Yoga Illumined Studio

I am so grateful for Yoga Illumined. I am very picky/​selective/​discerning about yoga studios and yoga teacher training programs, and Yoga Illumined checks all of the items on my list phenomenally well indeed. The studio is very strongly based in all 8 limbs of yoga, as described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, while at the same time being very accessible to newbies. I also deeply appreciate that a good diverse array of different expressions, styles, and types of yoga are taught, so I find that I never get bored with the classes.
Sumukhi and Zoe, the two co-​founders and co-​owners, both have many years of experience teaching yoga and yoga teacher training programs, leading yoga retreats, and opening yoga studios in various locations. On top of that, they’re also both Sanskrit scholars, so the Sanskrit (which is the original language of yoga) is fantastic. They’re also really nice people, which is true of everyone else at the studio as well.
Yoga Illumined is also very active at hosting events such as kirtans, workshops, community events. I truly can’t say enough good things about this studio. I’m there a lot. :-)

I’ve been to quite a few yoga studios in the south side, but Yoga Illumined is my favorite. What really sets this studio apart is the atmosphere, the teachers, and their yoga philosophy. I am by no means a flexible person, but I feel like a yogi bad ass after every class. The classes are usually small enough that you get the attention you need to achieve each posture comfortably with props or adjustments. I don’t do yoga just for the workout, I practice to be more attuned to my body and spirituality, and this studio is perfect for those with the same goals. I’ve been to quite a few classes with different instructors and they are all wonderful. My favorite class is taught by Sumukhi, she sings, plays the harmonium, is full of positive energy and is just an all-​around amazing and experienced instructor (her credentials alone are impressive). I can have the shittiest, most stressful day and walk out of Yoga Illumined feeling renewed and at peace.

Short:
Do not fall prey to a promotion you «might use», as they apparently need/​want the money, and won’t refund you if you forget about it then realize you never intend upon using it. This is a capitalist and greedy studio with very poor, negative customer service. Yoga is meant to be positive and welcoming, not money-​grubbing and repulsive in character.
Long:
An introductory class/​1 week promo was purchased here a few months back so that I could attend an acroyoga class with a friend at this studio that is quite far from my Hyde Park neighborhood, but they cancelled then I forgot about the promo. I called today after realizing a few months later that I had made the purchase, asking for a refund as realistically I will never go there. I was told there are no refunds. I said that is hardly in line with the yoga philosophy, which I was then very tersely asked if I knew anything about. Having no interest in debate I merely said «Generally it isn’t capitalistic» at which point the woman on the phone began speaking in tongues that were neither native nor comfortable to her clearly American lexicon. I interrupted her, asking «So that is your final answer, you are going to keep my money knowing that I will never go to your class?» and she ceased stumbling through a foreign language and very objectively and calmly said, in English, «Yes, no refunds.». I wished her luck in her business and hung up. Whatever, they likely would not have been worth my $ 20 anyways given the distance and notably poor attitude of the owner, but apparently they need money so bad that they’d rather gather negative karma and a poor Unilocal review. Go to Black Swan Yoga, they have numerous locations and positive vibes.

This is an amazing studio. It’s pretty new and still has that new studio smell.
I have taken classes from 10 – 12 of their teachers and every one has been knowledgeable, friendly and taught me something new.
The owners are great about setting up events that the community may like.
I recently went to glow yoga. Yeah you heard me right. GLOW YOGA. Glow sticks, DJ, awesome asanas and I left glowing from the inside.
I can’t wait to try out the new ashtanga classes.
The restorative and Hatha are my current favorites.
I Jammed out to mantras and magical music at last Friday’s Kirtan event.
I love the vibe, the gold bling, the Sanskrit on the walls and especially the tea and cookies available after class.
I highly recommend trying out a class or 5
If you interested in deepening your practice or teaching yoga, their training classes are quite Illumined!!!