The Meditation Center

1.6 mi

Amazing people and venue. I have been there three times now and I planning to keep attending their…read moreclasses.

From the owner: We want to share this gift of meditation to you all. Everyone is dealing with stress and problems,…read morebut in order to fix or deal with those situations, we need peace. One way we know can help is through meditation. Join us for a time to relax your body and mind. When you meditate correctly, all the wonderful benefits we hear about will truly happen. Join us in-person or online. All our classes are free thanks to the donations of our members. We don't expect anything but are very grateful for donations to help us keep bringing these sessions for free. (Below this is our Schedule) In Person Classes: Tues - Thurs at 7pm - 8:30pm Sat & Sun at 9am-10:30am Tues - Chanting and Meditation Wed - Serene Meditation Thur - Tai Chi and Meditation Sat & Sun - Meditation and Wisdom Talk Online Classes: 1) Late Night Meditation Mon, Wed, Fri at 9pm-10pm 2) Peace Time Thursdays at 9pm-10pm 3) Inner Peace Time Saturdays at 4pm-5pm Hope you find time to practice and bring peace back into your life. And if you need help, we will be here for you.

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Body & Brain - Norridge

4.4

(7 reviews)

2.0 mi

Excellent chair yoga class! As this is a new exercise venture for me, I was concerned about…read morekeeping up with the pace. No need to worry; Joanne and Randy lead the classes in a way that accommodates a wide range of abilities. I recommend it and will continue exploring other class opportunities.

Yelp has removed this review twice now. I have the receipt from the class I attended. If yelp…read moreremoves this review again, I'll file a lawsuit against the company for removing a legitimate review because the business is pressuring them. They are known fo removing reviews for businesses, in. fact they've already lost lawsuits over the issue. I made an introductory appointment to begin learning Tai Chi, only to then be told in person that they actually do not teach Tai Chi but a Korean martial art similar to tai chi. Then the instructor attempted to sell me on workshops and retreats that I never asked about. I came home and did some research. Body & Brain has been deemed a cult by many that have tried their services. The founder Ilchi Lee's brain education is considered pseudoscience. A simple wiki search will give you all of the details about their past issues. This seemed eerily similar to Scientology with body movement included. This is a scam!

Repeat several times thru the day!

Now is the time!

Stretching

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Luminous Healer Shaman

(15 reviews)

2.8 mi

Hi, I am Lupe, I did a 3-month shamanic transformational deep dive with Juan…read more The most amazing part about the sessions was having a safe space to talk and get practical tools to deal with everyday life and my challenges at the time. I was feeling burnt out and needed to find more balance in my life. I've had lasting effects from the sessions, and the most powerful one is that since working together, I've been able to deal with life's challenges in more effective and healthier ways. If you're feeling stuck or stagnant in life and want to feel more peace in your life, I would highly recommend Juan. He was professional and very knowledgeable.

I did a 3 month shamanic transformational deep dive with Juan…read more I stumbled across Juan's business on Yelp several years ago. I was searching for answers to who I was, what I am here for, and really struggling on many fronts. I remember looking at his services and being called to them, but for some reason I hesitated. I urge you to not hesitate. My only regret in working with Juan, is not committing sooner. I've had lasting effects from our sessions, and the most powerful one is a new sense of hope and the knowing that I control my life.... Not society, not my family, not my past. The things I don't like in my life, I have the power to change.... I can live the life people want me to live or I can be true to myself regardless of what others believe. Juan helped me to wake up to the possibilities and beauty in life instead of continuing to live on auto-pilot (as I was and as most do). Juan has a way of shifting your mindset and understanding what is important in life. We all have so much societal conditioning and Juan helps you to see past this. If you're feeling/experiencing: unmotivated in your career, fear of change, suppressed trauma, limiting beliefs about what you are capable of being and want to feel empowered and FREE, I would highly recommend Juan because he was brought to this beautiful earth to help you see all you can be and start living the life you know your meant to live.

Wide angle view when you wak in

View from inside the healing room

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Sylwia Giza

3.4 mi

Sylwia is an amazing teacher and healer. She is a true lightworker who is trying to change and…read moreuplift the vibration of the world by helping one person at a time. She helped me to become more in peace, and more loving towards myself and my surroundings. Yes, LOVE is the only answer! If you open this door, your journey will never be the same! Love & light to all!

From the owner: Healing energy session, consultationread more

Http://www.sylwiagiza.com/about-sylwia.html Image: Alex Grey

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Http://www.sylwiagiza.com/about-sylwia.html

360 Core Studio

(11 reviews)

2.8 mi

Such a great place for workout. Great instructors. Good classes and convinion time…read moreCome and join us.

Vanessa is simply the best and there is no nicer and dedicated person you can meet. Knowledgeable…read moreand friendly, everyone leaves feeling fulfilled and happy to have been at the studio. Highly recommend!

Re-opening after Covid-19

Standing Splits on Pilates Reformer

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We offer Pilates Reformer & Mat, TRX/Spin, Ballet barre, & yogilates

Inner Gaze Yoga

(7 reviews)

6.7 mi

Kim Wade is insightful, compassionate, gifted and overall a wonderful human being. I have used her…read moreprivate coaching lessons, yoga classes, reiki and I am a member of her Inner Circle Women's group. She is a great teacher in all aspects of life. If I could, I would give her 10 stars instead of 5.

Kim is an outstanding teacher. I loved her classes in person - pre-COVID obviously - but her…read morerecorded/live classes are just as good. She has the great ability to speak to YOU across the electronic boundaries that we are dealing with during this time. Her classes meet you where you are, push you to your limits just enough, and are accessible for all. Highly recommended!!!

I talk about the trauma/recovery mindset, self-care and healing the pain of the past using yoga for our Inner Work for over a decade.

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Speaking Engagement for a Women's Philanthropic Group of over 200 women. We talked about how to make Self -Care a daily habit.

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

4.5

(162 reviews)

19.6 mi

Well maintained. Not too crowded…read more Challenging enough on a bike for me. Beautiful and well maintained trails that are well marked. Love it. If you're out of shape this place can whip you back into shape if you let it.

Waterfall Glen is a beautiful display of nature. Trails offer a robust adventure. Two parking lots,…read moreone off of Cass Avenue and the other off of Lemont Road.

Brown-eyed Susan

Creeping bellflower

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East Bank Club

4.0

(354 reviews)

9.3 mi

Gorgeous health club!! My friend belongs here and I joined her for dinner at the restaurant/grill…read more The food was tasty and excellent service. I was given a 90 minute pass for dinner and they seem strict on the time. My friend also gave me a tour. It's an impressive space!! About 450,000 square feet, spanning across 2 full city blocks and 5 levels. They have everything you can think of: pools (4 pools!), saunas, restaurants, tennis, golf, basketball, boxing, group glasses, weights, machines, pickleball, spa, hair and nail salon, indoor running track, co-working space, and so much more. Beautiful artwork, pristine locker rooms and restrooms. Wow! High ceilings and so much space overall. Nothing felt crowded. Beautiful design and layout. I was in awe and very impressed.

(Kari's Rating 7.5/10)…read more TLDR -Up-to-Date equipment -Work from home spaces -Convenient Healthy Market Came with a friend to hang out on a Wednesday around 5:30pm to see what East Bank Club is all about. After seeing all the crazy amenities which were super cool with a ton of variety, I think the thing that surprised me the most is how up-to-date all of the equipment was and the variety of activities they had for people to enjoy. If you're looking for an all encompassing workout/work space, this is it! They have everything from full-size tennis courts, to a golf simulator-like set up,except you get to hit into an inflatable pillow! They also had plenty of Pickleball courts, and they offer so many different workout group classes.both a wet and dry, sauna, and tons of treadmills and free weights. I was also really impressed that they also had a physical training area. So think something that was my personal favorite and the best thing for Chicago Summers is a beautiful rooftop pool and lounge area. Not only did they have two outdoor pools (one for adults and one for kids) but they also have an indoor pool as well for winter as well as an indoor hot tub! They also had a common area workspace where people can come to take meetings and do their work from home gigs. You could practically move in here haha! As of right now, it is a $750 new membership fee as well as $295 a month, which is a pretty hefty chunk of change if you ask me considering most of the high rises around, have some kind of rooftop pool and workout area. It is cheaper if you join with a domestic partner or if you're between the ages of 16 and 29-see pic for current pricing. They also sometimes host social events which is super fun to meet everyone else in the club, but at the same time I think it is more of an investment in your future and your future health if you can afford it! I will not be joining at the moment, but hey-that could change anytime if I decide I should be on a health kick.

The Sundeck in season on the East Bank rooftop

Showtime Cycle Studio

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The North Outdoor Pool

Meadowlark Golf Course

3.8

(24 reviews)

11.5 mi

Course was in good shape and staff are friendly. It's unremarkable to play but generally wide open…read moreand easy to walk. Pace was slow. Plenty of carts available. There's a grill setup on hole 4 with all the usuals you'd expect and the porta-potty is accessible from a couple different holes. The clubhouse bathrooms are gross. Price is good.

9-hole course. The staff is very accommodating and nice. No external alcohol allowed, but they do…read moresell snacks and drinks on site. Golf carts available for reservation. The brush around the course is pretty thick because it's located in a forest preserve, making your chances of losing balls higher.

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UIC Student Recreation Facility

4.0

(28 reviews)

9.7 mi

Great facility open year around BUT CLOSED FOR SCHOOL…read moreHOLIDAYS! Spa and sauna are super nice. The rec app says there is a Pilates reformer but no classes to sign up. Testing to find out if true.

**UIC Swim Classes: A Budget-Friendly Option for Kids**…read more We enrolled in UIC Swim Classes for our 1.5-year-old and found it to be a solid, budget-friendly option. At $22 per session, the classes offer structured swim lessons at a more affordable rate compared to other local options. There is a chill vibe that works great for a 1st learner, but the level of rigor is lower than Goldfish so we switched there once we got off their wait list. Classes are sold in 5 week packages, and reschedules are not typically allowed. The class structure follows a set sequence of exercises. Instructors are friendly, but engagement is inconsistent. While they guide kids through various activities, the level of encouragement and feedback varies, with some instructors mentally checking out after providing initial directions. The UIC facility itself is quite nice - The water is comfortably warm and there are changing areas. Parking is available but paid for a few dollars. Note that your access is restricted to within 15 minutes of class time, so don't go too early. Though there are fewer opportunities for underwater practice and confidence-building dips, the parent/tot classes are primary about getting your kid comfortable in water. Overall, UIC Swim Classes deliver decent value for the price, though parents seeking a more intensive training that will get kids swimming faster may want to explore Goldfish.

The front desk area with a climbing wall. Pretty solid and clean!

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Pool

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Beth S.

9 years ago

Come try meditation here because it is soOOOoo GREAT! There are currently three classes available weekly held on Wednesday nights, and Saturday and Sunday mornings. The group meditation is open to both beginners and those who have tried meditation before. The center provides meditation cushions and chairs, so you don't have to bring anything. The center is non-profit so there is no cost but they appreciate donations (who doesn't appreciate donations). Each session begins with light stretching exercises, nothing that will make you hot and sweaty, but just something to get you ready for the 50 minute session. A brief introduction on their techniques and helpful tips are given by the coordinator. A variety of methods are given including mantras and visualization, but basically they say do what is comfortable for you ("sit down and do nothing"). The meditation itself is very peaceful. The room is clean and furnishing is simple, and there is absolute silence throughout the session, so distractions are kept at an absolute minimum (you should also make sure your phone is turned off so you don't ruin the mood). The fact that its a group gives the session a bit of stronger vibe than if you were to do it on your own (if that makes sense). Normally, a tape of a guide is played that walks you through how to relax yourself. After a bit, the room is just silent and you meditate as you wish. When you open you eyes, you'll find a monk in front of you (I guess he come in when the lights are off). He'll ask you how your experience was and answer your questions and give you advice if you want. Then, everyone participates in a group Dharma talk so you are able to go home with something to think about. If you are lucky and come on or around a holiday, they will have themed classes where they work the holiday into the Dharma talk and if you are lucky lucky they have snacks and refreshments (on normal days they have just cough drops and free waters, and I know this because I'm there every week). The only thing I can maybe say as a downside is that the location is close to O'Hare and you can once in a while hear the planes. But what can the center do, stop the planes? Thankfully, they give advice on how to power through the noise if air traffic is particularly bad that day. Overall, I like this place. The staff and monks are really friendly and want to help everyone meditate. Sometimes they have retreats which are great too, be on the look out for those. read more

Mark W.

9 years ago

224 W Gunnison St. Chicago, IL 60630 5849 N Nina Ave. Chicago, IL Call ( 773 ) 680-0313 Our experience at the above Temple has been Awesome. The Monk's and Staff are truly gracious & kind, loving people. I came to this Temple to learn about meditation and also learn how to mediate. Why Meditate???? No happiness Surpasses peace of mind. Buddhist Proverb I liked that they started right before meditation with stretching exercise, such as Qi gong. Then being taught to relax the body and how to focus on the center and learn the Dhamma practice, Techniques used at this temple is following the teaching of Luangpor Dhammajayo. Meditation is the pathway to Nibbana which is why it is of utmost importance to practice. The Monks and Staff are gracious and most kind welcoming people. I also love the Monks and Staff answering questions giving time for Q & A Sept. 9th ( Saturday ) will be a one day retreat at the Temple on Nina Ave. I have attended a few of the retreats there and found them to be amazing. Meditation classes are free a donation is welcome !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Classes are held At the Temple on Gunnison St. each Wednesday evening, also on each Saturday morning. Then at the Temple on Nina Ave. Classes are held each Sunday morning. All interested are most welcome by staff to assist in learning meditation. Meditation has helped me transform my life from a nervous person to a calm person and more. Mark & Evelyn read more

Paul S.

9 years ago

I come here every week and appreciate what they are doing. The environment is welcoming and all of the staff are kind and helpful people. The meditation is good to reduce stress. read more

Sandi G.

5 years ago

Is this place open during Covid? I'm a beginner in meditation, so I want to go to the best place! Thanks! read more

The Meditation Center - meditationcenters - Updated July 2026

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