Moksha Yoga Center

Daren gives expert instruction and guides his classes well using a mix of authentic yoga modalities. His creative and complex sequences challenge even the more advanced practitioners - not only with achieving poses, but approaching postures with purpose and intent.

Belated review, as I went there in summer 2021. I found Moksha janky and inconsistent. It's confusing to enter, especially as the front desk isn't always manned. I learned the code to get in through word of mouth. You just show up for classes, which is not made clear on their website. I am not sure how they keep track of their Groupon members. My first class was lovely but went over time by about 20 minutes.

My friend's first class included teacher training folks, so she found it overly educational and it went over by 40+ minutes. For my second class, the instructor never showed. I've heard this is a pattern. I'm all for shoe-string budget, community yoga places, but this place was just poorly run.

Horrendous management. Teachers are rarely certified, if even trained. Also show up late, high, and are unprofessional. Not trauma-aware, and the studio is mired in decades of assault allegations. Teacher training is overpriced, not delivered on time, then charged even if it closes down. The owner has at least 6 assault allegations against him, most of them students. Do yourself a favor, go somewhere else for yoga. Honestly, there are a lot of yoga studios in chicago. Do yourself a favor and pick any other one.

This yoga studio has such a comforting vibe. Every single class I have attended had a great instructor. I have never been disappointed at Moksha. The owner is really wonderful and leads an amazing class as well. Very caring and supportive atmosphere.

My experience with Moksha Yoga Center has been transcendent. I am most grateful to have found a studio that teaches the importance of the mind and body connection. My practice has developed an entirely new meaning with the help and guidance of its many insightful instructors. I look forward to continuing my practice at Moksha and developing a greater awareness of self

Moksha is an amazing studio! I attended a vinyasa class by Ashley and it was challenging yet relaxing. She even gave hands-on adjustments and an essential oil "massage" in savasana. I like that Moksha teachers incorporate breathwork in addition to physical poses. I highly recommend Moksha if you frequent Chicago.

After taking class at several studios in Chicago and the suburbs, when I found Moksha a new it would remain my home studio. The teachers are compassionate and well-trained, the studio is clean, roomy and beautiful, and I immediately feel the positive energy when I arrive. I love that each teacher has a distinctive style and that Moksha recently added virtual classes! I highly recommend taking class here, especially from the owner Daren who teaches challenging and unique classes!

BEST YOGA STUDIO EVER! I can't say enough good things about this studio. It's so amazing here from the energy, to the people, the teachers and the classes. All of it exceeds expectations and you just get that feeling of ease when you walk through the door. I was at a yoga retreat in California and after an amazing class one day with a highly respected teacher, he asked where we were all from and he could tell us the best studio to practice at in the city each of us lived.

When I said Chicago he said MOKSHA! Daren is the best. I laughed cuz turns out I was already a student there. Just another sign to show me I was on the right path. Shortly after I started yoga TT there. Daren is one of the best teachers that I've met. I wasn't sure what to expect from teacher training. But I can tell you I got and am getting way more than I bargained for.

There is so much more to yoga on so many deeper levels, it's clear to me that this will be a very welcomed never ending journey and I'm only scratching the surface. I'm super grateful to Daren for his deep and extensive knowledge of yoga (the physical and spiritual) his patience, kindness, and attention to detail. Also his willingness to always show up and accommodate my crazy schedule.

He has scheduled so many make up classes for me for classes that I had to miss due to work on his own free time. Also as a certified teacher from moksha I am able to sit in on any future teacher training classes for review whenever I like. His dedication and support is limitless. I'm super grateful for Moksha, for the people and beautiful friendships as a result of being apart of this heart centered community. I'm eternally grateful for the journey.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND FOR TEACHER TRAINING! I signed up for Teacher Training class from a friends recommendation. It was awful. Zero class structure, the teacher constantly changes the requirements for the certification, he changes the workbook we learn from, and the classes are the most unproductive 6 hours a week I have ever spent in class. If I was just a yoga student paying for classes and not teacher training, I would love it.

His classes are wonderful and teachers are mostly great. But as a business it's not worth getting in the trap. He doesn't pay all his teachers, he's very lazy and takes forever to get anything done. It's been a year and a half and I've learned nothing. I spent $1200 and he's asking me to pay for more. What a scam!

From the bottom of my heart, Moksha Yoga Center is fantastic. I have been able to come and practice yoga in a safe, supportive and loving environment. Everyone here is genuinely kind and encourages challenge. No trouble with administration whatsoever. Folks behind the desk have answered all my questions about class details and rates.

The teachers are knowledgeable and welcoming. The studio itself is grounded in classical yoga and can meet the ability levels of all students, from first-timers to advanced. They offer Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, and many other styles. This is not a hot yoga studio and does not attempt to be trendy. I came here years ago after visiting many studios looking to practice "real" yoga and understand its roots.

I have been going ever since. Daren is the owner and is a great teacher with decades of experience teaching and practicing, and there is no pretension. This is a great yoga studio.

This is a divided post - between teacher Laura (AMAZING teacher, challenging and energizing classes, five GLOWING stars), and the controversial review below + the dirty floors (zero stars). we come to a 4-star rating, and honestly I have to give all my stars to Laura and Laura only.

I've been to many yoga studios around Chicago and the country. Moksha continues to be my favorite. It's real Yoga where an experience is created at the studio well beyond the physical practice. Daren is the best teacher I have ever had, and he is committed to transferring his extensive knowledge to his trainees and students. More than that, Daren is professional. I enjoy his accessible, relatable and enjoyable personality. The studio is clean and well kept.

My first impression when walking in here was a mish mash of coats and shoes everywhere, tie die, patchouli, dreadlocks, dirty floors and a bit of tude, The teacher who was said to have the class would never show uo and instead you would get a sub every time. No consistency. The vibe is way off here, not a speck of authenticity, beauty, no magic here, but they did have fuzz and hairs on the floor maybe to keep you dirty but warm during savasanah.

The Owner of this studio, Daren Friesen, sexually molested me personally along with many young males and females that he takes into his 'business' who are dependent on him in some way and want to learn yoga, and uses this psychological dependency to molest. His business is going bankrupt and two of his studios have already closed down. He has lost over 200 employees and millions of dollars.

This is a disgrace to the yoga community and his narcissism and psychopathic ego is out of control. It's a disgrace to the true teachings of yoga and those seeking real knowledge of yoga. Anyone who has ever gotten a membership here or teacher-training should call immediately and demand a refund. I feel real compassion for anyone in the yoga-teacher training who are getting there certification here because once anyone sees where the cerfitication was from all their 'credibility' or 'accreditation' while go directly down the drain in the eyes of those who know about this studio's recent history.

All you have to do is call around Chicago to the major yoga studios such as Yogaview, and ask them about the the owner and why all the teachers moved to those studios and left this studio. This individual only cares about his business and uses everyone for solely his business sake. This individual should be behind the bars. The most disgusting fact is that the name 'moksha' is suppose to mean 'freedom' in India but all this person is completely bound by his ever-increasing narcissism. Beware!

And do your reasearch! Call the other studios before going here! Ask them about the sexual harassment and why so many yoga teachers at this studio have left and gone to yoga-view, etc.! BEWARE!

Highly Recommended! My Yoga home for years and helped me tremendously! Yoga in the most authentic forms of Asana while also dealing with the other seven limbs. Many different classes and styles for people with various levels of experience as well as many work shops and events. Amazing teachers and staff! Please check the website and take a class. It will change your life for the better! Peace and Namaste!

I found this yoga center with a google search for yoga in my area. Went there and signed up for a 5 class package. Second visit had about 20 people in a room that accommodates 15. Next 2 attempted visits were not completed because there was no parking within 4 blocks, construction all around. When I did get back there I was told my package had expired, this was not explained when I registered.

I was told I could talk to Don (think they said Don) but he wasn't there. The attitude of the lady behind the desk was not spiritually inviting. Not a welcoming place for me.

My first practice at this studio yesterday was great all around. Behind the desk everyone was so friendly and inviting, and Laura delivered a great candlelight class that was on point both spiritually and physically. The owner Daren took time to chat after class and was a pleasure to talk to. Great vibes from all. I will be back.

I full-joy this classical yoga studio which offers a variety of class types. The teachers here are fantastic, and the space has such good energy! Moksha also has a teacher training program which has spawned many of the excellent teachers you find throughout the Chicago yoga scene. Moksha's India retreats are top notch, balancing the serene Indian beaches and temples with power purifying practices of yoga and Ayurveda.

Amazing place to practice! This studio offers much more than it's "yoga for weight loss" counterparts. You can get that as well as a classical approach to the history and philosophy of yoga! Some of the best and most authentic yoga around!

This place is horrible! I had a membership and while the classes and teachers were great, since I've cancelled my membership I've continued to be charged. There has been little to no communication from the center to reverse the charges and prevent this from happening again. There's no communication through the organization or sense of urgency. Do not give this place your money!

The studio's staff are very friendly which was awesome to see from the start! I attended a writing/yoga event and I was actually the only student in it! The instructor still held class which I appreciated so much because I drove 40 minutes for the class. She personalized it with me since she could, and she was super nice and smiley. The class was a vinyasa class, and it was really enjoyable!

It was a 2 hour class where a little less than half was spent writing. I've never done anything like it :. They also sold special incense which I had been wanting, so that was exciting. All in all, great studio and staff!

Red head at the desk gave a "wtf" look and was unfriendly. Other clients seemed pretentious and unfriendly. Not comfortable with this place. My first impression was not good folks. First impression really break the deal

Okay. I wanted more of an eastern practice. It could of been the instructor but I expected a better experience

Ok so I'm in love with this studio. If I could drive the hour and 15 minutes to go every day to moksha I would. This is my favorite location. Tristan was the beginners class instructor and he was amazing, soft spoken and wonderful.gave very basic instructions and was patient. The energy in the place is fantastic.

Moksha Yoga Center became my yoga home on a whim (I googled!) and has stayed my yoga home by choice. I completed my 200hr teacher training at Moksha Yoga Center and am currently pursuing my 500hr certification there as well. If you're thinking about teaching or thinking about refining your teaching, this is the place to come. Owner, Daren Friesen is a true teacher's teacher and is always surprising me by sharing more and more knowledge about this practice and the art of sharing it with others.

Aside from teacher trainings, Moksha brings some of the best teachers to the studio from across the country offering the Moksha community a wide variety of in depth workshops to choose from year round. As a practitioner, I expect that Moksha resident teachers will be impeccably trained, articulate, creative and caring. And they are. I may sound biased because I've done so many trainings at Moksha, but I assure you that I would not keep coming back and I would not be singing its praises if Moksha did not live up to expectations. It is a premiere, classical yoga studio - so if you're looking for authentic yoga that extends beyond the asana (physical postures) then this is your place.

This studio has become like a second home for me since the beginning of the year, when I started my 500-hour teacher training through Moksha. The teacher training program here is second to none, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get a comprehensive and well-rounded education in the ancient craft of yoga. The studio spaces are clean and stocked with plentiful props, the staff is friendly and accommodating, teachers are knowledgeable and supportive, and the whole vibe here is 100 percent authentic and real.

The biggest thing that sets Moksha apart in my mind is the community. From the students to the teachers to the people working behind the scenes to ensure operations run smoothly, people at Moksha really live their yoga practice off the mat, going out of their way to welcome new students and support the growth of fellow community members. The quality of the community and level of personal connection you get at Moksha is truly exceptional and noteworthy.

I'm so very happy Moksha opened a new studio in my neighborhood. I liked the Carpenter location, but could never find a class that fit my schedule. The after work classes were either too early or too late. This new studio, however, has a totally Renee-friendly (as I'm sure they planned it.) schedule. Happiness! So, I checked out a Tantric Vinyasa class last night, which I really enjoyed.

The new studio feels brand spanking new with 2 nice changing rooms and showers and larger bathrooms in the hallway. I didn't get a chance to check out the other studio, but the one I was in was fairly small, still nice though. Class size was really small, but it was nice to get individual adjustments. I'm sure in a few weeks, I'll be scrounging for mat space.

There were a few small glitches with the buzzer downstairs not working, but I'm sure that won't be a problem for long. The sound of the train going by during savasana was a little distracting, but I guess that's what yoga's all about.tuning out those distractions.