CorePower Yoga - South Loop — Local services in West Chicago Township

5/5!? 10/10!!!! I'm just going to copy and paste what I sent them directly as feedback. I just thought it wasn't enough and needed to share, just incase if someone was on the fence of trying it out! To whomever it may concern:

My name is Larissa Ramirez, and I just wanted to say that I have had the best experience in COREPOWER Hot Yoga classes this past week. There is something special about every inch of your body sweating at the end of the day. Being a functional adult-means that there are various stressors throughout the day that one encounters. Just wanted to say that it had been so magical to be able to reflect and be so vulnerable in a place that is the complete opposite of pretentious. The guidance received from ALL of the different instructors was just so welcoming. Literally left every session/practice like insert in the feels big eyed emoji. I signed up for the free trial week, and used it 3x! One session was not enough! That’s how amazing that was. I now don't see myself not doing it. Wish it was a little more practical on the $ end, but I want to think that if I do this- it will be an investment in me, because I have left every practice a better human. (Meaning–patient, less irritated, calm- as a person who has dealt with trauma and has chronic anxiety and depression, my happiness is directly tied to my sense of safety and belonging). THANK YOU for providing a space that brings me just that. Is it too much to say that I love you all at the south loop location?

With immense...

This is about South Loop. For full disclosure, I am regular there, although not necessarily because I the place. Here are the key pros and cons: Pros Nice location - great view of downtown (depending on the particular studio) and getting in and out is easy. Superb parking - never had a problem. Easy check in - they give you a card which makes it quick and smooth. Clean facility. Reasonable price at about $10+ per 60-minute class. Cons High variance of instruction. You could be doing the same intended session (say Hot Power Fusion) and get a totally different workout. The reasons for this are clear and are as follows:

1. The instructors are not required to be rigorous yogis themselves. Not being well-versed in the practice cannot make you a good instructor (no matter how noble the intention).
2. The instructors are allowed too much flexibility and they in turn introduce too much variation into the routine.
3. One pet peeve of mine – sometimes this variation may be a too long hippy introduction (so we end up standing there for more than five minutes while the instructor prattles on about his/her latest diurnal epiphany).
4. Temperature variations are high with the room generally not being hot enough for an effective hot yoga session. Conclusion: If you want anything better than a half decent workout go to CorePower (which is why I go). But if you are in the mood for some serious rigorous yoga try elsewhere...

I used to (~6 years ago) attend CorePower classes all over Chicago and loved them. Maybe things have changed? This review is only for Chris’ Friday 9:30am CP2 class. But I’d call it a CP.5 class, as that is the level of challenge offered. First things first though. Why was the classroom door open wide to the lobby until the start of class? Two issues with that. No heat built up in the room. And there was no zen either, since the lobby was very loud at that time. But back to the actual class. If you are looking to stretch in poses usually flowed through in a vinyasa sequence (and oddly, perform other athletic stretches), this is the class for you. If you’d actually like to flow,...