Chaturanga Holistic Fitness

I loved Chaturanga Holistic Fitness! Their pilates and yoga classes were some of the best I’ve taken. They were adaptable for all levels, and I always left class feeling better than when I started class. However, after the first month price package ran out I haven’t been able to afford to go back. I definitely recommend trying it if you’re in the Hyde Park area and as soon as I can afford it I will definitely be back!

I did the two week trial here, and while I think they do a great job catering to their clientele, I was disappointed. I may have tried the wrong classes, but I had more than one experience where the class was attended by and focused on an older population. Prior to attending, this was not clear from the class descriptions on their website. I had a few ok experiences, but on the whole, these yoga and pilates classes were designed more for the meditation and gentle stretch crowd… not for the physical challenge that I look for in these sorts of classes.

Such a great space. Kara is the best yoga teacher I’ve ever had and I highly recommend her class. But honestly, most of the instructors are amazing and the facility is really nice. Love this place :)

I went to Chaturanga regularly for about 2 years and it really became a home away from home. My usual yoga instructors, Emily and Kara, were amazing. I especially loved how they ended each class with a mini-​temple or shoulder massage and aromatherapy.
But probably most helpful of all was Marylee for both private and group pilates sessions. She really helped me focus on some back issues I was having. I realized the weird postural things I was doing throughout the day and how I could correct them. I also got a Structural Integration series that I highly recommend. It was one of the most intense (but in a good way) physical experiences I’ve had and the effects are definitely felt for quite a while afterwards.

Excellent teacher and great environment for yoga!

Yes!!! This is the best Zumba house in Hyde Park! I have tried my first Yoga class… very relaxing. I love this place.

3×5 stars for Emily, Brian, and Kara!
These gentle and thoughtful people pretty much saved my life this past, ungodly, winter. We are so lucky to have them in Hyde Park.
There were a few things about the place that, at times, made it (breathe in) difficult (and out) for me to contain my «other warrior». However, it all just goes back to the teachers that kept derailing my «train of reasons» into… oh, well, just try it out and you’ll see for yourself:)

I’ve been going here for a little over a year and I cannot even begin to explain what a difference it has made for me. I had chronic, debilitating disc issues that were affecting every part of my life to the point where I had to stop working. At the advice of a doctor friend of mine, I started off with one-​on-​one Pilates training. The owner, Mary Lee, was my instructor and when she wasn’t available, another Pilates instructor met with me. What I really liked was that they knew anatomy really well — that really lends a lot of credibility compared to most other fitness teachers or yoga teachers — and could explain things to me beautifully. I could not possibly have taken an exercise class with someone who didn’t know all the muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc. because of my diagnoses, and because my physical therapists in the past had warned me about certain exercises being bad for people with disc problems. Well, I could feel the difference to my body even after 2 weeks of Pilates, believe it or not. It was expensive ($ 65 per session I think) but worth every damn penny! I did that for 10 weeks at which point I would have liked to «graduate» to a mat therapy Pilates class but I just wasn’t at that level yet. Mary Lee advised me to go back to physical therapy which I did intensively for 6 weeks. (Found a good local physical therapist who even came to Pilates with me once!) Although I still wasn’t at the level of the people doing the mat class when I returned, I had advanced considerably and had built up my strength and was able to do many of the basic exercises. Now, a year later, I’m at a point where I can do pretty much everything that the rest of the class can do. Very exciting! I never would have predicted it a year ago. I go to Susie Pucelli’s Thursday morning class (LOVE her) and will resume going to AJ’s Tuesday morning class too, now that I feel the winter fat coming on! I have to say that all four of the instructors I have worked with have been the most caring people. When they say Chaturanga «Holistic» Fitness, they really mean it. Not only do the instructors make you feel at ease, they are very positive and never once have made me feel bad about what I couldn’t do. I really lucked out, getting such an encouraging team of people. They’re also constantly reminding me and others in the class to modify exercises as we see fit for whatever issues we have — back pain, hip pain, etc. and will give instructions on how to do so. I really love these people! And the others who come to the classes are really nice. None of that competitive high school gym class nonsense –we’re all adults here and no one cares what the person next to them is doing.

I have been going to Chaturanga since it first opened, and I go 3 – 5 times a week for both yoga and pilates. This place is as good as it gets! The teachers are absolutely fantastic, and the facility is great. This is my favorite place in Hyde Park! The variety of classes they offer is really amazing, and they have a variety of times for every class so it’s easy to find something that works with your schedule.
Chaturanga has really improved my life over the last few years– I couldn’t recommend it more highly!

I have only taken yoga classes here, but they have been wonderful. I am a beginner and found both Brian and Pat’s class perfect. I have also taken Kara’s class and enjoyed it tremendously
The studio is beautiful and very conducive to a happy yoga experience.
Chaturanga is one of the great new Hyde Park institutions. A wonderful addition to the neighborhood!

I am new to yoga and have tried four different classes at Chaturanga, (both yoga and Zumba) and have enjoyed each one a great deal. My favorite class so far has been the Saturday Vinyasa with Lani –she was incredibly knowledgable and I appreciated how she was able to redirect me whenever I was «off» with a pose. Also, the front desk staff and administrators are both very helpful and friendly! Great variety of classes, and convenient schedules.

Great space, wonderful teachers, excellent staff and service. A little expensive if you take class there often – would be great if their ten class passes offered a bit more of a discount. But that’s my only complaint!

I go to Chaturanga for zumba classes. They have a few instructors and I like rotating among them for more variety (I recommend Meagan for an intense and fun workout!)
The prices are reasonable but what I like most is their schedule, esp. night classes! zumba is usually from 7.30−8.30pm, which is great (they also have classes during the day but they’re not convenient for me). I know from friends that their yoga and pilates classes are good too but I’ve never tried them. on of these days I will!
I’m glad they were able to expand and add a couple of new rooms even tough zumba is still held in a room with a column in the middle, which is pretty annoying! I also like that the management is flexible and friendly, if they’re thinking of introducing a new class they ask time preferences, they organize social events and such. Plus, it’s a local business!

I just started yoga and have been interested in meditation as well. I noticed a regular Sunday evening meditation session in Hyde Park and I was really excited to partake.
Let me sum up my experience. After standing in a cramped hallway for about 20 minutes while someone was bringing the key to the studio, we finally began the session. I was sitting in a lotus position on a pillow, switching between the longest breath and the longer breath (longer than the longest breath?), counting to myself: one, two, three, four, five, six, etc., and thinking that the guy across from me had terrifically rotten breath. I don’t want him breathing his longest breath on me, no sir.
Then I was thinking about how much my hips hurt sitting in this position. Can I move without disturbing others? Can I open my eyes? Does anyone else have their eyes open? Does anyone else’s hips hurt? Maybe I’m losing feeling in my toes. Fidget, fidget, fidget. How long are we going to do this? So you can see I need meditation… but this just wasn’t the class for me.
But wait… that’s not all. The instructor (guide?) said, oh I forgot to tell you newbies that you’re really not supposed to move around during meditation (which was probably a comment directed at me – oh well). One woman (also a newbie) asked a question about what she’s supposed to feel during meditation. This started us down a path to the most convoluted, frustrating answer I’ve ever heard to any question asked. Then he starting talking about the eightfold path of meditation – and I really want to hear this – but the incredibly slow and monotone delivery was driving me bananas! The Right Concentration… wait, what were you saying? (Again, yes, I need meditation.)
So maybe it’s just me… but this didn’t feel like the right environment for me. Others may have a different experience and there appeared to be several regulars in the crowd. I don’t want to discourage anyone from giving this a whirl but I’m going to keep looking around. ~sigh~

Since I got my one year anniversary email from Chaturanga a few weeks ago, I guess it’s time for an update. While I started with pilates at Chaturanga, I’ve since added yoga to my practice and I am so very happy with that decision. As with any studio, each instructor has their own style and approach but a large part of the fun is figuring out what works for you. What works for me is a space where instructors are concerned about my safety while still pushing me to, as one instructor put it, «tiptoe to your edge and peek over». Chaturanga is that space for me.
All of the classes are amazing but here are some pro-​tips. Emily’s classes are very popular and as such get full pretty quickly. Not like some places I’ve been where you’re falling over people, but pretty full. Kelly’s Sunday Anusara class is a great space with a smaller class to focus on proper alignment and positioning. Kenya’s Sunday class is good, hard work. She’s great at helping you find that balance between «tiptoeing to your edge» and resting on easy. Keom’s Friday class is a great class for all levels. At least as I’m writing this, it’s a smaller class and he’s really good at giving one on one attention and adjustments. He also will make sure that you are properly aligned as you move through the class. I’ve only had her as a sub once, but it made me wish I could adjust me schedule to make her classes. Absolutely wonderful. Such a calming presence and made sure to check on students and help us make adjustments; while wearing a cast.
All of that said, I really don’t think it’s possible to stumble into a bad class. I get the impression that Marylee takes a lot of time and care in selecting the instructors and staff at Chaturanga and it definitely shows.

I love Chaturanga. Moving back to Chicago last January I knew I wanted to find a samba or Brazilian dance class. I did my online research, but finally had to resign myself to the fact that there weren’t going to be any Brazilian dance classes near Hyde Park where I live. Just as I had given up all hope I spotted a flyer for Chaturanga… and what did it say??? BRAZILIAN CARDIO DANCE!!! Just what the doctor ordered… And now I can’t miss a class!

It’s nice to have a really great studio in your neighborhood. Really, it’s beyond nice, it’s super! Chaturanga is not just a place where I get my couple times a week yoga fix, but it’s a community. I feel supported there in my practice, and I feel like I have definitely become more mindful of my practice there.
Lani’s Saturday morning class is one word – AMAZING. You should try it. If you live in Hyde Park, you should make your way there one Saturday morning and see if you don’t feel a little bit better about yourself and the world when you leave. And, Meagan’s zumba class on Thursday is just fun. Shake your bootty like you’re at the club fun.
Try the studio out, and see if you’re not hooked. I was…

Chaturanga is Hyde Park’s best kept secret but it should be on everyone’s list of places to visit to nurture your mind, body and spirit. There is no better place for Yoga, Pilates, Dance & Meditation in all of Chicago. I have been practicing Yoga & Pilates for over 12 years and the teachers, the space and the community at Chaturanga are top notch. Don’t wait, try a class and you will keep coming back!

This is a wonderful place. Come and find your peace here.
The instructors and owners are very knowledgeable and great.
It feels like personal attention every time go.
Love it here.

LOVE IT!!!
Every time I have come home to visit Hyde Park since moving 5 years ago, my yoga practice has suffered. Traveling up north for yoga is always on the agenda, but it’s such a trek. How wonderful it is to come home and have found this amazing studio right here.
Aya Nikole Cook is wonderful, in one class I learned more than I might normally pick up in classes over the course of months. Aya’s lovely gentle nature combined with skill and precision makes for a great class.
I do hope Hyde Parkers will (as it seems they are!) find this lovely studio and support it. So glad we are blessed with this yoga and dance (and more) studio!