Staying Well in Chicago:A Guide to Finding Better Wellness
I get it. It’s cold and windy in Chicago, we are on calendar year 3 of a pandemic, and everyday looks the same. It's now 2022 and you’re wondering, “How am I going to get through this?”
Let it be known that we are all on the same page. We are all frustrated, burnt out, tired, and feeling hopeless. But in tough times, we must dig deep for a shred of hope–a glimmer of faith in something greater–and what’s greater than your own well-being?
If your New Year’s Resolution was to better your wellness in any form, here’s a list of Chicago gems for you that will surely get you motivated to invest in personal care. Whether you are seeking better physical health, mental health, spiritual health, or just more “treat yourself” moments, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite wellness people, places, services, and organizations in Chicago that you should know about.
Preface: You will notice that a good majority of these businesses are located on the Northwest Side. This is solely because I live and work in the wellness industry in this area and have had the privilege of connecting with this community. I also tried to include as many businesses as possible that are POC, LGBTQ+, or women-owned/operated in order to provide inclusivity and diversity.
For Fitness:
What you want: A small, inclusive, and safe workout environment, free of judgment or shame, with group or private training and coaching.
Where you should go: Above The Bar
Neighborhood: Logan Square/Bucktown
Web: https://abovethebarlife.com/
Social: @abovethebar.life
What you want: A space and community for improving your fitness, eating habits, and mindset all together.
Where you should go: Live Better Co.
Neighborhood: Streeterville
Web: https://livebetterco.org/
Social: @livebetterco
What you want: A smaller boutique studio with multiple disciplines: Barre, Strength, Cycle, HIIT, and Stretch with the best instructors in the city who help you with alignment and form while making the classes fun and energetic!
For Yoga:
What you want: A variety of yoga modalities in a large and safe space with live streaming and on demand classes available.
Where you should go: Zen Yoga Garage
Neighborhood: Bucktown/Wicker Park
Web: https://www.zenyogagarage.com/
Social: @zenyogagarage
What you want: Yoga classes for all bodies and experience levels, with the intention of strengthening your practice.
Where you should go: Big Shoulders Yoga
Neighborhood: West Town
Web: https://www.bigshouldersyoga.com/
Social: @bigshouldersyoga
What you want: Deep healing kundalini-style yoga.
Where you should go: Sat Nam Yoga
Neighborhood: West Loop
Web: https://www.satnamyogachicago.com/
Social: @satnamyogachicago
For the Adventurous Type:
What you want: Something to help your muscle/joint pain and/or inflammation.
Where you should go: Chicago Cryo Spa
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
Web: https://www.chicagocryospa.com/
Social: @chicagocryospa
What you want: Tranquility, relaxation, and increased mental clarity.
Where you should go: FloatSixty
Neighborhood: River North
Web: https://www.floatsixty.com/
Social: @floatsixty
What you want: Indoor rock climbing and fitness classes.
Where you should go: First Ascent
Neighborhood: Avondale, Humboldt Park, Uptown, Loop
Web: https://www.faclimbing.com/
Social: @firstascentclimbing
For Body Work:
What you want: Intuitive and holistic massage and energy work.
Where you should go: Intuit Healing
Neighborhood: Logan Square/Bucktown
Web: https://www.intuithealing.com/
Social: @intuit_healing
What you want: Chiropractic, acupuncture, functional medicine, massage, and clinical nutrition all in one place.
Where you should go: Aligned Modern Health
Neighborhood: Several Locations including; South Loop, West Loop, Lincoln Park, Streeterville, Lincoln Square, Wicker Park, River North, Andersonville, Southport, Loop, Logan Square
Web: https://alignedmodernhealth.com/
Social: @alignedmodernhealth
What you want: A bilingual holistic health clinic that provides functional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, bodywork, reiki, yoga, cupping, and herbal medicine, and also hosts classes, events, and workshops.
Where you should go: Sanctuary Health
For a “Treat Yourself” Moment:
What you want: An inexpensive facial, wax, lash or brow service.
Where you should go: Face Foundrie
Neighborhood: Bucktown/Wicker Park
Web: https://www.facefoundrie.com/
Social: @facefoundrie
What you want: A luxury skincare experience and some self-care shopping.
For Spiritual Wellness:
What you want: Meditation classes and a curriculum of Buddhist and Shambhala teachings and workshops.
Where you should go: Shambhala
Neighborhood: West Loop, Rogers Park
Web: https://chicago.shambhala.org/
Social: @chicagoshambhala
What you want: Meditation classes and retreats, plus live stream and recorded classes.
Where you should go: Kadampa Meditation Center
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Web:https://www.meditateinchicago.org/
Social: @meditateinchicago
For Mental Health:
What you want: BIPOC & LCBTQ+ mental health services.
Where you should go: Fig Tree Counseling
Neighborhood: Loop
Web: https://www.figtreechi.com/
Social: @figtreechi
What you want: A therapy and healing space that treats mental health as a main pillar of an everyday wellness regimen. A space that services individuals, couples, and families, as well as holds educational and support groups, integrates alternative therapies, and provides legal guidance.
Where you should go: Sol Wellness and Introspective Family Therapy
Neighborhood: Pilsen
Web: https://www.solwellnesschicago.com/
Social: @solchicago
What you want: “You name it, they have it” mental health services for individuals, couples, and groups.
Where you should go: Mind Body Co-Op
Neighborhood: Loop
Web: https://mindbodycoop.com/
Social @mindbodycoop
For Health/Life Coaching:
What you want: Life and career coaching
Who you should contact: Rosie Guagliardo of Inner Brilliance Coaching
Web: https://www.innerbrilliancecoaching.com/
Social: @innerbrilliancecoaching
What you want: Holistic health coaching
Who you should contact: Alex Timion
Web: https://alextimionhealth.com/
Social: @alextimionhealth
What you want: Radical self-love coaching.
Who you should contact: Erinne Brown
Web: https://www.livewellwitherinne.com/
Social: @livewellwitherinne
What you want: Education and empowerment in business intention, manifestation, and mindfulness.
Who you should contact: Steph Strauss
Web: https://www.stephstraussmindfulness.com
Social @stephstraussmindfulness
What you want: Virtual health and fitness coaching
Who you should contact: Austin Head
Web: https://www.linktr.ee/austin_head
Social @austin_head
For the Wellness of our Community:
What you want: To volunteer or donate to a wellness-based organization for youth in Chicago.
Where you should contribute: Healthy Hood Chi
Neighborhood: Lower West Side/Pilsen
Web: http://www.healthyhoodchi.com/
Social: @healthyhoodchi
What you want: To volunteer or donate to addiction recovery and treatment in Chicago
Where you should contribute: Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center
Neighborhood: East Garfield Park
Web: https://anb.today/
Social: @aboveandbeyondfrc
Lastly, Wellness Warriors of Chicago You Should Be Following on Instagram:
Chare'A Taree- Wellness Educator
Cresencia Felty- Naturopathic Doctor
Tanya Lozano- CoFounder of Healthy Hood Chi
Seobia Rivers- CoFounder of Healthy Hood Chi
Dr. Kelly Simms- Doctor of Natural Women’s Health
Stephanie Greene- Wellness Blogger
@therealstephaniegreene
Very Human Social- Social Club/Wellness Community
Solarus Collective- Wellness Community for Black Women
The Face of Chicago Business- Podcast Platform hosted by Influential Professionals
Thanks For Reading!