CorePower Yoga - Uptown Chicago — Attraction in Lake View Township

I went to the Uptown Yoga Studio in Chicago tonight to start my free week hoping I would love it!

Just a little about myself, I've been training in Yoga for years, and during the last 2, I've been training in pole fitness, movement, and contortion at the Chicago Academy of Pole and Dance where I had a $300 unlimited membership. I was a loyal client at CAPD, but they suddenly closed about two months ago. I became what my friends and I call a 'pole orphan.' I started looking for pole studio options but have not found one that meets my needs. Then, I saw Core Power Yoga studio close to home. I was so excited about seeing a studio that could become my niche once again!

It took me about a week to actually go to the studio. Long-story-short, I'm a doctoral student in clinical psychology. I'm originally from Puerto Rico where, as you may know, there's a humanitarian crisis after Hurricane Maria. My mom and nephew had to come last minute and stay with me at my small student hoping to at least be safe and have their basic needs met. After they arrived in Chicago, my mom became extremely sick, and I've spent all this week at the hospital. Finally, today I had some time at night to do some self-care and start my regular schedule of self-care because I love it but also because I need it. My nephew, who is 12, is staying with me, so he has to go everywhere I go as he is a minor. When I've been to other studios, it's never been a problem when others or myself have had guests or kids who have to wait in a lobby or waiting area, etc. To my surprise, this was a problem at the CPY studio. The staff told me that they couldn't do anything but that my nephew either go to Target and wait (again, he's 12) or I would just have to go. Three staff members were trying to explain to me (all talking at the same time) why they could not do anything for me (e.g., an exception) and have him quietly waiting at the waiting area watching his tablet using headphones. I really felt that they didn't care and that we were not welcome. I'm so disappointed because I really wanted this site to become my home studio.

I guess my expectations were too high. You see, when you have a studio in an ethnically and racially diverse community such as Uptown, you HAVE to culturally-tailor the services you provide so you could respond to the needs of people in your community. I've come to realize now that this studio may not be at Uptown to target Uptown's diverse population but just certain individuals from the community. Those may be privileged enough to have money to pay a nanny or not have family members who are refugees of one of the worst severe political, financial, humanitarian crisis of our times.

But you know what? It is your loss. You lost a loyal client and a good student. I hope you revise the studio policies to serve the community better and respond to ALL Uptown neighbors' needs. I know you'll do your best to keep yoga values aligned with...

I love this studio for so many reasons and I’ve been going to CPY for 3 years now. They have a very flexible schedule for us 8-5ers, offering classes at 7pm and 8:30pm. Plenty of shoe cubbies and mats for your boots on snowy days. Three classrooms! The teachers here offer great suggestions on adjustments! The lockers and teaching rooms are well maintained. Also, I don’t feel like it’s competitive with your neighbor by any means. If you forget a lock, you can trade in your car keys or an ID.

I personally love the Monday night HPF with Kevin Mic. Sculpt on Tuesdays with Conor Mac – which can get crowded, but rightfully so, as his classes are very high energy. Or slow things down with a CoreRestore class at the end of your busy day (only at 8:30pm) to encourage muscle recovery.

BIG BONUS: free parking behind the studio. Street parking is free on Sundays.

BEWARE: There is a shoe klepto, someone took my BearPaw boots and left me her Target brand, Sonoma, shoes... so I had to be barefoot to my car, thankfully an awesome instructor drove me! Also, be careful on weekdays as they do ticket often! Bike racks are available right in front...

The music was too loud in both of the classes I tried. Also, the music was strange for yoga- Broadway music... the teachers then tried to talk over the music so it felt as if they were shouting or straining their voices to talk over the music. The floors were caked with sweat from what it looks like not being deep cleaned in some time. The bathrooms were nice.

In my second class, the teacher did not ask me if I had any injuries, which is fine since I know how to make modifications. She tried to adjust me/correct me without asking to touch me- I told her about my injury. After class she let me know it was my responsibility to let her know about my injury. In my years of being a student and an instructor it's usually the instructors responsibility, but maybe things are done different here. The teachers knew their class material. All in all from vibe, sounds and cleanliness- it's not a place I would...