Core Power Yoga opened in La Grange at 1 E Burlington Ave, La Grange, IL 60525 in late August and has seen a surge of residents in the area who have made the switch from their Hinsdale location due to proximity. Every member at the yoga studio has made the commitment to increase their overall flexibility and core strength while reducing stress in a positive and friendly environment.

Now I am in no way, shape or form a flexible guy or a yoga buff. However, I can honestly say that after just one session I see how people can get hooked on the euphoria and inner peace you experience during a workout. The room was heated to a toasty 90 degrees for my Core Power 1 beginners course I took. They also offer more intense sessions for the more experienced yoga-ite (I believe that’s the correct nomenclature) such as the Core Power 2 or Hot Fusion courses, where the studio is heated to 101 degrees with a 40 percent humidity level and includes a more difficult series of moves.

Seeing as how awful those two courses sounded and descriptions from other members I spoke to who used the words “hell” and “inability to walk,” I was glad I chose the beginner’s course. My instructor, Nosa, gave me a tour of the entire studio prior to the workout. The studio includes both men’s and women’s locker rooms, four separate yoga studios and a shop where you can purchase workout gear and yoga mats. They also have towels and mats that you can rent as well as water available for purchase, because if you don’t bring any you are bound to pass out (or at least I would have).

We started our session with some deep breathing exercises to ensure we had a proper breathing pattern for the rest of the time. We then began some simple beginner poses with in-depth instruction that facilitated finding the right form. Throughout the session, the instructor walked around the room to make sure that everyone was comfortable and aided any of us with our form if we needed it. At one point, I felt that he was a little too close for comfort, but he did help me achieve the proper stretch in downward dog.

Next, we moved to a few slightly more difficult positions that provided an intense stretch for long periods of time. We were given breaks periodically to make sure not to strain any muscle group to the point of exhaustion. We incorporated crunches and other abdominal exercises closer to the end, and afterwards we were told to lay down in the darkened room while the instructor came around and placed a moist lemon lavender toilette on our foreheads (magical).

All in all, I had a very good experience. The staff was kind, the studio was clean and I felt like a new man after it was all over. The rate for the first month is $88, and everyone is entitled to a free one-week session to see if yoga is right for them. If you get the chance give it a try; I highly recommend it.