I recently went on Chill's spring meditation and wellness retreat in New Buffalo, Mich. The best…read morepart of the retreat is that I still feel relaxed and have carried the energy and lessons from the weekend into my daily routine. I'll preface it by sharing that prior to the retreat, I meditated maybe a dozen times. I went on the retreat because I wanted to incorporate more meditation into my life. Now, meditation is not only something I do, but I look forward to. The entire retreat beat my (always high) expectations. Chill's retreat included two nights at the Marina Grand hotel, five meditations, three yoga sessions, a class focused entirely on breathing, a gong bath and wellness sessions on goal setting and mindful eating. I can't say enough about Laura, who ran the retreat and runs Chill; Cari, who led the yoga sessions; and Darrell who led the meditations. The hotel was lovely - our room had a fireplace and two Adirondack chairs on the marina-facing patio - perfect for your morning coffee. The retreat also included two dinners and breakfasts - all were very good and catered to all dietary needs. We had time on our own for lunch on Saturday and my friend and I wandered into town for lunch at Beer Church Brew Co. We capped off our weekend perfectly with meditation and yoga focused on loving kindness before saying goodbye to our new friends. The retreat was perfect mix of spiritual and wellness guidance and also provided necessary time for us to reflect on the lessons of the day. I'm so happy I went and I'm already looking forward to going back to Chill and to the next retreat in the fall.

I was killing time waiting on a friend and came upon this gem. The name says it all, seriously It…read morewas so chill and relaxing! Super cute place ...their approach is .. massage without taking ur clothes off .. for people on the go.. it was amazing.. seriously my neck and shoulders feel so amazing! Jose did a fabulous job - I chose the chair massage. This establishment is more known for their meditation studio, which I can't wait to try out next!

It's a comfortable center and the location is right downtown and easy to get to…read more The practice in itself is very simple, easy to grasp and the teachers are ever ready to answer any questions you have on the practice itself or whether your technique of doing it is correct. I enjoyed the intro talk with Tegan Jung and learning the proactive itself with another teacher from Florida. There are also weekly group meditation sessions that you could attend once done with the course. I'm glad with the results so far.

This center offers a holistic approach to reducing stress and promoting health through meditation…read moretechniques. Their program, which involves meditation sessions with great guides aims to promote relaxation and mental clarity, ultimately reducing stress levels. I've been extremely stressed from work and happy I found this place! It's so close to home too. I have noticed improved sleep quality and a blank mind /new slate as a result. The cost is extremely affordable I think it's like an installment plan of around $150 or so, it offers such an accessible option for those seeking to invest in their mental well-being. I do suggest researching the journey before beginning!

As someone who does yoga for a nice stretch and relaxation/centering rather than an aggressive…read morephysical workout, Room to Breathe is my ideal yoga studio. -The 5:45pm class time on weekdays and there in the loop location makes it easy to be able to squeeze in a yoga class right after work. -The studio provides all the mats and props, and the teachers set them out for you and put them away. Not having to lug a yoga mat to and from the office greatly increases my ability to come by for a class after work. -They offer true restorative and gentle flow classes. Chicago seems to be a city that loves its hot and ashtanga/vinyasa yoga, and the Room to Breath offerings fill a niche I haven't found elsewhere. -The class sizes are small and intimate. I don't think I've ever had more than eight people in a class, and 4-5 is usually more typical. -The instructors are gentle, precise, intuitive, and body positive. If this is your very first yoga class, you'll feel confident in your ability to follow their directions to execute poses correctly. The fact that this studio is tied to a psychotherapy practice probably helps inform this sensitive and mindful approach to yoga! Give yourself a few extra minutes to find the studio, since it is on the 10th floor of a nondescript Loop office building (not usually what you expect!), but after you find it the first time, I guarantee you'll be back.

Whitney's is so supportive. I feel stretched, centered and ready to take on the week after joining…read moreher Monday morning.

I started meditation about four years ago when I first moved to Chicago. I checked out at least 20…read moredifferent places for a year and for not decide on any style at the time. I had however home to Shambhala most consistently due to its clear message and simple uncomplicated style of meditation. I wanted something that is a direct experience. I did not want evocations of divine or human figures as that was just too distracting and confusing. The most appealing aspect, however, was it's focus on social action. I was surprised when looking around by the self-centered focus of many centers' practices. Having grown up in Asia when Buddhist organizations are known for their social outreach, that was bothersome to me. I like Shambhala's unapologetic embracement of social action as key to improving both ourselves and our society. I love the new center. It is convenient, spacious, and welcoming. It has essentially integrated itself into my life. For those looking, I highly recommend taking the time to check different places out and finding your own style. I took over a year but when the time came, this felt just right.

I have always had a welcoming and peaceful experience here, both online and in person.read more

It feels somehow weird to be rating a Buddhist Temple, but here I go:…read more This temple is a nice place to quiet the mind and remind yourself of your practice. They have a Sunday morning community service, it starts at 10am and literally at 10am they will just start silent meditation, follow by an interval with chanting and prayer, than you are back into meditation for another 25 minutes. After that there is a dharma talk, final announcements, and you are welcome to join the group for tea and sweets in the downstairs hall. I have been going to the Sunday service for a month. It's been a very good experience. They offer an introduction to meditation class, retreats and membership with more hours for week services and yoga. There is also a cute bookstore by the entrance.

This review is about my experience staying at the Temple for few nights, not the meditation sits,…read morewhich were great! Years back, I had stayed few days at the Zen Buddhist Temple, which was ran by this nice lady monk who had since moved. Because I had a phenomenal and transformative experience, I decided to come back for a second retreat! When I came back, the Temple was ran by a male monk from Korea (could be the same monk now, not sure), and I left there with an uncomfortable and unpleasant time. Reflecting on this, I realized that there were certain assumptions that the male monk failed to inform me, before I checked in. I don't want to go into exact details of what those issues were because I don't want to ruin people's view of the Temple. But, if you have any plans to stay at the Temple overnight, ask what rules and expectations are for guests, especially when it comes to the access and use of the kitchen...

Great place to learn and practice meditation as well as learn about and practice spirituality…read more There's events as well and the world peace meditation series on the 3rd Sundays every month.

If you are looking to raise your energetic vibrations to a higher level, this is the place. They…read moreare so warm, welcoming and positive. I'm definitely looking forward to taking more classes to help me along my spiritual journey. Their classes are free, you can tell the people here are genuine and everything comes from the heart.

A life-changing experience! Chris Cinnamon is a phenomenal instructor!…read more If you are curious about Tai Chi or looking for an incredible new class, you must check out Chicago Tai Chi and instructor Chris Cinnamon! I started his classes recently and the experience has been absolutely fantastic. Chris embodies everything you could want in a teacher: he is incredibly thorough, breaking down movements so they are easy to understand for all levels. He has a truly great energy that makes every session both relaxing and invigorating. Beyond his knowledge, Chris is remarkably gentle and kind. He creates a welcoming, supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable learning at their own pace. His deep expertise shines through, making even complex concepts approachable. These classes have been a highlight of my week. I highly recommend Chris Cinnamon and Chicago Tai Chi to anyone in the Chicago area!

I joined CTC after decades of hockey and contact sports burned out my back and knees. I had no…read moreexpectations going in, just curiosity. I was immediately impressed by the knowledge, experience, and talent of the instructors. More so, I appreciated their respectful treatment of students. The subjects they teach are interesting and helpful both mentally and physically. The teaching is clear and concise with ample time for questions. I can't imagine a better way to learn. I have experienced positive results in terms of my initial health issues and am back at some of the sports I had given up. I highly recommend Chicago Tai Chi!

All the staff is so nice and full of knowledge. The reformer classes at night are super relaxing…read more Every instructor is different in style and the studio is super clean and nicely decorated. Good quality equipment.

Namastate of Mind was such a cute find, as we were lured in by their cute sidewalk sale from their…read morewellness shop - The cute clothes and accessories were fun to peruse, and made with super soft and comfortable material. The place offers classes, such as instructor-led pilates, yoga, sound healing, and breath & meditation sessions, and when you peek through their entrance area, it's actually quite beautiful! Staff here were super friendly and sweet, all readily available to offer any type of assistance or answer any questions. Limited street parking can be found in the area. +wellness shop +group sessions +friendly service

I've practiced yoga for nearly 15 years, and my practice has naturally ebbed and flowed--sometimes…read moredaily, and recently, not at all for almost a year. Ritual immediately reminded me why I love it. The space is welcoming and incredibly clean, the teachers are knowledgeable, and the hands-on assists were chef's kiss. I also LOVE the 105° heat--there's nothing like that external warmth as you build heat internally and allow your body to really open. I left feeling like I got everything I'd been missing and more. Highly recommend, and so excited to make Ritual my Chicago home studio!

I've heard about Ritual Hot Yoga as there's one in San Francisco. That said, I haven't checked out…read morethe studio and was excited to find that there was a location close to my hotel. I got there early and was greeted by Niah. She helped me get acquainted with the studio and set up with my mat towel. Love a studio pup, so it was such a treat meeting Mars, Niah's dog. I appreciated the ambiance of the room. The dark walls with flameless candles created the feeling of sacredness, which is exactly what my yoga practice means to me. It's my own, and the fact I couldn't see everyone else gave me freedom to explore my practice without judgment. I honestly had no expectations of the class. I was just excited to do yoga and listen to the throwback Thursday playlist. I had no idea I was going to put in work! Plus the room was much hotter than I'm used to, so I got a good sweat in. Niah's flow was simple but also challenging as she offered options to level up the practice. It was a great well rounded class, and she made it accessible for all levels of experience. I would highly recommend this studio, and check out Niah's class! She's an awesome teacher.

Maria is absolutely the best! She is an expert at acupuncture and answered my questions about my…read morehealth and well being. I really appreciate it Maria! I always feel better after seeing you!

Mrs. Torres healed my pain within a month with acupuncture. I was dealing with pain for years. I…read morerecommend her to anyone looking for alternative treatment. She is extremely knowledgeable and professional.