Moksha Yoga Center

Chicago, United States

4.3

21 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 312-942-9642
Website:
www.mokshayoga.com
Address:
700 N Carpenter St, Chicago, IL, 60642
River West, Noble Square, West Town
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
730 ftChicago
0.3 miHalsted & Erie SB
0.3 miHalsted & Chicago SB
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Bike Parking
Yes
Good for Kids
No
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Chicago) 00:42 Wednesday, 11 June 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Ashtanga, Mysore, Vinyasa, Hatha, Tantric Vinyasa, Basics/​Intro, Candlelight, $ 7 ‘Karma’ & *free* Community classes offered.

History

Established in 1999.

Moksha Yoga Center is the largest independently owned studio in the midwest with three locations, and over 125 classes every week. All classes are taught by skilled and intuitive instructors who accommodate students’ individual needs. Experience asanas (poses), breath work, philosophy and meditation to center your being. If you’ve ever considered going deeper in your practice join owner Daren Friesen for 200 or 500hr teacher training — only a willingness to learn is required. Daren has trained many of the studio owners in Chicago and beyond, and travels to India each year to deepen his own practice. Weekend workshops are offered to expand your practice — topics include Vinyasa Flow, meditation and Ayurveda. Treat yourself to some bodywork or yoga clothing from the boutique during your visit.

Meet the Business Owner

Daren F.

Business Owner

Daren Friesen is the director and founder of Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago. An enthusiastic student and passionate teacher, his challenging style of vinyasa flow incorporates asana, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, and kriyas. Having studied with renowned teachers in the states and masters and gurus in India, Daren encourages students to use traditional elements and techniques to overcome the pull of opposites (duality) and to develop one-​pointed attention. Through one-​pointed attention, one discovers the keys to accessing true health and vitality. Daren’s classes offer provocative insights and opportunities for personal growth through his unique blend of a classical yet innovative approach to practice.

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21 reviews of Moksha Yoga Center

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Columbus, OH
Wonderful space with lots of natural lighting. Friendly staff and knowledgeable instructor who gave good adjustments. Lots of storage space, and a good mixture of class offerings.
Place rating: 5
Lombard, IL
Fantastic and experienced teachers. I love the fact that they don’t preach the «You are the most important thing in the world» message that several bourgeois yoga chains do. No mirrors! Another big plus. Parking is easy too. This is my favorite yoga studio in Chicago. Its clean and bright. I love coming here.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I had bought a Groupon package to try this yoga studio out. I loved it so much that I bought a package to keep going! I highly recommend the mindful flow classes. All the instructors are knowledgeable and friendly, especially Lindsey Levin Labkon and Pierce Doer. I enjoy the long classes and the guided meditations and breathing at the end of every yoga session. The yoga classes that are provided by local gyms just don’t compare in quality to what you will get at Moksha. The instructors are great at providing safe modifications.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
I called here with questions about my studio credit and when I could reach a manager person (politely). I had emailed a question twice and no one responded. I talked to Jeff who was down right hostile. At one point barking at me that he didn’t know why I didn’t get a response b/​c they «answer all their emails.» He said the manager person wasn’t there and when I asked when they would be there he said «it’s a yoga studio» and they don’t have set hours– rudely. geez, thanks
Not a smart way to treat potential customers.
Place rating: 5
Brookfield, IL
Moksha is amazing. I started my teacher training there in 2009 when I was 19 and completed in 2010 at age 20. It was a game-​changer. Now, a successful 25 year old teaching yoga classes and events full time, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think of Daren and how grateful I am for his teachings. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for his training, his wisdom, and his love and support. Thank you for being such a positive influence in my life and for creating such a strong community.
Moksha is amazing, whether you are brand new to yoga or looking for a training. the number one teacher training in the city hands down. All 3 locations are beautiful and clean. You won’t be disappointed. ;) xo
Place rating: 5
Brookfield, IL
Moksha is amazing. I started my teacher training there in 2009 when I was 19 and completed in 2010 at age 20. It was a game-​changer. Now, a successful 25 year old teaching yoga classes and events full time, there isn&
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I went Wade’s class for my 1st use of my Groupon. It was a wonderful class and I will definitely return! He was a great instructor and gave you adjustments and encouragement whenever they were needed!
Place rating: 5
Crawfordsville, IN
A very nice studio in a great location. The space is quiet and serene, with friendly and helpful staff members and good facilities. I recently attended a workshop given by Seane Corn at Moksha Yoga and it was one of the best yoga experiences of my life. I can only write my review based on that event, but it was great. Thanks Moksha for hosting Seane and I look forward to attending future events at the studio.
Place rating: 2
Schenectady, NY
The studio is very clean and inviting, and I found the desk staff to be very helpful. Unfortunately, this is where my good experience ended. I took a class with Rich Logan and left class feeling embarrassed and unfulfilled. I currently go to another studio where the instructor walks around and adjusts your pose individually. What I am not used to is having an instructor call you out from the front of the room, effectively singling you out. Perhaps others are not as sensitive to this, but I immediately get flustered, especially when it happens several times in one class. It’s not that I am unfamiliar with the poses, as I’ve been practicing for over 2 years. It just felt like I was being pushed to force my body into an asana, to the point where I was concerned I would injure myself. Everybody’s bodies are different, and it would have been nice not to feel this kind of pressure.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
New to the neighborhood, I decided to try a class at Moksha. I was hoping that the extra long classes meant that I’d be getting an intense workout. I was a bit disappointed, it seemed like the class involved more talking than anything. I’m sure this style of yoga is well suited to some, but as a very busy young person, I expect to do some sweating and a stronger work out in the time I set aside for my yoga practice. I will be making the longer commute to my old yoga studio from now on.
Place rating: 3
Phoenix, AZ
I had a bad first experience with customer service here, but the business owner reached out and gave me an opportunity to come back for another try. Much more lovely the second time through, and he handled the situation with grace. Both classes and instructors were friendly and calming.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Angelique Nelson teaches Vinyasa 2 which is accessible to everyone — from the beginners to the advanced yogis. Her enthusiasm for yoga, teaching and her students really shines through… She totally Rocks! =)
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
This is the best yoga studio in Chicago IMHO. It’s difficult but they have a variety of styles and levels of classes for beginners– instructors. They also have classes that are more focused on mindfulness and classes that are more focused on physical practice and breathing. If you want to find a yoga class that is just the right amount of spirituality and exercise, this is the place.
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
Two words. Alexia Bauer.
The woman is a godess of a teacher. Her energy, teaching style and presence in general, is inspiring and yet very disarming. I’m an Ashtangi, and prefer the self practice /​mysore method, but Alexia’s primary series led classes are just outstanding.
I envy all of you who live in Chicago for both, the incredible city, and this very studio.
Prices are reasonable with a $ 40 intro which seems to be the yoga norm these days. They do have a lovely in house boutique where you can practice your own sense of cool detachment towards material things. Or not. Those mala beads looks great on anyone.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
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 première, classical yoga studio — so if you’re looking for authentic yoga that extends beyond the asana (physical postures) then this is your place.
Place rating: 5
Asheville, NC
Moksha offers an amazing opportunity for people to personally tap into the classical roots and ancient tradition of the art and science of yoga. In addition to having many of the most experienced and knowledgeable teachers in the Chicago area on staff, Moksha also draws some of the preeminent authorities on yoga and related topics from across the country to its studios for workshops. Students benefit from being able to draw from a wealth of knowledge through a wide variety of respected sources.
I can honestly say that in my experience at Moksha, every teacher has something unique and valuable to share. You can’t go wrong in taking a class from Moksha’s founder and director Daren Friesen, who currently teaches vinyasa classes on Tuesdays and Sundays at Riverwest. Another amazing teacher is Gabriel Halpern, who teaches alignment-​based classes on Thursday afternoons at Riverwest. Another exceptional Moksha instructor is Lani Granum, who teaches vinyasa classes on Thursdays and Fridays at Riverwest and Sundays at the Lakeview location.
Place rating: 5
East Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
I make a point to try out every studio I find in Chicago and I can say that Moksha is one of the best. They offer a wide variety of class formats and their teachers teach in such a clear, concise and accessible way. The bring excellent master instructors to Chicago and have a packed schedule of workshops throughout the year.
Their style of yoga is more traditional and unlike other more fitness-​focused studios there is just as strong an emphasis on the spiritual and psychological aspects of yoga at Moksha as there is providing physically challenging classes. Some people come to yoga merely as a form of exercise, but for those who want to explore themselves wholly, Moksha is your studio.
Beginner classes are actually appropriate for beginners, just read your class description carefully and ask any questions you have before signing up for class and you won’t be disappointed. And while I’ve taken classes I didn’t care for at Moksha, I so appreciate their honest receptivity to constructive feedback that it would never dissuade me from coming back.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
Something was missing for me. I have definitely heard good things about Moksha, but it seemed more like a yoga-​factory than a yoga experience. No teacher ever stopped to ask my name or introduce themselves. It seemed like teachers were only adjusting long-​term members and it seemed like a who-​knows-​who, who can do what the best environment. I found classes to be all over the place. One being far too easy, the next far too challenging. I was a grouponer, and I know that is annoying to staff, but I was genuinely looking for a new yoga home since my studio had recently closed. I think the intimacy and personalization that I find important in a yoga studio was missing here.
Plus, floors were always dirty and their props looked like they were disease ridden. It’s hard to give a yoga studio a not-​so-​good rating since afterall, it is yoga. But, I would just recommend going elsewhere. There are tons of good studios in the city.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Now this is what I’d call a yoga studio. All of the teachers are legit and well versed in the teachings of their various styles of yoga. The studio is super welcoming and offers classes for all levels of yogis. Despite having practiced yoga for a few years, I find some of the level 2 – 3 classes intimidating. The studio has a large number of very advanced students. So while there is something for everyone here, definitely pace yourself and choose your classes carefully.
I like that Moksha offers a wide variety of styles of yoga. Recently I’ve gotten into Ashtanga and have been going to Mysore classes with Todd. He’s been amazing! I was nervous on the first day, but he was amazingly nice and walked me through everything I needed to know about Mysore and how the practice works. The classes are also very reasonably priced compared to other yoga studios in the area. They also offer several free or reduced price classes throughout the week for those on a tight budget. If you want the real deal, definitely check this place out. This particular location is super easy to get to. If you drive, there’s always tons of street parking. On the el, it’s about a block from the blue line stop on Chicago.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
This place is great. Actually one of the nicest yoga studios I’ve ever been to on pretty much every level.
The location is great, just south of Chicago Blue Line stop. The actual space is open, clean, relaxing and their equipment is nice.
Everyone is very friendly and although I typically take the same class all the instructors I’ve met are professional and focused on helping you achieve whatever goal brought you there in the first place.
They have a variety of classes and I think the prices are reasonable.
Place rating: 5
Glenview, IL
Ok.
I did not take yoga classes here-​I took a 4 week series hoop dancing class that was in one of the rooms in this studio. Lemme tell ya, overall, this place is really great. First off finding street parking is pretty easy– I always snagged a spot right by the studio. The studio itself is warm, inviting, peaceful, and the staff is awesome. Everyone was very nice and genuine. I would totally go here for yoga classes.