Temple of Kriya Yoga

I went through the 200hr HYTT course here and loved it. Prior to getting certified, I was a regular meditator and had a personal yoga practice of my own (learning from DVDs and Audio tracks). I experienced a lot of things physically, emotionally and spiritually that I didnt understsand or could not explain. I spent almost a year researching, trying to find something that resonated with my experiences. Within that time frame, I was referred here by a yoga teacher I follow in my home town. She couldn’t have been more right. I remember getting chills consistently throughout the course as everything we were taught completely resonated with me — and ironically described things I had already experienced in my own personal practice! Of course, I learned so much more about where my practice was going to take me too. I am honored now, two years later, to teach my students practices that protect the body and develop our understanding of our Selves, and therefore, the Universe as a whole.
I also want to mention for those just researching for the first time, the Temple of Kriya Yoga is philosopy based and not religion. Rather, it can be a beautiful adjunct to your faith. There is always concern or pushback in this topic when it comes to yoga. You will meet people from all faiths, all backgrounds, and many paths very different from your own. And you will appreciate them all and learn a great deal within the powerful friendships that develop in this space. Expect a transformational experience.
Namaste :)

Having my Astrological Reading done!
Today was an Incredible Day!
My Aunt Arlene set up this appointment for me to have my
Astrological Reading/​Chart done and. I have been home
for an hour or so and I’m still so in awe of everything that happened today!
I had what is called a Natal Progressive-​18 month chart/​reading done
which pretty much started on the day and time I was born.
I was not sure what to expect but I met Mary Whitney and she took me upstairs
and went over so much about my life and things that have happened in
my life!
I have always been interested in astrology and I am a Libra and therefore I have
educated myself enough on other signs of the zodiac as well.
But. the things that Mary knew about me, without my telling her anything
personal about myself or my life was incredible!
Mary said things to me and thats all I could do was nod my head in
agreement because all of these things were true!
And this was a 2 hour reading today so you can imagine how much information
was discussed!
This is a lovely place/​building and Mary took me into the beautiful meditation room
which was designed to make one feel they were on top of a mountain!
Painted in sky blue with beautiful white clouds on the ceiling. It was stunning!
So. honestly, I left with a better sense of myself and where I may be headed in
the next 18 months and I also have a CD recording of our session going over
all the specifics.
So. it was a great experience and it was very real.
Mary Whitney is a Phenominal Woman.
And the Temple of Kriya Yoga is a magical place and
you can take that to the bank…

I started coming to the Temple of Kriya Yoga a few years ago to take a friend’s weekly restorative yoga class. I felt very comfortable here and then after a while, started attending the noon meditations on Sundays. The message is inspirational and often feels as if its speaking specifically to what is going on in my life or what actually happened to me this week. The spiritual leader and temple founder is Goswami (teacher) Kriyananda and you can watch many of his lessons on You Tube. Hopefully you will resonate with his message and you will enjoy practicing here, if not there are many other yoga programs that will be more to your taste, at least, at this time. The temple offers weekly yoga and meditation classes. Most people have experienced yoga classes that are focused on strenuous exercise, here the practice is Hatha and the emphasis is placed on achieving perfect alignment in each (asana) pose. The yoga classes here become a form of meditation and hopefully, part of your daily spiritual practice. Many of Chicago’s best yoga instructors have been certified here. This is a very unique place, a place of peace.

It is with a very heavy heart that I must warn anyone considering the HYTT program at the Temple of Kriya Yoga to stay far, far away.
I was forced out of this program in mid-​term for complaining that the main teacher said the following phrase during class:
«God is just a contraction of the word good.»

Um, no. I am just going to go against the grain here. I think this place thinks it’s doing yoga a service but it is not. When I went I was very much looking forward to it b/​c we just moved to the lovely logan square. It was the most annoying yoga class I’ve ever taken. The male instructor (Monday night) was very social with those who seemed to be regulars but not welcoming to newbies. He made jokes throughout class with his ‘friends’ and did not seem to have his class mapped out at all. I didn’t feel that I was being led. After every pose he said outloud ‘ok, what did I want to do next?’ This yoga center came off as a joke to me. Instructors teach while they are going through the program. I didn’t find it worth it to pay someone who is not a master to half ass relax me. I’d rather twist my body into a pretzel, pour hot mustard on myself, and poop myself. Seriously.

I’ve never taken a yoga class here but the astrology classes are fantastic and taught by people who know their art and really love teaching. The 12 noon services are nondenominational and if you stop in for one, you’ll probably find them very relaxing and just spiritual in nature – kind of a Power of Now or The Secret type of teaching — no cults here. I’ve gone to services and classes on and off and no one bothers me or calls me if I’m gone for 3 months.

It is true, the Temple is an amazing place! It is the most authentic, down to earth and supportive yoga studio I have ever been to, and I encourage anyone who is tired of the competitive atmosphere present in some studios to take a class here.

This place is fricking amazing. I was initially scared off by the spooky cult-​like façade (menacing stone building, bearded swami action, proximity to Adidam Ashram), but it was the nearest place for me to do yoga when I lived in Logan Square, so I gave it a try.
The building in itself is pretty amazing– it used to be the Norwegian Young Men’s Association Clubhouse (or something?). There’s a yoga studio with requisite props, a 70’s style lounge where they serve tea on sundays, replete with a giant mural of a unicorn, and a meditation room where they do events. You don’t have to join the cult of Kriya to take a yoga class here, but I’ve enjoyed attending some workshops and talks as well.
The yoga classes themselves are basic old school hatha– no fancy Bikram action here. They have some amazing instructors. I am partial to the Tuesday night restorative class taught by Carol Swann– it is incredibly relaxing and Carol is a wonderful teacher.