This was a really fun kind of day date activity. The room has about 8-10 couples in it. Men remove their shirts and shoes. Ladies remove shoes and shirts. I wore a bathing suit top in an effort to maintain a little modesty. Erika starts off by demonstrating techniques on a volunteer couple, while the remainder of the students stand around and watch her. Then they go off to practice on their partner. It's a little silly, slightly uncomfortable, but fun and not inappropriate or anything like that. We volunteered to be the demonstration couple; which I highly recommend since you get the "pro" working on you as part of the demo. No offense to my husband, but the time Erika spent on me far surpassed his efforts. Although, he gets an A for trying. We did learn a lot of dos and donts. Unfortunately, we haven't really practiced since. It was a fun experience all in all, something different, pushed us a little out of our comfort zone. We were able to relax and laugh a little. The environment was very peaceful and zen like and Erika was a great teacher. I would definitely recommend it for other couples! read more

My husband and I had a great time at the Back, Scalp and Feet massage class taught by Katrina yesterday! She gave really good instructions and kept the mood light, comfortable and entertaining in what I was first nervous would be a potentially awkward 2 hours in a room full of other half-naked couples. It was something different to do, the time flew by and we came away finally knowing how to do some proper massage techniques! We're seriously considering signing up for the second course. Tip: make sure you read the instructions on the website telling you how to get into the building because if you're late, no dice. The website also tells you what to wear to the class but there are changing rooms available so you don't have to wear bathing suits and pajama bottoms out in public to get there. read more

The back, scalp, and foot massage with Katrina M. was amazing. Initially, I was nervous about receiving and rendering a massage in a group setting for obvious reasons. But, Katrina was knowledgeable and personable creating a relaxed vibe for all the couples in attendance. She really emphasized good body mechanics to minimize over exertion when giving a massage (save those muscles and energy for other activities;) in other words). We learned so much in the 2-hour time period. Our plan is to perfect the techniques learned from the first part of the series then sign up for the second. read more

Went to The Love Institute as an idea for a weekend couple's activity and it was quite a bit of fun & a neat alternative to couching on a Saturday afternoon. The new wife & I attended the Couple's Massage Class 1 (back / scalp / feet) session with about 12 other couples, and we had Erika as an instructor. It was about a 2 hour session, and the course set-up allows for the women & men to be instructed and they then get to "practice" on their partners. The ambiance was very well done - low lights, a group room of massage tables, and aromatherapy in the background. A very professional & informative session was put on by Erika, and she walked around helping out us newbies in the various massage techniques she was teaching that day. Would definitely recommend this for a couple who enjoys massage - the staff was professional, the environment relaxing, and the price point was great! read more

Went for a couples massage class with Erika and had a great time! The class is really well done with Erika demonstrating a technique then each couple getting a chance to practice on their own. I learned a lot in a comfortable environment...which I was a little nervous about given 8 couples in a room rubbing on each other. Can't really say anything bad about it. Class started on time, Erika was professional and friendly, and I left having learned a lot. Would definitely recommend! read more

Looking for a romantic date idea? Look no further! This "hands on" couples massage class gives you and your sweetie a time to connect and a professional will teach you how to apply safe and feel good best massage moves that you can use at home. It was a two hour class - each partner got an hour worth of instruction and rub downs. The environment was clean and safe with professional massage tables. My husband is 6'4 and 275lbs and fit comfortably. Knowledgeable instructor and assistants. Arrive early as it will take some time to get find entrance to the building and through security. read more

Everything we hoped for! Great date, informative class, unlocks the ability to care for someone with massage. I'll be honest, I was a bit concerned when I saw all the detailed FAQs, logistics, and the few negative reviews here. Just follow this one rule: get there early, read the instructions. They tell you which door to go in, and what to bring, and it all works. I can see people being frustrated if they showed up late and couldnt get in, but from being in the class, I'm glad they run it that way, so they dont have to disrupt class to give the starting instructions to latecomers, and interrupt the vibe of the class. From the first minute, the class came together as a group filled with positive energy, love and a desire to learn. Erika was a great instructor, making everyone comfortable, giving good examples and individualized tips. My girlfriend and I both left class with the confidence we knew how to massage each other safely and correctly, and were given tools to keep learning. We had only signed up for one class, and signed up for the second before we left, since we had such a good experience. The class encourages you not only to learn the physical skills of massage, but also how to communicate what you need, and to be sensitive to your partner. We spent the class laughing, learning, and relaxing (one classmate was so relaxed he dozed off!) For everything you learn and get from the class, the price is such a bargain. You can barely find a one person 1 hour massage for 60 bucks, let alone a 2 hour class for two people, that gives both a massage and tools for the future. We are excited to go back, and to keep learning! read more

This was a great experience. We would recommend these classes to any couple. Katrina was fun and helpful with all the techniques. We are a couple married 25 years and we were very comfortable the entire class. Thank you Katrina!! read more

I'm not a frequent Yelp reviewer, so I don't know if this will show up. But I simply had to sing praises of Katrina at the Chicago location. What a gem of an instructor. She was really fun and funny. My partner and I kept giggling while being and giving massages. Her 'in-front' demonstration was very clear and gave us just enough to go on when we got back to our spot. Perhaps the best part was her encouraging, supportive 1-on-1 guidance when she came to our table and saw that there was something to be improved upon. I know I felt like I wanted to do it "right," and Katrina had an elegant way of making me feel like I wasn't a complete failure, but I had the capacity for great success. My partner and I loved the entire thing. It was a great point of bonding for us and we are still using the techniques at home. She will often say to me, "that was the best gift ever...when can we go back." Very soon, my love, very soon. read more

Very informative class with Katrina today. She is very good instructor. We learned a lot and very nice atmosphere. The yoga studio where the class was held was also very nice. One suggestion would be to have a one-page hand-out to remind you of the techniques you learn in the class. read more

Great class, instructor was knowledgeable and kept the class light. I appreciated the time she spent reviewing techniques and providing safety tips. We had a great time! One note, I felt the instructions to locate the class/studio a bit lacking on the Love Institute's website, so thought I'd add my research to save people the stress. The class is held in a yoga studio called Bottom Line Yoga inside the Board of Trade building. These are the instructions from the yoga studio's website: Enter the building from any entrance and head to the 2nd floor visitor desk. Let security know that you heading to Bottom Line Yoga and provide them with a photo ID. Walk to the 3rd bank of elevators and head to the 7th floor. BLY is immediately off the elevators in Suite 750. read more

Erika did an excellent job! She was able to explain things clearly and in a fun manner. The couple messages were so nice and relaxing. Especially educational for someone that is not a profecional. How to be careful and improve our circulation. I will definitely continue to take this educational and relaxing clases. And best of all in comfortably in my own home. That was the best!! Especially for a busy person like myself. read more

This class was a fun date activity but it definitely was a little disappointing. I was hoping for more tips and techniques that could be incorporated casually or more teaching about stress points/ the mechanics behind certain tension areas. Our instructor was bubbly and friendly but between the large class size and time limitations, we only walked away with 1-2 "techniques" that we feel we will ever incorporate again. Also the preparation before the class is limited but it does involve undressing from the waist up which I would have loved to know before walking in. So if you are planning on taking this class, I recommend wearing a bathing suit top or something that is easy to remove and replace under covers. I also think the ambiance would have been more fun if the teacher added tea or water afterwards with some relaxed time for q&a. The whole process felt crunched for time and was a bit jarring after such an intimate class. All in all, a fun date activity but not a program I would repeat or return to. read more

We took a couple's massage class 3 with Katrina. She's AMAZING!!! So knowledgeable, patient, personable and great attitude. This is the perfect date "night" that keeps on giving. We can't wait to get home and test out our new techniques. read more

I am so disappointed. I am sure the instructor is lovely and it is probably is a good class. I won't ever know because I didn't take the class with my partner. Full of all kinds of extra fees. I originally purchased my groupon for two sessions thinking it would be an awesome present for my boyfriend. When I immediately went in to schedule it was difficult to find two sessions that fell within the 120 day expiration. I figured it wouldn't be an issue because I have had several places extend the groupon in cases like this. On top of this it says right on the scheduling page to just contact them if there isn't a time available so they can help out and give a free extension. When I sent the email to make sure what I was doing was within bounds I got an accusatory email telling me that the reason they recommend scheduling quickly is because the classes fill up and that I could have a 30 day extension or pay $50 to schedule after the extension. the extension fell one day short of the day I asked to extend to and I was trying to schedule on the day that I bought the groupon. I immediately went into groupon and asked for a refund because I was within the 3 day limit to get a refund. I should have never looked back. But I waited a couple weeks so that the voucher would cover the second date that I wanted to take the class and I bought another. when I went online to register for the two classes one of them was showing that it had space but wouldn't let me register. So I sent an email and asked if they could help me out getting into the class that was showing an error. I got an email back stating that the class was full. Since those were the only two dates I could attend I cancelled the groupon once more. Now I happened to have the page still open in my browser later that week and saw that they fixed the error... I double checked both dates and they were open. I really thought about it but I knew my boyfriend would love the classes so I pulled the trigger for the third time. I was able to register for both classes!!!! When we went for the first class last weekend we arrived late (I take full responsibility for being late) The location was much more difficult to get to than I thought. Once we parked and walked all the way around the building we were cutting it close and after we got to the security desk and waited for the person in front of us we arrived at the doors of the yoga studio under 10 minutes late. There was a sign that said to knock once and wait so we knocked and waited. Then when there was no response I assumed they couldn't hear and we knocked again and waited. We waited for a bit longer and tried one more time and then started to wonder if that sign was for the yoga studio (which we were told not to contact) and since the yoga studio was closed on the weekend and we have no phone number to call and see what we are supposed to do we decided that we should head out. The next day I received a $65 charge for not showing up. I knew there was a fee for no show but I did show up... I just didn't know what to do. Then the real reason I give them 1 star... I was in email communication again about the charge and etc. Again, I am told that I was supposed to know that the teacher was in a demo but did know we were there. The sign did not say "Love institute". I felt lost and it was completely disappointing that we were missing a fun event like this because we were less than 10 minutes late. And then I get an email back about this from the same lady that takes this accusatory tone every single transaction I have with this business and I'm told... I can retake the missed class if I pay $50. I went ahead and cancelled my other class with them. read more