Yoga Culture In Chicago

Last week, I received an email which read:

Hey, Quintin. I recently moved to Chicago a few months ago and I must say the yoga classes I have taken here have been very weird. The teachers I have tried out have been mean, and the vibe is off in these studios… Can you recommend a cool place that offers yoga at a decent rate?

Well, to answer the question: No. I honestly couldn’t make any recommendation without bias. My friend Dana owns a lovely studio in Lakeview called The Yoga Boutique. I loved teaching yoga and pilates there because it was a friendly environment that was marketed to both beginners and hardcore athletes. You would only find classes like that inside of a gym, and my days of spokesmodeling for commercial health clubs are long over.

I empathize with not feeling comfortable at a yoga studio. But one has to keep in mind that the training of a yoga instructor (who eventually turns into the business owner) does not necessarily include knowledge in customer service and exercise. Sure, yogis know chants, and poses, and postures but many lack expertise in injury prevention, CPR/AED, and basic exercise psychology. These are things you would find at an actual gym with a certified group fitness instructor or a hired yogi with mandatory in-house training.

So, if you are willing to continue this search for a yoga studio/class that is suitable for your needs, this is what you should be looking for.

1. Your first class at any studio should be free, or a very cheap unlimited trial package should be offered. This is their opportunity to welcome you into their environment, and if they do a poor job at it, you don’t lose money.

2. They should be able to answer every single possible question you have about yoga practice. Not going to lie, silly questions can be really annoying, but it is completely reasonable to feel insecure about doing something that you’ve only heard celebrities talk about. (This sentiment also works for cocaine, oddly enough.)

3. Expect the “fake” vibe. Some people take yoga just to say they do it, which is their American right. But if you think that it is too much for you and that you can’t even make small talk with the staff then you should move it along. There are enough studios in this town to try out.

4. Your class should not feel like an olympic competition. It is your instructors duty to relieve you of any pressure to match the efforts of any “show offs”. Regardless of the level, the instructor should be giving the class options and modifications so that you are not stuck in a painful situation, lost, bored, or confused.

5. Finally, just be motivated! Yoga will improve everything in your life, so the search for the right class is well worth it. If you have found a class or instructor that you do like, please comment below for others to checkout.

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