Tejas great!!! The instructors are excellent. I really appreciate when studio have flexible schedules. I would recommend this place to anyone. read more

On a recent trip to Chicago, I decided to check out a couple of yoga studios. I stumbled upon Tejas since it was near my hotel and am so glad! It is a fabulous studio that you will not find every day. I was lucky enough to have two different teachers, both were well versed and offered great instruction for each asana. Tejas focuses not only on form, but on the breath work behind yoga. I found the approach refreshing and insightful. I'm already planning my next quick trip to Chi so I can revisit the studio. ~ Namaste read more

First of all, I am very very new to Yoga. HOWEVER, I am not new to customer service and relating to people. That being said, my experience at Tejas was very very disheartening. I arrived to my scheduled class (Gentle on June 18th ) approx 20 mins early. While parking across the street at the pay lot adjacent to 11th Street Diner, I called to ask about possible parking behind the Tejas location. When the person on the phone answered he was at first very chipper and happy but upon hearing my voice and finally registering my simple question he informed me in a very "disappointed" tone that - "no Tejas did not have parking behind their building." When I say his tone sounded "disappointed" - allow me to put this into context. My name when registering and my address when registering all sounds very Anglo-Saxon. However, when the person at the desk heard my voice and picked up bits and pieces of my "non-Anglo Saxon sound" , there was a clear sound of "suprise" that he quickly tried to recover and replaced with a tone of aloofness. I exited my car, crossed the street and entered into Tejas. The look of "annoyance" and purposeful attempts to avoid eye contact with me was evident in this person's feeble greeting. I proceeded to present my cheeriest self, still looking forward to learning about Yoga, and anticipating a gentle healing experience. So much so, that I had signed up for this "Gentle" class expecting a warm inviting environment. The entry foyer into Tejas is absolutely gorgeous, beautiful dark wood floors, a partitioned changing area, graceful low benches are provided to sit and talk. This is where I sat after changing into my new Yoga wear. I sat and sat and tried to "warm" up the young man who by now was fidgeting and purposely not talking with me at all. He during the time I sat in the small foyer, never tried to gather any type of information from me. Never asked me any questions about what I was looking forward to achieving, how did I find out about Tejas, am I new to the area, or any other type of "small talk" to engage me in what Tejas had to offer. After asking a few questions ..and receiving very stilted, halting, cold responses I thought it best to just sit back and wait for class to start. At that point a few more class participants arrived. The young man at the desk IMMEDIATELY exploded with happy energy, he GREETED these women ( all white ) with such enthusiasm that I thought he must either live with them, or these women must pay his mortgage or something. His change in enthusiasm in greeting these women was astonishing. So, after sitting there and watching this exchange I decided that I had had enough and I proceeded into the class room area. I took my Yoga mat and made my way to a empty floor space, spread out the mat and made my way down to the floor. I have Rhuematoid Arthritis in my hip and it was a little difficult. I spoke with two very nice women in the room and they informed me that the instructor "Jim" was very good and that they enjoyed the Gentle class. I thanked them for that info and told them that I was very new to Yoga, had never taken a class before and was looking forward to this experience. I mentioned that I study all day, and that sitting for the extended periods of time that I do I needed this relaxing experience. I then excused myself and went back to the busy foyer area to retrieve an item from my hand bag. At that point I exited the class and stepped out into the foyer, I made immediate eye contact with another young man, and I assumed this was the instructor. His expression when he immediately saw me was disheartening. He "bucked" his eyes and raised his eyebrows as though he saw a Mountain Gorilla walk out of the class area and into the foyer. His body language bespoke suprise, disdain, and disapproval. I know that this review may sound extreme, but in a quiet peaceful yoga setting one is supposed to get in touch with their internal spiritual connection, their "senses" so to speak. And this is EXACTLY what my "senses" were telling me. After a bit of uncomfortable silence, I said "Hello" to the young man, and sat to retrieve the item from my hand bag. The young man who forced himself to greet me when I arrived informed me that this was the instructor for the class "Jim". Jim then spoke with me briefly, and had me to complete a registration form. I informed Jim of some other injuries that might impact how I functioned in the class. I specifically pointed to one particular concern and asked him would I be able to complete the class. Jim responded that this was the "gentle class so I am sure there shouldnt be a problem, but you can let me know when you are having difficulties". I felt reassured at that point that I could indeed have a relaxing gentle experience inside the class. I thanked him for that, and proceeded back into the class. The Gentle class was nice. But I dont think they want dark skinned black women who weigh more than 135 lbs. read more

soulful yoga in the south loop! what a blessing! i had regularly practiced with both jim and james, the studio co-owners, at other studios in town and had tremendous respect for both of them. so, as a pilsen gal, imagine my joy when they opened a cozy little studio in the south loop. here at tejas, one gets the chance to work in an intimate space with serious, caring instructors. after 7 years of practice at various studios, i never considered myself part of the yoga community. the larger studios always felt like too much of a 'yoga scene' for me to feel truly at home. tejas' small size combined with the gentle commitment of james, jim and the other instructors to providing a balanced yoga practice offers the yoga community a more intimate and connected space. in addition to jim and james, i would enthusiastically recommend kerri and erin, as they are both highly intentional and caring teachers. class level is taken very seriously at tejas. if you attend a moderate, you know you'll get a moderate. it can be very frustrating to feel like an instructor has upgraded the difficulty level, but instructors here are very intentional about striking a good balance between accessibility and challenge. that said, i've had many an instructor here provide options for advancing your practice, both physical and spiritual. instructors at tejas take the spiritual element of one's yoga practice very seriously, but they somehow never get dogmatic--meditation always feels like an individual exploration rather than a mandated exercise. and after practice, the serene smiles trade around the room easily. from yoga beginners to seasoned yogis and yoginis, get thee to tejas. you'll be glad you did. read more

This place was just so-so for me. Here's why: Space: The studio is super tiny. Although some might find that "cozy" I found it really uncomfortable/distracting having my yogi neighbor all up in my business for the entire class. Also, you can hear everything including people walking around above you and people coming in and out of the studio. A nice touch that tea is available for you in the front waiting area, but again it's so tiny there really is no space for you to sit/stand and enjoy it. This was especially frustrating in winter as everyone is trying to de-layer themselves and find space to put boots, scarfs, hats, winter jackets, etc. Instructors/Classes: I enjoyed that the classes were 1.5 hours -- gives you a little more time to get into your zone. The classes with Jim & James were just OK -- nothing spectacular. I went to an open class with Jim and remember that we were asked to do a pose I just didn't feel comfortable doing that day for whatever reason. I asked Jim how I could modify this, and I got the vibe that he was annoyed by my asking, like why wouldn't I at least try it. Yea, I get that he is all super bendy and awesome at the crazy hard poses, but it has been my experience in other classes that the instructors show you modifications in the event you can't do the full on pose. This really turned me off. I did start taking the Friday evening classes with Marceyln and enjoyed those. She has a super bubbly personality and the gentle class was exactly as it should be: gentle/relaxing. She was very attentive with where students were at, and I appreciated that. Overall: This place gets a ton of good reviews ,and I'm not quite sure why. I've been to a few other yoga studios that were about the same, and one studio way up on the north side that was amazing! The vibe at Tejas was just kinda snooty to me. I once had an email exchange with one of the owners over confusion about how many classes I had left. It ended up getting cleared up, but the exchange went on about one email too long and left me kinda annoyed/frustrated. I suppose if you live on the south side perhaps there aren't as many options as far as yoga studios go??? Meh... read more

Perfect for all levels. The guys that run the place are so fantastically sweet, skilled and intuitive. It's what you want a yoga experience to be. read more

Jim and James - the reasons to go and why you will return. Thoughtful, intelligent, observant yogis with a breath of humor to boot.

The quality of the instruction here is top of the line. The instructors are well-trained and highly qualified. The classes are incredibly well sequenced and pranayama is central. Couldn't be better. read more

James is truly the best yoga teacher I've ever had the privilege of working with (from NYC to Cali, TO to VanCity). His energy and passion for yoga and life are contagious. Call me crazy but I could consider moving to Chicago just to spend more time at his studio. read more

My FAVORITE yoga studio in the city! It has such a peaceful ambiance and the instructors are so patient and helpful. I want to (and probably will) move to the south loop just to be near this place. :) read more

I've been practicing yoga for ~3 years, and recently moved to the South Loop area. This studio has a fantastic variety of styles and classes, the schedule is great, and the teachers are knowledgeable and approachable. It's a beautiful, welcoming space. read more

Hidden yoga gem! Caters for all abilities of yogis, warm friendly and big on breath work and meditation. Just try it!

This is a wonderful studio. great for practitioners who want to deepen their practice through breath, meditation, and ayurvedic teachings. The studio hosts workshops led by Chicago's foremost instructors of yoga (both in asana and in theoretic studies). a cozy studio, with great teachers, and respectful students. read more

I went to my first yoga class with Zach and really enjoyed it. The five class "Intro To Yoga" is a good deal for $50 including free yoga mat rental. It was hard work and rewarding. Zach is very nice and a patient instructor. I can tell that yoga will be beneficial to strengthen my core section and spine. And tone my arms/legs as holding poses using natural muscle resistance is a tough workout. I sweated much more than expected. I have a good sense of balance from dancing ballet as a child and certain yoga poses reminded me of ballet balance practice. At the end of class, the focus was on resting using long stretches, meditation and breath work. I felt relaxed and content walking out the door. My work stress had melted away. I can't wait for next week's class. read more

Really great customer service -- I had been unable to use my 2 weeks unlimited due to coming down with the flu but they allowed me to extended my 2 weeks unlimited. The one class I've been to was really great so I look forward to getting to more classes soon! read more

Tejas Yoga is a breath of fresh air (ha ha!) in the South Loop. All of the instructors are EXTREMELY knowledgeable, easy to talk to and clear in their instruction. The more modern design of the studio is inviting as is the small and always toasty practice space. Grab your mat ... and go! read more

Tejas is a comfortable, peaceful studio, great for beginners to advanced yogis. The atmosphere is very comfortable & inviting & the instructors are both knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely a gem for yoga in the south loop. read more

In town for 2 months with work and I really loved this studio. A range of different classes, including pranayama and yoga nidra which really helped me tune into the meditative aspect of my practice. The teachers were great at setting a tone that encouraged challenging yourself but also accepting what you could bring to the mat that day. The classes I took were all different, I never had the same class twice. For example, Zach led an excellent class that for a while seemed odd and disjointed but I went with it, then when he announced we were doing handstands it all made sense how the earlier work was setting us up (he also did a great job of helping each person figure out how they could get into whatever level of handstand was safe for them... no pressure, all about taking the first steps.) Every single teacher I had there made a connection with each student, gave attention, made adjustments, were clearly well trained in proper form/physiology but never forgot the spiritual aspect... I feel like my practice really grew here. I only wish I was in Chicago longer so I could make this my permanent yoga home. read more

Jim Bennitt is the best instructor in the city. What more do you want??

Jim Bennitt is a fantastic yoga instructor and I highly recommend his classes. He always includes a blend of moves perfect for beginners and advanced. As a grappler himself he understands how to help athletes stretch and strengthen their bodies as well as recover through injuries. I have been several times with minor joint pain or stiffness and am always leaving more flexible , balanced and much less stiff or sore. I highly recommend for not just bjj wrestling or other athletes but anyone interested in trying yoga or looking to take their yoga to the next level. Jim has an astounding amount of knowledge and genuinely cares to help his students wherever they are at. Try a class you wont be disappointed! read more

The best of the best. Always a warm welcome. The instructors are all very professionals, and kind. Wherever you are looking for your body, mind and spirit, you will finding at Tejas, from classes, to healthy products, ideas, and friends. The place is always sparkling clean. Very easy to find them as far location, and very easy to make an appointment as well. I highly recommend. read more

This is a great yoga center. At first I didn't understand the name. For us Spanish speakers Tejas is well, Texas. But what they mean is tejase. Anyway, the two teachers Whose classes I attended were very clear in their instructions. They were also very helpful to everyone in the classes. read more

I love this place, Jim and James have done a fantastic job creating a comfortable and relaxing practice in the frantic South Loop. I started going here about a month ago on the suggestion of my friend Ashley who works for Jim as something of a PA, and i have enjoyed every session! I highly recommend this studio if you've got an ok idea of what you want from your practice, as the teachers are very receptive and great at communicating with people coming in before class. I haven't taken any beginner classes here, but I can only assume these amazing teachers easily get people going and as excited to return for their next class as I am after every visit. read more

It's rare for me to find a yoga studio I like. I went to Jim Bennitt's vigorous class one Saturday morning since I bought a LivingSocial deal. Also earlier in the week my yoga teacher from North Shore Yoga was telling our class about Tejas so I thought I'd try out Tejas. Jim's class was definitely vigorous...equivalent to a vinyasa level II/III at other studios. It was nice that the class was at 10am. Gave me some time to sleep in a bit :) read more

I couldn't be happier to have Tejas in my neighborhood. I mostly take the Gentle class as a way to wind down at the end the week, and I recommend it highly. I've been in classes taught by both Jim and James, and both are as nice as can be. They're welcoming to everyone who comes to their studio, regardless of ability, size, experience, flexibility, etc. Both are great teachers with loads of knowledge about yoga, as well as related subjects such as meditation, ayurveda, nutrition, and holistic health. It's simply a great feeling to be in the space they've created. read more

Tejas is a sanctuary in the middle of urban life. I've been practicing yoga for 20 years and I have experienced many yoga studios. I love the peace that I find here. I go to Jim's "Vigorous" class and it is the perfect blend of challenge and calm. I always feel safe and never leave feeling beat up. The teachers here are great, experienced, and don't have a lot of ego. I love the respect that is paid to Savasana (resting at the end of class), meditation and breath work. Too many studios only focus on the gymnastics of the practice. This is the real deal. read more

For some reason, my first review of Tejas was filtered...because I like this place so much, this is the only review I've ever written (and rewritten): Tejas is a wonderful space - it's a much needed and welcome addition to the S. Loop neighborhood. Love it! read more

You cannot ask for a better yoga studio, and we are so fortunate Tejas is in the South Loop. Jim and James are the two most caring and thoughtful instructors who really take the time to improve your practice. Plus it goes beyond just taking classes, with all the educational workshops. If you are looking for a yoga community, this is it! read more

Went to my first class there with James today. It was really good. The place is beautiful

I got lost trying to find this place twice, first I didn't realized it had moved, then I didn't realize the new location is on top of a bank. Once I finally found it....this place is great, I love it here, it has been such a nice experience. Since I was recovering from back surgery, I was looking for something more relaxing and injury-conscious type of yoga. Everyone from the front desk to the instructors is very welcoming. I have only taken classes from Adam and from James, both excellent instructors. The rooms are not heated like corepower or bikram, but they do make it a comfortable temperature of about 70-75 degrees. The bathrooms are located in the same floor yet not inside of the studio but that didn't bother me, it's not that inconvenient, there are only 2 businesses on that floor. Price wise, it's not cheap, but very competitive prices to other similar studios (the ones you don't feel more like a gym). read more

Just... AMAZING! Am on my second round of Intro classes here. The first 10-20 times I tried yoga I hated it, bc the environment was exclusive and weird. THIS PLACE IS PHENOMENAL! There is an inclusive energy and the teachers are just the best. If you want to try yoga, but have been turned off to it bc of funky yoga elitism, PLEASE try this place! Both James and Zach are incredible teachers. read more

1st time to Tejas today it had been some time since I had been to a more traditional yoga studio. There were so many very outstanding things about this studio that actually STOOD OUT. The environment was kind and welcoming, the receptionist was beyond kind and helpful. Even sent us a personal email after class. The instructor, James, knew we were new and specifically asked us our names during class and talked to us after class. We will be back! If you are a SERIOUS yoga student this IS the place to be. But I sincerely hope people who do not have the positive and friendly energy this studio has stay where they are;-) read more

Regardless of how serious you are about yoga, this is the place for you. After taking several years off from practicing, and only taking the occasional class through my gym before that, I was intimidated to join a real yoga studio. A friend of mine convinced me to give Tejas a shot, so I purchased the beginner package and signed-up. Zach Zube was my intro instructor, and I couldn't have asked for a better or more welcoming experience. The staff are wonderful, and the classes are challenging but tailored to make everyone feel welcome. I'd also point out that there are no mirrors or music which I thought was odd at first, but have grown to appreciate. Can't say how much of a fan I am of Tejas. Would recommend anyone try it out. read more

A great addition to the neighborhood! I've heard good things about this place- James was a great instructor. I tried the "gentle" class on Sunday afternoon since I wanted to squeeze in a weekend workout. I am an avid workout person but I was looking to yoga for more relaxation. This particular class seemed to focus more on stretching/chanting than the yoga I was used to but overall it was a nice experience. read more

Took the 7:30 class which was more of a beginner class. Only one other person was there due to the weather and it was pretty refreshing. The instructor also worked with us one on one on certain poses. Definitely will return. read more

I took my first yoga class ever at Tejas Yoga and was pleasantly surprised. The instructors were very non-threatening and I did not feel intimidated by the class at all. Great experience for a newby to Yoga. I would recommend this place to anyone. read more

I came for a drop-in class, and it was excellent. Jim is a very good teacher, with a nice balance of standing and sitting poses, and including pranayama and mediation in an integrated way. read more

It's an amazing place where one can learn how to do yoga under a watchful eye of a helpful teacher. Teachers are very attentive and helpful. It has been a great experience. The prices are reasonable. read more

Tejas is a friendly, welcoming community that offers genuine yoga instruction--none of the poorly-regulated, wishy-washy nonsense that gets sold in gyms across America. Jim and James know what they're doing, and they train their new instructors really hard. All of the teachers try to get to know everyone by name. Classes are also very affordable, especially for university students. You can either drop in or purchase a 10-pack or 20-pack. The only improvements I wish I could see are: (1) More of a balance in the instructors' genders because the ratio is skewed toward men right now, and (2) more class offerings. It's not uncommon to see only three or four classes available on a given day. Tip: If you hate a packed studio, then avoid the crowds by attending the early bird classes at 7AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the donation class on Friday afternoons at 4. It's usually very empty then, and you get a lot of personal attention. read more

The customer service is great. I'm not an experienced yogie but love coming in and learning new core exercises.