Great studio and yoga in charming downtown Lake Forest! I would highly recommend this studio…read morehaving done yoga for over 20 years all over the country.

The BEST YOGA , instructors and community for 15 years! Come join this amazing community, no…read morematter what time of day, every class is special Namaste

The studio is bright and clean with lots of parking available. Each station has a reformer, chair…read moreand trx as well as other accessories. There are classes throughout the day from 6am - 7pm. I like to try classes with different instructors. Each has their own followers and a different vibe. I started with just one class a week and now I find myself in four or five classes a week. The saying "You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions and have a completely new body in 30 sessions" is completely true. Random people and even loved ones have noticed the changes. While not easy, a Pilates practice is achievable by everyone -- I have seen all ages and all sizes -- and the resulting transformation-- to mind, body and even spirit -- is something I have strived to achieve for decades I am taking off one-quarter star because the reformers are a bit closer together than the other studio I also frequent.

This place is a laugh…read more They advertise (on social media) that you can get a free "complimentary. class", which sounded great, so I responded to it. The forms they ask you to fill out online are so glitchy and horrible; I filled out the same form three times because it kept refreshing. I get to the the studio for my "complimentary class"; I first walk in and the studio reeks of sweat. (Note that I have been attending studio fitness classes for years; I have never walked into a studio and thought it reeked of gnarly sweat before. Ever.) I get there, I buy grippy socks for class, and at this point I'm overlooking the smell and pumped to to give the class a chance. I then find out from the gal at the front desk that what I'm about to go into isn't a full 50 min class, but it's a 30 minute introduction to pilates where the instructor will be explaining how to use the machine. Note that manager Ali texted me and followed up with me after I originally responded to the ad, and used the term "complimentary class." So this is NOT a "complimentary class" for first timers... they sucker you into the studio by lying to you and calling it a "complimentary class" but you get 30 minutes of someone telling you how to use the machines. I asked if it was a true workout, would I sweat etc.. the front desk gal said "maybe". I took off my grippy socks and left. I went home and worked out in my home gym for an actual workout. I also need to note that I got to the studio 15 min early before the fake class was supposed to start. I was watching a class inside that was ongoing. The instructor was sitting while telling everyone what to do, and on her phone during the class. That's the epitome of uninspiring. In conclusion: This place smells horrible, has shoddy business organization, and they lie to people to get them into the studio. I look forward to seeing what business takes their place soon!

Very welcoming and a variety of classes to try. All of the teachers are nice and offer…read moreaccommodations of many of the poses.

Great studio with a nice variety of teachers/classes. There is something for everyone, from new…read moreyogis, to yogis with more experience.

Pam Udell has a company creating a new website for her, and the site should not be up and running…read moreyet. She was unaware that there were emails and messages waiting until last week. Once she became aware that I was out here, she texted (and twice emailed) me to apologize and make sure we connected. She was pretty upset to realize I had been waiting- and waiting, to make contact. I am going today for the first first time to practice with Pam Udell. She has been extremely kind and helpful working with me and my unpredictable schedule. I have heard and read that she is incredibly skilled and focused on the practice of yoga, as well as being highly trained and experienced. Her patience and flexibility (lol, get it?) have made my nerves disappear (Yes, I'm nervous; look her up, she's incredible!) and now there remains only excitement. She said if I'm running late, no problem, just text her or come the next day. Sure! Whenever is fine. What?? It's an appointment! Isn't the clock running? Nope. It's not about that. Four stars out of respect and appreciation for the process. I'll update later, simply because I absolutely anticipate the 5th star! **UPDATE Unbelievable. I learned so much from her that I called friends when I got home and told them a few of the tips she gave me! So much information. She is open and kind and so full of knowledge- and watching her move so fluidly to illustrate everything was simply a gift. It was a beautiful, inspiring, rejuvenating class. She also told me what temperature to look for (warm not hot, 88 max) and what type of classes to take until I can handle hot yoga and multiple classes. (I have issues. Like... I'm old and creaky.) More tweaks and tips than I learned in my last year of practicing. Really intuitive cues. In short, she is amazing on multiple levels. Everything made more sense to me by the time I left, almost 2 hours later. There really is a reason for everything. Wherever she is teaching, Go. Just go.

I love going to Pam Udell. I started with her years ago and continue to go a couple of times a…read moreweek. She is extremely knowledgeable, always with an emphasis on proper alignment. She loves what she does and it comes through in her classes. She also plays great music. Definitely try a class, you won't be sorry, you'll be hooked.

Yogasix has great challenging classes and all of the teachers are wam and welcoming. They are also…read morevery good! Mazy, the owner, and Taylor, the manager, are also incredibly kind and accommodating. They have a great variety of classes too. Highly recommend for any yogis out there.

I think the studio has really changed since Kira left. The schedule changes every few months. If…read moreyou do not have a 8-5 job, the schedule may work for you. Otherwise, the constant changes and lack of classes in the am and lack of breadth of the classes after 6 is problematic. After I asked to cancel my membership, I was required to pay for 2 additional months.

Phenomenal owner/instructor along with all instructors. Very personalized and attentive!read more

Over 60. Used to cardio workout and weights. Did not know pilates or yoga. A beginner…read more Receiving very thorough instruction and encouragement. Skeptical at first about the kind of workout but convinced it is a extremely beneficial and a enhancement to any routine. Beautiful studio. FG

May 20th, 2021 I highly recommend Essence Pilates Studio in…read moreDeerfield, Illinois Living in the North Shore for 32 yrs I have worked out in very upscale gyms/studios for many years. However, NOTHING compares to what I have experienced at Essence Pilates Studio. Not only do you workout with highly educated and skilled, professional trainers/instructors - you get a complete total body wellness experience. Inside and out. Your health and wellbeing means everything to your instructor. With that in mind, your health journey begins. In one months time my balance is better, my posture has improved, my muscles are redefined, I am toner, stronger, and down 10lbs. You will get a new found knowledge of how your body can work for you. I wish for you the blessed experience I have at the Essence Pilates Studio. Thank you Marilee you are awesome.

I've been doing Pilates for about a year at Essence with Brittney. At first I received a gift…read morepackage for 10 sessions and thought that was all I would do. I now go 3x a week. Pilates has helped me improve my overall fitness and reduce muscle pain. I also think my posture has improved. Brittney has worked tirelessly with me on my individual needs and is truly invested in my success. Overall, I highly recommend Essence as a studio where the standard of training their instructors is above the norm and where Marilee (owner and trainer) is focused on excellence in her people.

I get bored easily so I'm always looking for new (not so fun) ways to break a sweat. My most recent…read morediscovery - hit 180, which offers a variety of classes at many different times throughout the day. They are one of the few studios to offer both 5am and 530pm classes. You won't catch me at a 5am, but I'm all about the 530pm to prepare for my real workout of the night (bedtime with 3 children). Hit 180 classes occur in a massive personal training studio located behind Mariano's (or tick tock daycare to be exact). Parking can be challenging during the popular workout times, but they have a valet on staff then. They should really get him a valet shirt because the first time I handed him my keys I feared I was falling for a car theft scam I saw on Oprah several years back. Hit 180 is basically circuit training. It's a great total body workout where you get a bit of cardio in (rower and a few other torture machines). The majority of the class is weight lifting which I like but I wouldn't mind just a few more spurts of cardio throughout the workout. All instructors have been good and spend a lot of time correcting form, but my favorites are Alex and Carl. Surprisingly I've either been alone or with 1 other person in all Hit 180 classes (I hear the early morning classes get pretty busy) so you basically get all the benefit of a personal trainer for a fraction of the price. They also offer some other classes such as boxing, kickboxing and tabata. I tried the boxing with Edward, which consisted of a warm up, circuit training and punching the hell out of a bag. It was a great workout and fun, although I wish he spent a bit more time helping me and my other "new to boxing" friends with our form. I'd definitely go back though and can't wait to try kickboxing and tabata. I love the hit 180 class, but would like to see even more variety on the schedule. If you're looking for a new workout I recommend giving Hit 180 a try. Your first class is free and I highly doubt you'll only go once.

Update and changing my review from 4 to 2 stars:…read more After class yesterday, I noticed that my pinky finger started to feel numb, and something felt weird about my wrist and forearm. And then, my hand was just completely weak--I couldn't type or pick up a glass of water. Went to urgent care and got X-rays, and thankfully it's not broken, but there's inflammation around the nerves. The doctor said it was because I wasn't wearing wraps and may not have been wearing the right size gloves. I now realize that it's not just annoying that the instructor never checked to see if everyone had the proper equipment (it wasn't even the instructor or an employee that showed me where the gloves were--it was another student in class) but it's dangerous. No stretching afterwards, no equipment check... Unacceptable. So yes, fun class, but not worth it for the injury. Don't go unless you have the proper equipment, and you do your own stretching before and after. _________________________ I did the Cardio Boxing class with Nick for the first time this morning, and holy crap--that class will kick your butt. I read the reviews on ClassPass and saw that other people wrote "I thought my arms were going to fall off" and "I thought I was going to die" and then, of course, I was like, "oh yeah? let's see..." This class is one hour of non-stop cardio and strength. The "warm-up" is getting on the treadmill and running...and then doing 60 push-ups, and then doing 50 jumping jacks, and then mountain climbers...and then burpees ... then chest presses... then more pushups, then... (on and on). Then, finally you get into the circuit, which included hitting one-on-one with Nick, hitting the bag, shadow boxing with weights, step-ups on a giant tire, biking, rowing, the climbing machine, etc... And then finally you get into the ring for a last 15 minutes of punch combos on the bag. If you don't have gloves, they've got a bin full of them that you can borrow. I would suggest bringing your own wraps. I don't recommend this class to novices. It's very, very intense, and there's almost no instruction, so know your punches before you go. I had a great time, got a great workout, and would definitely return next time I'm in the area, but docked a star because there wasn't any instruction, nor was there instructor-led stretching before and after.