutely worth the trip to Rogers Park if you don't already live there. After class grab a coffee at Ennui and spend some time at the beach that's less than a block away. read more

I love the belly dance classes. I started dieting and taking belly dancing about five weeks ago and have lost more than 11 lbs and am back down to a size 6 (no small feat at 51). I've always wanted to study belly dance and now wish I'd started years ago because I am working muscles I never even knew existed and actually enjoying it. I am not at all athletic and have never been able to stick with a gym, yoga classes or any other kind of regular exercise program. Even though the belly dance classes don't feel like exercise, I get a great workout -- and it's fun! Kareena is an excellent teacher and adept at incorporating the positives from other cultures into her classes and studio atmosphere (breezy with dim lighting -- very relaxing). read more

Kareena's classes are great. I've been practicing yoga for 4 years, and when I moved to Roger's Park I was really delighted to find this great studio across the street from my apartment. Kareena is one of the best teachers I've ever had. Her classes are relaxing and challenging, with a lot of focus on deep, gentle movements. The multi-level format of her classes is really nice - feel like I can go to either a level 1 or 2 class, and still get just as much out the experience. She gives a lot of personal attention and great adjustments. The fact that it's a small studio space lends to the personalized experience, as it's never crowded and all of the students are really friendly. Plus, Kareena's smile is just downright warming. I no longer live in RP, but it's worth it for me to make the trip all the way up from Lakeview to get to this studio. I'd recommend this place for beginners who are just starting to feel out their yogic lifestyles ranging to yoginis who are looking to bring a deeper focus to their practice. read more

Studio is dark (lights are not turned on), cold (heat is only felt when you're in the front part of the studio) and dirty (floors)! If you're looking for activities that you can mimic after the instructor, then this studio is for you! However, if you're looking to learn about proper techniques of breathing while doing yoga, aligning your posture for various exercises, or engaging the proper muscle groups for belly dancing, then this studio is not the best for you. Instructor is very friendly, but she does not explain how to do the aspects that she thinks should be done (she names muscle groups, but doesn't teach you how to go about engaging them and what your body should be doing to achieve that). Also, the instructor sometimes laughs at people who are unable to do certain poses or movements. That's just unprofessional! read more

Kareena is a knowledgeable teacher with a patient and supportive attitude. Her studio is conveniently located on Sheridan in the heart of Rogers Park great for students and older folks who live in the neighborhood. Unlike some studios, Kareena's clientele is a lively mix of people with different cultures and beliefs. I love coming to each session. You can also take bellydance and tai chi at the same studio. the best! read more

Karina is a Miagi. You get out of it what you put into it. She's highly intuitive about her students emotionally and physically, and her eccentricities bring local color to my neighborhood experience, and let's face it: Rogers Park has personality but needs constant upkeep. I go for yoga and belly dance and the weekly trips are a much-needed escape from the stereotypes I find my world constantly shoving me into. I'm not the only guy in the belly dance class. I'm at an age where I'm so over the fabulosity of the gay club experience, and at Sweet Magic I can express aspects of myself that may or may not make me look as sexy as dancing makes me feel. And this experience is for that belly dancer in me who may have danced for his life 400 years ago in some exotic corner of Asia Minor. read more

Sorry, but if you are new to yoga, then this place is not a great place to start. The classes don't build on fundamentals and instruction from Kareena is very limited. In addition to this, the studio has a very garish aesthetic without any sense of aesthetic or peacefulness to the surroundings. Instead, I went with a Tai Chi & Korean Yoga studio and never looked back. read more

Kareen is amazing. She is very talented. She breaks down all the belly dancing moves for you down to the muscle contraction. She doesn't choreograph a dance for you to learn at the end of the class which is what I like. She teaches you the movements so that you can do your own style. Low key studio i even had the teacher all to myself a class.! I'll be back. read more