Yoga By Degrees

I started attending classes here last month and am addicted! I absolutely love this place. The teachers are wonderful, the place is clean and lovely and the class schedule is fantastic. I am new to yoga and think the instructions given by the teachers are so helpful. I actually have my husband attending classes now. Love, love, love this place.

I can not say enough about how amazing the staff, teachers and classes are here! Absolutely love this place!

Love this place, it changed my life! great instructors. Love Nadja ‘s sculp class, awesome energy .Bonnie Restorative out of this world. I wish i could give you a million stars # yogaaddiction.

How have I NOT rated this place yet?!! I’ve only been going there 4 – 5 times a week for the last 5 months. Seriously, this is the crème-​dela-​crème of hot yoga. The locker rooms alone looks like a spa. Everything is super clean and high end. And the studios themselves have padded wood floors, candle lights around the parameter, and soft yogi music to you settle in for class. Honestly, this is my second home and what I would definitely call my «church» — if I had one. Totally worth the monthly cost of around $ 100/​month — and that’s coming from a total cheap ass. Favorite teachers: Bonnie, Kara, Loreta… the list goes on.

I have been coming to YBD for many years now, and as a previous Lululemon employee I’ve been to a LOT of yoga studios. So, let me tell you a little bit about YBD and why I gave them 5 stars.
First, the number of locations that you can pick from with your membership (or class pass) is fantastic. They have four locations: Wheaton, Downers Grove, Western Springs and Elmhurst. All four locations are comparable — they each have two studios, and sizeable locker rooms with shower facilities. Parking is usually easiest in Downers Grove or Elmhurst, though you can always find a couple spots at Western Springs and Wheaton as well. They both share lots with busy grocery stores, so they’re usually pretty hopping!
Classes range depending upon what you feel like — they offer Restorative, or yin, yoga in an unheated class, but the rest are all heated from 80 to 105 degrees. They also offer a Sculpt class which is a great mix of cardio and weight training along with yoga. Their level 1 and 2 classes are vinyasa flow, and are a fantastic workout! The studios are nice and dark, lit by candles, so very relaxing (and nobody can see you get all sweaty)! And at the end of each class, they bring you a lovely cool peppermint lavender cloth for your face to help you cool down, while you rest in savasana.
They have SO many wonderful instructors, which to me is the most important part of yoga! These guys are the reason that I keep coming back, and that I actually can say that I LOVE to exercise! I’m sure if you try YBD you’ll find your own favorites, but a few of mine that you can try are Lara, Colleen, Kara, Sarah P., Nadja, Heather, Shawn, Brandon, and Jenny T. They make yoga fun!
If you’re thinking of giving yoga a try, check Groupon — YBD often offers a 5 class pack for newbies. They also offer a free first week trial for newbies as well. No reason not to give it a shot — it just might change your life! :)

I loved this place! This was my first experience with doing yoga and I was very nervous to try it out.
I bought a Groupon that is $ 35 for 5 classes. When I presented the Groupon and told the woman at the desk that this was my first time doing yoga and coming to YBD and she was so welcoming and happy that I was there! After she took my Groupon and I started filling out the information sheet, she told me that I also get a free week of yoga on top of the Groupon! I was ecstatic!
Walking to the locker room I was really noticing how clean and well kept this place was. When we got to the locker rooms, there were showers, bathroom stalls, a huge mirror with blow dryers provided and a locker section which is free to use. I placed my belongings into the locker and grabbed the key, I walked back out the hallway to the studio room that I was going to be in.
Loreta, the instructor for the class, was out the door telling everyone to grab blacks and a blanket and find a spot. You walked in and you immediately felt the heat, 85 degrees for level 1. It wasn’t terrible at all but actually felt comfortable. There were already about 7 or 8 people in the studio but still plenty of room to find a place to roll my mat out.
The class itself was amazing. I was in YBD 1 85. Loreta was very helpful and so sweet. Since I have never been to yoga before I was a really new student and nervous that I was going to be judged. This is a very JUDGE FREE zone! I did not feel uncomfortable at all and I was able to learn most moves easily with her slow pace and guidance in the front of the room and with her walking around showing others the correct form. After Loreta had finished, she walked around and placed a cold refreshing towel on our foreheads, for those who wanted it.
That was my first class and I am sure it only gets better from here! I cannot wait to return to YBD and become a yogi!

I just want to share how absolutely exceptional my yoga class with Nadja has been at this studio (and the one in Downers Grove on Thursdays)! I am so impressed with the compassion, mindfulness and customer service of Yoga by Degree’s entire staff! Many of the yoga classes I’ve taken in the past have only focused on the workout, but Nadja’s is the first I’ve found to incorporate meditation, mindfulness and self-​acceptance in such a masterful, personally relevant and applicable way, and I am excited to take more classes from the rest of the teachers too! The entire staff appears to share this commitment to helping customers find their peace and inner balance, and they consistently demonstrate Yoga by Degree’s awesome culture and authentic core values. I’m a huge fan! :)

Yoga by degrees is my absolute favorite place to take yoga classes. I won’t go anywhere else since starting coming here about 6months ago. Super clean facility which is really important to me! When I’m walking around barefoot I don’t have to be afraid to step on a gross floor I love how clean this place is!
Take Laurels yoga sculpt class!!! It’s my absolute favorite and she is a great teacher! Kicks your butt!
Give it a try you will not be disappointed.

I started doing hot yoga in 2010, but can’t say I ever actually enjoyed it. It was just something I forced myself to do. Given my less than enthusiastic attitude toward yoga, I took a few years off. I recently decided to give it a go again, and ended up at Yoga By Degrees. THe first thing is that somehow, inexplicably, I actually enjoy going to yoga now, when I never did before, so they must be doing something right. Here is a list of what I think makes this a great studio.
1) The facilities are fantastic. The studio is clean and calming. The locker rooms are spa-​like and equally as clean. Shampoo, conditioner, hair ties, deodorant, hair dryers, etc. are all provided at no extra charge. They have lockers with locks at no charge! It is also a big bonus that they have showers! You would think this should be a given, considering you are doing sweaty yoga, but I have practiced at hot yoga studios in the city that don’t have showers! Because of the showers I can take an early morning class before work! Or, I can get in a shower after my afternoon/​evening classes should I have somewhere to go.
2) Everyone is friendly and helpful.
3) You can attend their other locations. My «home studio» is Elmhurst, but I have attended classes at the Western Springs location on weekends because the particular class I am interested in fits better with my schedule at this location. I like the flexibility.
4) I enjoy the classes themselves and there is good variety. The yoga sculpt is very hard and left me sore for days! I also enjoy the YBD 2 classes — the hotter the better!
I don’t have any complaints but I will say that I wish they had more 105 degree classes. YBD, if you are listening, how about a 6am 105 class, another 6pm 105 class (in addition to Friday) and some weekend morning 105’s??? I like the 105 degree heat the best, but the times that it is offered generally just don’t work very well with my schedule.

I absolutely loved Yoga By Degrees. I went five times during my free week at their Elmhurst location, and I loved every class.
My first was with Nadja, and although it was a beginner’s class (I’ve been practicing for about ten years, it was slow-​paced), it was a great beginner’s class. Nadja was very patient, detailed in direction, and compassionate.
My next class was with Lara. It was a level ²⁄₃ class, and was more my level. I loved how she taught. She held a good pace for me, and had a very calming energy about her. She spoke a lot about her son, which was pleasant to hear. She even spoke with me after class, saying how it’s nice to go to a yoga class every so often for «nurturing» that teachers offer. She left me feeling good.
Now, the next class I went to was tough. It was yoga sculpt, which is yoga with weights. It was so difficult, but I really liked the challenge. It was taught by Ken, and he is such a kind person. He’s the type of person you want to be friends with. He was very encouraging during class, and offered different variations for people who wanted to go faster or slower than the class’ average pace. He also took my glasses off my mat when they fell off my face, THANK YOU. The only downfall about this class was that I was so sore, I decided to take a two-​day yoga break. However, when I saw Ken next, he wasn’t mad that I missed class; he said, «Sometimes it’s best to listen to your body.» Ugh, love him.
The last two classes were average. I had Kara and Bonnie. Their classes were very similar, as though they were either taught by the same person or they were following lame class guidelines. Either way, like I said, just average.
I cannot complete this review without writing about how beautiful the facility is. The front is a reception area/​boutique. I didn’t really get a chance to shop while I was there, but the clothes and yoga accessories they had looked nice. When you walk in the studios, they’re heated (hence, the «By Degrees» portion of their name), and it’s a nice feeling heat. I went during the summer, and it felt good to me; the rooms have specific temperatures for each class. The studios have mirrors, which is really great for monitoring your movement. At the end of each class, there is an option for a cool, lavendar infused cloth to be placed on your forehead while in Savasana. Super soothing. Plus, it doubles as a mat mop for sweat (they’re washed after each class).
After class, you can stop by the locker rooms. They’re beautiful! I’m seriously wondering who their cleaning service is, the locker rooms are so clean. I’ve never felt so comfortable being barefoot in a locker room in my life. They offer soap, shampoo, towels, hair junk, etc. if you have to/​want to shower after class. They have lockers with keys, so you can comfortably lock away your car keys/​cell phone during class.
I absolutely love YBD. The only reason I’m not going there everyday is because my wallet would explode in its emptiness. I plan on returning as soon as I can!

As an update this studio has become my favorite after today’s amazing class with great music that energized me! This is the first class that has been more advanced. I am loving it!!! Please add more ²⁄₃ level classes to this location.
Kara’s and Loretta are excellent leaders and teach amazing classes which are more flow (vinyasa) in style. I am referencing Thursday’s noon level 2 with Kara. Great teacher, Rockin’ music, and enthusiastic students= great Karma. This class is a must for students that practice on a regular basis.
Also, Ken the manager at this studio is super chill and friendly. This is the only studio that I have found in the entire Illinois area, even beats out Yogaview in my opinion. Where EVERY teacher is nice and inviting. Every class offers slightly different styles based on teachers, but they are all amazing. All students are nice as well! This is super important for all students no matter where they are in their practice!
As a side note this is also the only studio that I have found where someone is always present in the studio, answering phones etc, even during classes, wow! So the way a studio should be run.
I only wish they offered longer classes 1 hr 15 minutes.

I found Yoga By Degrees in Wheaton from a friend and tried out their free one week period and fell in love, but couldn’t make the trek to Wheaton everyday so I hoped and dreamed about a YBD closer to home and dreams really do come true! Wha-​laaa YBD Elmhurst opened up sometime in October of 2013 and it’s almost a carbon copy of their Wheaton location.
How can a fitness studio be so spanking clean and fresh? I don’t know about the men’s locker room, but the women’s freaking rocks! Hair dryers, shampoo/​conditioner, hair products, HAIR TIES!, I mean you name it and they’ll probably have it. It’s so clean that I feel comfortable walking around barefoot, which I would never have done at big chain gyms.
I’ve done mainly the level 2 classes, have yet to get in for a sculpt class (my favorite), but the instructors have always been knowledgeable and provides modification for the harder movements. As a CrossFitter I truly believe CrossFit and Yoga are meant to be. My muscles are really tight and sore from CrossFit and although it hurts to stretch them it’s a good pain. Yoga allows me to relax my muscles and stretch out all the sore spots.
I recommend YBD to all levels of Yogis especially since you can try them out for free for a whole week! I mean what’s better than free?

All of the classes offer a great, whole-​body workout and are also very relaxing. The instructors are very knowledgeable, helpful, welcoming and demonstrate a passion for yoga. Classes are accommodating to people of all levels, and instructors encourage students to practice at their own pace. I was never interested in yoga before coming to this studio – I did more running and strength training – but I go to yoga at least once a week and would go more if I could. My boyfriend said he got a better workout from Yoga Sculpt than he did from lifting weights at the gym, but that yoga has the benefit of being much more calming. The studio is clean and reminds me of a spa. If you’re considering going, just go! Your first week is free, no strings attached.

Found this studio via Groupon — I am not a «hot» yogi, but the winter cold and a hamstring injury brought me to a heated practice. This studio reminds me of Core Power, which I have ventured into a few times, as well. It definitely does not have that CPY «corporate» feel and based on the description of classes, teachers have the free reign as far as sequencing. While I am an Ashtangi, I do like bit of variety in my practice once in a while.
The studio itself is very spacious and clean. I was greeted by a delightful woman who was taking care of the front desk and checking people in. I have experienced various reactions when I present a Groupon, but here I felt very welcome. She gave me a tour of the studio and amenities. I like the fact that you do not need to bring your own lock — they have lockers with keys. Plenty of parking, too.
The variety of classes is great. The class I attended was not the best for me, as I did not quite click with the teacher, but my overall impression was good. This will not be my home studio, as Ashtanga is something I am not willing to give up, however, I do see myself coming here for classes that are fairly exclusive to hot yoga studios, such as yoga sculpt.
Small update ¹⁄₀₄:
I arrived to the studio earlier rather than my usual rushing and had a bit of time to pay attention to my surroundings. The space is clean and very spa-​like with soft relaxing music playing throughout the studio. I attended a yoga sculpt class with Jillian. At first, the class started out pretty slowly and I was doubtful I would be satisfied with it. The instructor did not blast music; it was actually a little hard to hear. I was annoyed at first, but then realized that instead of shocking my entire nervous system the way most yoga sculpt classes do, this one left me energized and calm. I was actually able to focus. Jillian does not have an overwhelming presence and seems down to earth, but really pushed us. I really enjoyed the class, particularly how grounded it made me feel. I will be back.

This studio rivals any good studio I’ve been to in the city (without dealing with traffic and parking). Very impressed with all the classes I’ve taken so far. The increased temperature (seems daunting at first but) is just what a tight muscle body needs and actually feels GREAT!