Finding Yoga Deals: One Week of Cheap Yoga in Chicago

Let’s not mince words here—yoga is expensive. And while I totally believe that it’s worth every penny, it’s still nice to get a deal here and there. So I’ve put together a week-long schedule of free or reduced-cost classes to try. It’s a great chance to experience new teachers and save some change.  (Some of these studios have more than one free day—so check out their websites for more info.)

Monday: Check out this gorgeous studio in Roger’s Park to start off your cheap week! Imagine Yoga Studio hosts a level 2 pay-what-you-can class on Mondays. 6-7.15pm.

Tuesday: Hit up Moksha’s cool space in Logan Square for a Karma Class. It’s only $7, and you get some of the best teaching in town. 4.00-5.30pm.

Wednesday: Head over to YogaNow and enjoy their excellent Donation Yoga class. It’s conveniently timed to drop by right after work, and they ask yogis to pay what you can. So if it’s $5 or $10, they’ll take it! 6.30-7.30pm.

Thursday: Take a ride on the blue line into funky Wicker Park, and enjoy Nature’s Donation yoga class. When you’re done, drop into Adobo for a killer margarita. (What? You earned it!)  4-5.15pm.

Friday: Zip up to Lakeview and give Namaskar Yoga’s sliding scale class a try.  Perfect timing for a quick class before a fun Friday night. 6.10-7.30pm.

Saturday: Options abound here, so I just picked my favorite free class option.  YogaView’s Elston location hosts an incredible community class. These are usually taught by their Teacher Training alum, so they’re pretty fab. 2-3.15pm.

Sunday: If you haven’t tried Kundalini yoga, this is your shot. Spirit Rising Yoga hosts a community Kundalini class from 5-6pm.

Teacher Feature: Sara Strother

I spent a while today thinking about how to explain what makes Sara Strother’s class so interesting.  I’ve practiced in her classes for (gulp) nearly five years now, and I always find myself leaving feeling light and refreshed. But it’s tough to convey exactly what makes her such a great teacher. 

First thing’s first—she’s a pistol. She has the class laughing throughout the practice—and not just a little contented sigh here and there. I’m talking belly laughs.  Second, she’s smart. She’s Anusara certified, which is a big, big deal. Practicing with her, you know she’s completely prepared to walk you through any asana, answer questions, and help with creative and appropriate modifications. And third, she exudes a confidence that lets you know that she’s got everything under control—and also, that she trusts you to give that scary posture a shot.   

In my last practice with Sara, she focused on using asymmetrical poses to find the center—or more generally, to focus on difference as a path towards unity.  And even though she had me in and out of some very challenging asymmetrical postures, I wasn't exhausted after the 90 minutes.  I left her class feeling invigorated and excited and grounded. Her mix of heating and cooling postures made the class accessible, and her sequence was engaging and continually reinforced her lesson about unity.

If you’re in Chicago, hit up her website to check out her schedule and make it a priority to catch one of her classes. If you’re not in the windy city, no sweat; Sara has two awesome videos on yogavibes that you can download and do anywhere. (If you look closely, you may spot yours truly in there!)

Catch her while you can—this girl’s going somewhere. And it’s going to be good.

Spring Wellness Center: $20 for 1 Week of Unlimited Yoga and Yoga/Pilates Fusion Classes!

This Lakeview studio offers a variety of yoga classes to students of all levels. Spring offers heated and non-heated classes, as well as classes focused on core, detox, and strength.  Check the website to browse the schedule.

Coming from someone who knows this studio well (cough, cough, I teach yoga here), this place is a cozy, welcoming, and friendly place to hit the mat. (Plus, free snacks. ‘Nuff said.)

In addition to the unlimited week, Spring also offers $5 classes for a first-time visit, and any time you introduce a friend to the studio, you both get in for $5!

1350 Newport W. Newport #2

Chicago, IL 60657

Southport stop on Brown Line 

(Across from the candy shop on Southport and Newport. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.)

Sustainable Options: Fish

And, we’re off! I want to thank everyone for visiting TheStickyMat, and helping to get this thing rolling.

I’ve gotten tons of feedback--especially about how to effectively and sustainably utilize seafood in your diet.  One of the best tips I received was to check out the Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch site. (This officially supersedes the bad memories I have of the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, where I survived what had to have been the worst date in history. Who wants to talk about death while staring listlessly at jellyfish for 20 min? Anyone? But I digress…)  This handy site will take the anxiety out of ordering sushi, and also links to some awesome looking recipes.

You can even download a slightly nerd-alertish PDF to keep in your wallet that tells you what fish is good to buy in your area. I’ve included part the PDF for the Midwest here (click to enlarge), but check out the site for your region. 

Dry Skin and Hair? Try 10 Minute Braised Swordfish with Tomatoes

One of the things I love most about yoga is learning that each asana has a purpose.
Every yoga posture works a specific group of muscles, or helps to detoxify a specific
area, or helps focus the mind. In the same way, I love learning about how the foods
I eat can serve a specific purpose in my life. And since I live in Chicago, a city with
harsh winds and frigid winters, I try to eat foods that will help salvage my skin from
the brutal winter season.

Swordfish is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are a godsend for people
with dry skin, frizzy winter hair, and brittle nails. Pair this dish with steamed
spinach and brown rice for the perfect post-yoga meal. If you're worried about mercury levels in swordfish, feel free to substitute cod in its place.

4 Swordfish steaks
3 ripe tomatoes
2 tablespoons dried oregano
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
pinch red pepper flakes
1/3 cup olive oil
salt
pepper

You won’t believe how simple this is—or how quickly it can be prepared.

Salt and pepper both sides of swordfish steaks liberally.

Slice tomatoes into ¼ inch slices and line the bottom of a large sauce pan. Feel free to
layer. Sprinkle oregano, minced garlic, and pepper flakes over the tomatoes. Add a
pinch of salt and pepper. Place swordfish steaks over the tomatoes (they can touch
each other, but don’t stack them. There should be enough room in the pan for them to be in a single layer). Pour olive oil over the fish. Pop it onto the burner and turn heat to high and wait till you hear the oil start to sizzle. Then reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Pour a glass of wine and debate doing the dishes. After 8-10 minutes, remove swordfish from the pot. Turn heat to high, and reduce the tomato sauce mixture for 2 minutes. Serve the sauce over the fish.


Adapted from Rozanne Gold’s Radically Simple

Asana Source: Bakasana

Ah, bakasana. You were my first arm balance. And I have to admit, you scared the crap out of me. During my first yoga class, I remember thinking "you want me to put my knees where and balance on what?" But here we are, all these years later, and I sort of love you.

If you've never tried it out, here's your shot.  Before getting started, remember two things: Look forward, and press your palms as flat as you can get them. Simple enough, right?

1. Stand in tadasana. Step your feet slightly wider than hips’ width and turn your toes slightly out to the sides.
2. Drop into a squat. Don’t worry if your heels pop up. It doesn’t matter.
3. Let your knees wing out to the sides and reach your arms as far forward as
   you can. Let your head drop and feel the stretch from the crown of your head
   through to your tail bone.
4. Enjoy!
5. Lift your gaze, and bring the palms together. Draw the thumbs into your
   sternum, and as you do so, make a firm connection between your upper arms and
   your upper shins.
6.  Keep this shin-arm connection as you release your hands down onto the mat,
   shoulder distance apart. Flatten the palms.
7. Rock slightly forward as you come up to your tip toes. Look forward. Maybe
   chill here, or see if you can’t lift a toe or two up. MAYBE pick all toes up off
   the ground and balance on your hands.
8. Bring big toes to touch, and gaze forward. Remember to breathe.
9. Take a break. Smile. Repeat.

Everyone teaches this posture differently, and that’s one of the wonderful aspects of
yoga. You can do this with your knees in your armpits, or you can start with your feet together. If this posture is old hat to you, feel free to spice it up by straightening the elbows, or trying to jump back into chatturanga dandasana. Or hell, pop up into a tripod headstand. The possibilities are limitless!

Welcome!

Hello friends, and welcome to The Sticky Mat! My hope is that this blog will become
a resource for readers to learn about yoga, find new, great teachers, and get
great yoga deals. Thank you to all of my friends and yoga colleagues who helped
make this blog come to life!