Central Street Yoga

So one day I decided to give yoga a try, made a quick google search in my area and luckily enough found Central street yoga and Shana. I liked my first class. I was surprised how my body moved. It was a very positive experience. And, it's been more than 2 years now. I'm growing and learning everyday with Shana. No two classes have been same. Every class is a delightful surprise. Cannot be more thankful for the amazing, friendly and supportive community of yogis practising here and the guru herself. Give it a try. It'll be worth it.

I was really excited to check out this yoga studio - I arrived early to get all of the necessary paperwork in order. I went up to Shana, the owner, to shake her hand. She limply and reluctantly offered her hand and told me that I had messed up and should have pre-registered for the class ("Don't you read our newsletter?") and wouldn't be allowed into the class.

Instead of kindly letting me know that the class was full and asking me to return to another class which wasn't full, she wanted to make sure I understood that i was one who messed up, not her. She let me know that she had opened the class to "free registration." Well, when I looked up the class a few days prior, I was required to buy a pack of classes in order to be able to register so I instead opted to "drop-in" and pay in cash, an option listed on the website. Shana needs to learn to manage these interactions better in order to not alienate potential customers who don't understand her system. I will never return to this studio and frankly hope it goes out of business to be replaced by a more customer-friendly business.

After a neighbor recommended Central Street Yoga, I decided to give it a try in mid June of 2018. It is now October 6th, and I am attending class 3, 4 and sometimes 5 times a week! As a musician and educator, I see Shana Stitzel as an artist, similar to a jazz musician, improvising in time as she expertly leads students through the poses. Her direction is clear and precise as is her pacing yet each class is unique, requiring the student to be present and fully focused.

I've never seen the class size exceed 11 and in the morning, there are often just 3-4 students! As a newbie to yoga back in June, I've seen improvement in my strength, balance, breath capacity and flexibility which in turn encourages me to stay committed! In regard to age, this studio is host to students ranging from High School through Retirees with attendance by both men and women.

Street Parking is available nearby so no worries about parking hassles. If you are looking for a great studio, which nurtures a peaceful, nurturing and accepting environment, Central Street Yoga is the place for you! Janet

Central Street Yoga is one of the jewels of Evanston. In each class, Shana has an amazing way of intuiting what each person's body needs that day and teaches accordingly. No class is ever the same and I've noticed some real changes in my own body over the past nine months that I've been coming here. I definitely recommend checking out this warm, supportive, very peaceful yoga studio.

I've been doing yoga for 15 years in studios all over the world and Shana is one of the best teachers I've had. She knows physiology very well and is creative, so her practice is perfectly tailored to who's in the room. I always leave feeling lighter/better and like I got my butt kicked. I competed seriously in athletics and she has the same keen sense for bodies as physical therapists, but can also give you a hard workout that's fun and makes you feel good while it's happening.

I started going to her class on my Christmas break and I can't wait to come back again the next time I'm in town. Plus she's very nice and welcoming! She would be a great teacher for someone just getting into yoga. And part of her brilliance is that she could teach a class with a beginner and someone with 15 years experience and you would both have a great time/workout.

Central Street Yoga is a friendly, welcoming and calming space in which to practice yoga. The class offerings are a nice mix of styles and pace so that students of any level will find something to fit their practice. Shana Stitzel, the owner, has created a studio that has become a jewel nestled within the north Evanston community. I love the variety of workshops on offer in addition to the regular weekly schedule.

And I'm a huge fan of the Friday night restorative class with is a fantastic way to end the work week. Be sure to check out the special packages available that give you discount pricing for multiple visits. Great for students who want to try out a variety of classes.

My husband and I have been attending CSY for about 8 months now and have found such comfort in being in the studio. The first time I attended a class, everyone introduced themselves and inquired about me and my practice and Shana welcomed me with warmth and compassion. Since then, we have both grown in our practice spiritually and physically. Shana pushes her students to think not only about getting into the poses, but most importantly, why we are in the poses and what parts of our bodies we are working.

This was the missing piece in my other yoga experiences-growth. On a personal level, I thought I lost my wedding band in the studio (it has since been found) and texted Shana at 9pm and she left home to go to the studio and search for it! I was so grateful for her and this is just one example of her compassion for her students. If you are searching for a warm, inviting, non-intimidating studio to settle into, this is it!

I first started going to Central Street Yoga as part of my 2017 New Year's resolution to find a way to be more mindful, I was working a stressful job and needed some balance. I can honestly say that Shana and the community at Central Street yoga have changed my life. I have since switched jobs, practice regular self-care(yoga), take time to enjoy my family, and I am happy!

The studio is cozy and mindfully decorated with a calm, peaceful ambience. There is always a lingering smell of essential oils, and my favorite part are all the plants in the window box. In a practice where you are always reminded to breathe deep, I appreciate the ample supply of fresh oxygen. The class sizes are intentionally small so that each student can receive individualized attention. Shana's style is supportive and intuitive, defined by creative flows and deep knowledge of the body and alignment.

She is able to translate the practice to students in a clear, exciting, and infectious way, giving us the confidence to try new things. Her classes are challenging, spiritual, inspirational and addicting. I always leave feeling much better than when I walked in the door, I am so grateful to be a part of this yoga community.

Central Street Yoga is one of my favorite home away from homes. It is beautiful and peaceful from the moment you walk in. It feels more like a sanctuary for yoga, growth and inner peace than your typical yoga studio. Shana, the owner has created an environment for students to grow their practice and spirituality. The community of central street yoga is a variety of dedicated yogis from college students to grandparents and Shana can teach to all levels at the same time, still addressing the individual needs of each student.

Her care is genuine. Her classes are nurturing and challenging at the same time. She has a kind and therapeutic approach in her teaching style which is very unique. I followed her as a student in the city before she opened the studio in Evanston and her non-judge mental views and consistent encouragement of growth has taken my yoga practice to an entirely new level.

She makes it easy to take yoga beyond the mat and into daily life for home practice and a positive attitude. I am grateful for Shana and the yoga sanctuary known as Central Street Yoga. The community is just aw welcoming. Everybody is genuine, real, welcoming and nice. I look forward to going here each and every time.

While visiting from San Francisco, I was happy to take a yoga class, yet shockingly disheartened by Shana's treatment of me. I've never been so horribly treated by any business owner. Ever. At yoga of all places?!? I arrived early to figure a log in issue, so I could sign up online. I had not been able to log into my account after attempting several times at home and also there.

In front of the class she stated that there was something wrong with me, and not the computer. I'm tech savvy, it was the archaic website. Simply put -- I was there for yoga, not to be berated. Central Street Yoga is not a place to practice yoga if the owner does not care about exercising kindness to those who support her business, or anyone for that matter.

This attitude exemplifies everything yoga is not. Unless she's in a good mood or likes you, her mission below is not in practice. Kindness wins every time. The world gets better when these small things are handled with grace, not hostility. Namaste. "Our mission is to provide an environment for you to explore inner peace, creative expression, and to cultivate a deeper sense of you through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness."

I started practicing yoga here as a total newbie! After graduating from Northwestern, I desperately needed a stable environment in which I might rediscover myself. Shana and her staff empowered me in all possible ways. Years of practicing my clarinet for many hours per day had taken a big toll on my body, and they helped me to identify and strengthen the weaker areas. Shana's integrated approach, involving meditation, essential oils, light music, and community, makes for an incredibly valuable and rare experience. I really cannot recommend this studio enough, and will hold gratitude for CSY always.

This place was special - Shana has a personal approach with the students and she truly cares and pampers. Her class and studio was so outstanding that after I moved to Houston, I am unable to find anything close.

I entered this studio as a visitor passing through from DC. I was warmly welcomed by both Shana and the students, and instantly felt at ease. The class was really incredible. Shana really gave us time to focus on trouble areas, breathe through stretches without racing to the next one, and focus on the tiny changes and movements in postures that help you improve them. Shana has a wonderfully calming presence, and the class itself was so restorative. It's too bad I don't live here!

Shana is such an incredible yoga teacher. I am pretty new to yoga and even when the class has 20 people in it, I still feel like she's giving me as much attention as she is to everyone else. She is constantly reminding us to just breathe and not push or force anything, which oddly enough is a wake up call every time she says it. Funny how easy it is to forget to breathe.

Her classes are very peaceful, and although they will work up to some pretty challenging things in the middle of class, they always well balanced and well sequenced. I feel like I am doing way more than just stretching and building strength. It feels like we are working with some kind of universal guru for peace and creativity with Shana. I don't see how she is able to care for so many people at once, but it really seems like everyone feels her support and attention in every class. I can't wait to take classes at her brand new studio!

This review is for Shana, who is my favorite yoga instructor of all time. And I am not just saying that. I have been doing yoga for almost 10 years and I've met many wonderful and dedicated instructors along the way. Among them, Shana still stands out. Shana is an incredible person, exuding positivity, kindness and high spirit. Her personality is translated through her teaching technique and approach in class.

She is vigilant of everyone, making sure that all students receive the proper guidance and encouragement. The classes are dynamic and the energy in the room is always uplifting, yet peaceful. If you are new to yoga, or a seasoned practitioner, I highly recommend you to attend a class with Shana. Your mind and body will thank you.

My husband walked into Shana's studio so locked up he could barely move. Shana worked with him through very gentle yoga, and within half an hour, there was noticeable improvement. Shana knows her trade and shares it in such a natural, nurturing way that you feel more like you just left a high dollar spa than an exercise class. If you haven't visited Central Street Yoga yet, check them out. It's still a bit of a secret, but it won't be for long.

A year ago I decided to explore Yoga but with a more meditative approach with whole body-type stretches. I only found a couple of yoga studios which offered this type of yoga. But I was attracted to Namaskar Studio and specifically Shana Marie Stitzel. I tried her Mindful and Restorative classes and this was exactly what I had been looking for. For almost a year now I have been a loyal student benefitting from her unique style where she connects with the class participants and decides what they need that day; no class is the same, as a result, which is so wonderful and beneficial.

She has now created her own yoga studio in Evanston - Central Street Yoga. Shana is an exceptional person. She has a gift, a 6th sense, for connecting with people's energy and needs --- she modifies the positions and movements according to what she feels from the class. She has such a positive energy and she connects with you in a way which makes you feel that you're special (as we really are).

As a result I looked forward to participating in her classes and have made yoga a regular part of my life. I have been enriched by her knowledge and love of yoga and helping others. She has been an integral part of my spiritual journey and I will always be indebted to her positive energy, light and love! Shana has an inner radiance and a smile that glows from deep within her heart. Yoga is the conduit through which she shares her love for others and her deep desire to help them help themselves to live healthier & happier lives.

I have a term which I use after my yoga practice with her (which she laughs at) - I tell her that I've been "Shana-ized"! I feel connected to my inner self, relaxed and at peace. Thank you Shana!

Can I just say that I have had the pleasure of practicing yoga with Shana for about two years now. My STRONG recommendation is to RUN not walk to her practice, if you can. Every class is different if you can believe:, it's restorative, challenging to the max, but in the BEST way possible. You will surprise yourself at what you are able to achieve. I'm hooked, addicted and a TOTAL devotee; in the spirit of sharing the wealth, I want you all to know and experience this WONDERFUL practitioner!

Shana is without-a-doubt one of the most hands-on, insightful, and dedicated teachers I've ever known. She always pushes me to discover something new and often unknown. This new studio will be a beacon for great things both within chicago and the greater yoga community. I'm very excited for her.