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...

Very welcoming and friendly experience. We were introduced to the meditation center from a friend…read moreand will continue to go. I highly recommend if you are looking for a Zen Buddhist temple.

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

Wouldn't trust Shambhala as far as I could throw them! Any "meditation" studio that would host wild…read moreparties after closing hours with incredibly loud DJing, in my opinion, shouldn't be teaching patrons how to relax. Doesn't sound so peaceful now, does it? I question the judgement of any business owner who would allow their children or relatives to come into their space and be so obnoxious and disruptive to other residents in 1017 West Washington. If you can't respect your neighbors, you certainly shouldn't be preaching love and joy. There are plenty of other ethical places to go in west loop to expand your practice. Please don't give them the satisfaction of neighborly kindness when they can't do the same in return.

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!

I am thoroughly impressed with the TM practice in downtown Chicago. Jane carefully taught me the…read morebasics and she and Brett have been great teachers during the rest of the course. Jane is available via phone as I have questions and want to check-in. I feel very supported in my practice. Highly recommended!

For seasoned floaters, Float Sixty offers a low-touch experience that trusts you to make good use…read moreof the space and time in it. I appreciate that. I don't come for a lot of chit chat or want a lot of handholding, and I have always found the staff really perceptive and accommodating. For newbies, they do a very good job of getting you oriented without an overwhelming list of remember-such-and-so's. The accoutrements of float tanks are neatly arrayed and intuitive, e.g., ear plugs, petroleum jelly to cover an scratches or spots that would be irritated by the salinity of the water, towel, washcloth for pre- and post-float shower. The space itself is thoughtfully designed, soothing, and exceptionally clean. I have not tried the full rang of their float rooms/tanks but I'll vouch for the Samadhi tank (#OldSchool).

My partner and I had been loyal members at Float Sixty for some time and truly valued the benefits…read moreof floating. Unfortunately, our experience was completely soured due to repeated negative encounters with one employee--Rochelle. Despite the calming and restorative nature of the space, Rochelle's attitude and unprofessional behavior made visits increasingly uncomfortable. She was consistently dismissive, unaccommodating, and at times outright rude. After giving it the benefit of the doubt multiple times, we finally decided to bring our concerns to the attention of the owner, Gloria. To our disappointment, Gloria did nothing to address the situation. We had hoped for some form of accountability or at least an open, honest conversation, but instead, it felt like our concerns were brushed off entirely. We didn't want to cancel our membership--we genuinely loved the service and the concept--but we're not willing to support a business that allows one toxic employee to undermine the entire experience, especially when leadership refuses to take responsibility. Sadly, we've since canceled our membership and won't be returning. I hope Float Sixty takes customer feedback more seriously in the future--for the sake of others who still value what it could be.

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'm not sure why this place doesn't have more reviews and why I have never been here before. It is…read morejust a mile away from my house! Free meditation classes (donations are accepted) are offered on Wednesdays at 7pm-8pm and Saturdays 10am-11am. The class starts with 10 minute stretching exercises, followed by a 50 minute guided meditation. I am a beginner, so I absolutely loved the guidance because my mind kept wandering. The instructor and other staff members were incredibly welcoming, hospitable, and generous. They even invited us to a homemade Thai lunch downstairs after the meditation. I love that I have found a new community of nonjudgmental people. If you want to feel relaxed and accepted, don't hesitate to meditate here!

A truly wonderful place to learn more about meditation. The staff are warm, friendly and very…read morehelpful. Highly recommended.

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!

I spent many years reading about eastern philosophy, Buddhism and meditation and struggling to…read moredevelop a practice on my own. I also had a very demanding professional and personal schedule which made it difficult to fit a series of classes in my schedule. I looked at a lot of different options and determined that ZLMC was the best fit for me and started classes a couple of years ago when my schedule finally allowed it. I couldn't have been more pleased. In reading about Buddhism, among many great writers and teachers, I was always drawn to good western writers who journeyed east and returned home. Generally, they seemed to be able to focus on the essence what the Buddha taught without getting distracted by non-fundamental religious traditions and dogma added later. ZLMC is simple, comforting and approachable. It's designed to allow anyone of any religious tradition (or no tradition, agnostics or atheists) to simply learn how to meditate, how to develop a habit or practice of daily meditation into your life and how to use that gift throughout all aspects of your life and daily challenges to make improvements. The approach at ZLMC from Robert isn't to convert you to a new religion, but to gently and lovingly teach you a life practice that can benefit you psychologically, socially and physically. The approach is grounded in learning to love yourself and comfortably begin to peacefully, compassionately and patiently approach your life and the world as it is, not as your mind deceives you into believing it is. ZLMC is a Chicago (and beyond) treasure. Both Robert and June are wonderful teachers. I'm sure everyone's path and experience is different. However, if you are looking for a place that is compassionate, non-judgmental, not preachy and free from weighty dogma to learn a bit about meditation without being judged or pressured, I'd encourage you to take a look a ZLMC in Oak Park and sign up for a class!

The Zen life and meditation center has been instrumental in reshaping my life into one that is…read morepurpose driven, mindful, and without excessive anxiety and stress. I am a student there and highly recommend anybody who questions whether they can improve their life to visit us!

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!

The center's teacher, Gen Zamling, has all the qualities of a great teacher. His lessons are well…read morethought out, flows well, and easy to understand. During this pandemic, there are many daily lectures offered via zoom. Contact the center for more details.

It's easy to miss walking past, but this little gem of a place is like a pocket of peacefulness in…read morea super busy and lively part of town. Everyone is super friendly, and they seem to go out of their way to make new-comers comfortable. The space itself is small, but very peaceful -- just big enough for the classes they do, plus a hangout area and a small shop area with meditation essentials. The classes are always really practical and easy to understand. The teachers make a point of connecting things to everyday situations, often with a warm sense of humor, so that my time there helps out for days and days afterward. I'm not enlightened yet :) ... but I've been able to become someone who has fewer and fewer "yuk" days, and more and more "yay" days. Right now, they're doing all their classes live online because of the pandemic -- which makes it super easy to connect to tons of classes. If you haven't been there, this would be the perfect time to try it out.