Yoga Now

If you want the real yoga experience, go to yoga now. I did teach training with Amy and truly had an amazing experience. She is such a great teacher ! All the teachers at yoga now are amazing !!! Every time I go there I have a great experience. This is not your core power, gym kinda place, it’s a real yoga studio with experienced professionals. I highly recommend !!! Best yoga studio in Chicago.

Syndnie was FABULOUS!!! I have never felt this good after a massage. I will be back!!!

Enjoyable yoga classes. I love the MT Sydnie-I’ve been working with her for a few months now and my body has never responded better to another massage therapist.
Great location.

Worst massage of my life. I went here with my friend for massages a d we both agreed it was was WORST massage of our lives. I asked the therapist 3 times to put more pressure and she didn’t. I didn’t even want to leave a tip, I was so stressed out that I was even paying for this. Thank GOD I bought my massage on groupon. Lesson learned!

Love this place! I’ve taken several different classes with different teachers and they have all been excellent. They are super knowledgeable and seem to really enjoy what they do. What I love most is how they focus on the practice of yoga. They stay true to focusing on the connection of mind, body, and spirit. It’s not all about getting a workout and calorie burn. It’s authentic and the integrity of the practice is not lost. I haven’t used any of the other amenities such as sauna or massage, so I can’t speak of that, but I would definitely recommend coming here for a great yogic experience. –namaste

This morning had a massage with Kate. It was great! Her perky attitude helped to wake me up then before long I was in a trance.
She explained what she was doing– but didn’t try to fill the silence. And, actually made me feel better about my problem areas with her knowledge.
The room was very warm. So was the bed. The guitar strumming was a lovely melody. And, I was happy that they were available in the a.m. for me.

Yoga Now is a little oasis in River North. I have taken vinyasa and prenatal classes here, and enjoyed prenatal, deep tissue, and swedish massages. The instructors and massage therapists are top-​notch. The pre-​natal yoga teacher Jennifer has such a calming and soothing presence. Her class kept me strong and free of pain throughout my pregnancy. I highly recommend attending this class if you are pregnant! For massage, Alina is amazing for pre-​natal and deep tissue.
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The only downside is getting into the studio. The building should fix the buzzer!

I have been practicing at yoga now for 3 months now and have nothing but good things to say. I moved from Miami where I practiced at miami life center and the standard hotel. To say the least it was hard to find comparable facilities and teachers. But yoga now is it, if you are a dedicated practitioner. It is in the heart of downtown and opens well before 6am making it accessible to the 9 to 5ers like me. It is clean, friendly, with all the basics, clean showers, towels, water, tea etc. The mysore teachers, Bill, Kali and Jessica, are experienced ashtanga teachers and give great adjustments and really help flourish each student’s practice.

Spending a wintery week in Chicago — coming from Phoenix — this yoga find was a much needed escape from the frostbite. I was determined to keep moving despite the cold’s attempt to hijack my body and motivation, and attending a few classes here did just the trick! I only took Ashtanga with Kim, but would likely go out of my way next time in town just to come to class here.
I like the cozy entrance and heated bench. I’m not one for frills when it comes to a studio, so a humble ambience that can still pull off being inviting is good enough for me. Complimentary water and tea, quality mats to loan, towels to boot — small basics go a long way. Newbies can take advantage of their first month unlimited classes for $ 49, which I imagine is a steal for Chicago. Even at $ 20 a drop in, that’s probably almost under what I’d expect from a large city. Class packages were really reasonable as well.
As for class itself — I can’t speak to much beyond the Ashtanga primary series. But for those Ashtangis out there, this a perfect setting for a traditional start to finish practice. Having attending different «versions» of the primary series around the country, this was led extremely well — Thanks Kim! Adjustments were awesome and there was a certain intimacy in the small room that made being a traveler feel less intimidating than other studios I’ve visited. Thank you for sharing your lovely space! Namaste :)

This is only for the massages I’ve received at Yoga Now, and I almost hate to post this because I’m afraid I’m giving up Chicago’s best-​kept secret, but… Alina Parada is AMAZING. Best massage of my life, and my father said exactly the same thing when I booked him a session with her while he was visiting during his birthday. She is so kind and wonderful! Thank you, Alina!!!

I’ve been here twice for massages (thru Groupon) and I’ve always had a really great time! Both times I had Kira for my massage and she’s really great! The first time I asked for a deep tissue massage (I paid a bit extra to ‘upgrade’ to this from my basic Groupon for a swedish massage) because I just really needed it (I hadn’t had a massage for a loooong time), and Kira was strong and skillful. Second time I went back for just for a Swedish massage, which was so great & relaxing that I almost fell asleep a few times (I probably did).
The massage room is a dimly lit room with relaxing music playing in the background. The bed is heated and really comfortable.
I don’t know about the yoga here, but I do know that Kira is a great masseuse!

This review is for massages ONLY.
I was always one to jump around between massage therapist; I never had one that I really loved or really hated. I guess they were all mediocre. That’s until I met Taryn. My God, she is phenomenal. She knows exactly where I’m tense and applies the perfect amount of pressure. Afterwards, she recommends specific stretches for me to do. She is my go-​to woman. But please don’t overbook her schedule after reading this (and the many other) reviews — I want to still be able to see her! :)

My girlfriend got a massage here and left feeling very uncomfortable. To preface, she receives massages very regularly and has for years. Despite having back pains the masseuse, TJ, focused on massaging around her crotch, breasts, and butt without any explanation before, during or after the massage. She felt taken advantage of and generally abused. Avoid this place.

Wonderful studio! Had a bit of trouble getting started as a new client and the owner, Amy, went above and beyond to help me out and make sure I had the best experience possible. Attended a restorative yoga workshop that was incredibly relaxing and calming. The interior is a big surprise coming off of the streets of Chicago and is very relaxing and like a little escape. Will definitely be attending again! Can’t say enough about it.

I can’t belive Yoga Now doesn’t have a five-​star overall rating. This is probably the best yoga studio I’ve ever been. The teachers are excellent, the facilities are great, and I just love the vibe of the place overall. As a beginner at the time, I started out in basic courses, then worked my way up to more intermediate classes. The teachers are incredibly talented, incredibly nice, and incredibly welcoming to anyone of any level. I’d recommend this yoga studio for anyone of any age or level to either start their practice or to practice among some awesome yogis.

Came here because I was in desperate need of a massage. Found a Groupon and checked out the reviews on Unilocal (of course) and decided Yoga Now was where I was going.
Made my appointment the day before, it’s all done online and is super easy.
The minute I walked into the space I was greeted by the nicest man who offered me water or green tea and gave me a tour of the space. They have this amazing heated rock bench that is in the lobby, I kinda want one for my house.
My appointment was with Chris. Before we started he asked me if there were any special areas he needed to work on, um yes. I knew I wasn’t going in for a relaxing one hour massage, my back needed some serious work. I walked in there in pain, and left feeling 100 times better. This will be my go-​to place for massages for sure!

I still love this place, even though I don’t frequent it as much as I’d like to. I did just take the Wednesday Ashtanga class with Amy Beth, the owner, from 12 – 1, and it was absolutely awesome. I woke up the next morning wondering what had happened to every single muscle in my body. This class will work you out, and more importantly, it is taught in the tradition of Sri Patthabi Jois (founder of Ashtanga) with few/​only minor adjustments. It is really good, and so is Amy Beth! I don’t know what took me so long to take her class. She will make you love Ashtanga. Oh, and my sister who is new to Ashtanga went with me, and she was able to follow along with the series without any problem at all.
I’ve also done the Gong Bath here twice, and I am going back for more this weekend. It is such an incredible, meditative, unique experience, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Words can’t really describe it, you just have to go.
I love this studio because its heart is in the right place in that it is focused on yoga in its purest forms and on classes/​workshops that help you to develop to your highest potential. It’s a wonderful haven in the midst of a lot of urban living!

This review is based on massages I received here. I have not attended any yoga classes at Yoga Now.
I bought a groupon for three massages at Yoga Now and was excited to book them right away. You can book appointments online, and that’s something I found to be very convenient.
First, I need to comment on the interior of Yoga Now. It is on the second floor of a building on the Near North Side of Chicago. As soon as you enter, you are transported into another Yogi world! I do not intend to make it seem kitsch, but it is decorated à la Rainforest Café style (with class). Bamboo walls, a HEATED carved wooden bench, two big yoga rooms, saunas, showers, and a couple massage rooms in the back. It was like you were walking through a tent haven in the jungle. I haven’t been here for yoga, but it looks like it would be a fun experience.
I booked all three massages with Taryn. I had two swedish massages and upgraded one to a deep tissue massage for an extra $ 15. I found Taryn to be a great massage therapist and she offered some great advice for the issues I struggle with regarding my upper back pain.
I don’t recommend coming here for a massage unless you have a deal, via Groupon or something else. Yoga Now is a really cool yoga studio that also does massages on the side. It is not a spa, and massages are not at the core of what they offer. However, the regular prices for massages here are what you’d find at a bigger spa. Without the «full spa experience», I just don’t think it is worth paying full price here.

I was in Chicago for MLA – lots of people wearing make-​up, heels and suits who usually work in their jammies, thus so much stress in the air that it was practically condensing on the elevator walls. YogaNow (which is sort of an angry, demanding name, right?) became my refuge, particularly Bill’s Mysore-​style Ashtanga classes. Bill made a great first impression in his Led Zeppelin t-​shirt, gave solid adjustments, and was attentive without being, well, creepy. It’s a fine line and he walked it in style. The big room was plenty big, and this isn’t one of those places where a spray bottle of water is considered a «prop» (i.e. not-​Ashtanga, or lame).
I also enjoyed Jessica Aiken’s Jivamukti, which was a nice change of pace – very Ashtanga-​based vinyasa with some meditation thrown in that was centering, not cloying.
Didn’t use the bathrooms or showers, but appreciate their existence. Only bummer is the bottleneck formed by having the cubbies and shoe mats in a narrow cul de sac.
I recommend this place to any and all Mysore fans – it’s not super spendy if you get a package or a deal, and it’s far better than practicing in the hotel gym.

Have never taken a yoga class here but did get a massage recently. People working could not have been nicer but the massage was semi ridiculous. The woman spent too much time rubbing my face and playing with my eyebrows… At one point I almost burst out laughing.
It was supposed to be a deep tissue swedish massage and I’d say she barely scraped the surface. Her breathing was heavy, the lights were all on — needless to say it was difficult to relax.
From what I’ve read the yoga seems pretty decent. I’d recommend trying a massage some where else.