With all of the hustle and bustle downtown, Chill Chicago, is a breath of fresh air. Located in River North, Chill Chicago offers guided meditation classes. chair massages and a zen space to unplug. The studio aims to be a place where people can slow down and restore balance to their lives.
“I think there is a push to make meditation more accessible and bring it to the world in a better way, where more people can access it,” says Claire Mark, meditation instructor, and co-founder.
Check out this 60-second video to see inside Chill Chicago and hear from the co-founder:
Getting Started with Meditation at Chill Chicago
What to Expect
The studio boasts two meditation spaces for group sessions, private instruction, and solo meditation. You’ll find clean, minimalistic design throughout the space – with only cushions, mats, and blankets in the meditation rooms. Most group classes last 30 minutes. Once you are seated on a cushion, a guide will welcome you, invite you to close your eyes and follow the instructions. The session may involve breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and positive thinking. The instructors make themselves available to answer any questions after class.
What to Wear
Some people at Chill Chicago meditate in business attire, while others do so in athletic clothes. It really doesn’t matter what you wear. The important thing is to be comfortable. The gray meditation outfit pictured below is courtesy of Meeka Meditation. Chicago native, Amelia Miller, created the fashion line.
Cost
A single meditation session cost $22, and an unlimited monthly membership is $150. Chill Chicago also offers chair massages and products such as candles, books, and lotion.
Benefits of Meditation
Research about the benefits of meditation is fueling a movement for mindfulness. Benefits of meditation include:
- Stress reduction
- Better sleep
- Improved concentration
- Clearer thinking
- Increased happiness
“We can all get so caught up in dreaming about things for the future or replaying things that happened in the past. Being able to shift away from some of that and being happy with what is, is a huge benefit,” says Mark.
What’s with the Pose?
Watch the video clip to listen to Mark explain a popular posture for meditation.
Guided Meditation at Home
If you don’t live or work near Chill Chicago, you can practice meditation on your own. There are several apps you can download, such as Insight Timer, where you’ll find audio tracks from popular meditation teachers such as Tara Brach.
“Even five minutes every morning is great,” says Mark. She recommends meditation at the same time, in the same place for at least 21 days to form a habit.
To visit Chill Chicago's website, click here.
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Video created by Lizzy Fay with assistance from Lisa Ancilleri.
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