That is what one of the instructors at Tri Balance Yoga Studio regularly expresses at the end of my Hot Yoga class.  This statement mirrors one of the philosophies I try to live by – to live life in the moment.  There is no future, there is no past.  The future and the past only exist in our language, not in reality.  The only real moment is the present moment, yet too many people try to live for the future or re-live the past.  In doing so, they miss out on so much.   I wanted to start taking yoga to relax my body and help my mind live in this present.

Yoga offers countless benefits

I discovered Tri Balance Yoga Studio two weeks ago and I can honestly say I’m a better person for it.  As listed on the Tri Balance site, the many benefits of yoga include improved balance, relieved aches and pains, reduced stress, increased body strength, more flexibility, anti-aging effects, improved blood pressure, and more.  Being an avid strength and circuit trainer, I used to write off yoga as a good stretching activity but not much else.  I only wish I realized how wrong I was earlier.  I now believe yoga can accomplish all of those benefits and more.  I personally feel so lithe and light after each class that I’m glowing.  It could have to do with the fact that I literally drip sweat and melt skin during class.  In any event, you CANNOT walk out of Tri Balance in a bad mood.

The first week I joined, I participated in four hot yoga sessions and one fitness Pilates.  The first day I missed a session, I instantly felt it.  The second week (last week), I was unfortunately busier and was only able to partake in two hot yoga sessions.  I missed it terribly.  This week I vow to take five sessions.  Allow me to explain some of the reasons Tri Balance is such a soothing studio . . .

First, the people at Tri Balance – the instructors along with those behind the desk – create a welcoming, individualized environment.  I have had two hot yoga instructors so far and one fitness pilates instructor; all three of these experts constantly walk around the room, either helping to correct our body positions or challenging us to maneuver in more difficult positions.  I have received individual attention every single session as I noticed so has everyone else.   Classes always attract an impressive amount of people but because the room is fairly large, it never feels too cramped to move fully.  The entire studio is impeccably clean.  The women’s bathroom is inviting with extra towels, mats, soaps, etc. ready for members; plus, it always has that fresh just-been-cleaned smell each day.  The studio offers a variety of classes including Hot Yoga, Hot Core Yoga, Fitness Pilates, Ashtanga Yoga, Total Body Conditioning, and Core.  Classes are offered seven days a week and cost $17/class ($10 discounted for public service occupations . . . see below) or $3/day for unlimited monthly use.  It really is reasonable; and, you don’t have to sign a contract locking you in for a certain time.  You can pay as little or as much as you like at a time.

Along with the yoga studio, there is a hair stylist, massage therapist, nutritionist, and holistic doctor within the same walls – another attestment to Tri Balance helping the whole person . . . physically and mentally.  The studio also regularly offers workshops to enhance the yoga experience.  For instance, the next workshop is covering Gong Meditation, using our inter-vibratory system to de-stress.

Convinced yet?  Well, if you live, work or visit the northwest suburbs of Chicago, you should give Tri Balance studio a try.  Tell them Grading Girl sent you!  You will not be wasting your time.  People of every size, shape, gender, and age take classes here.  Everyone leaves his or her inhibitions at the door.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the room is set at 106° and the lights are very minimal during the hot yoga sessions.  Admittedly, I’ve fallen asleep momentarily after the Namaste because I’m so relaxed by the end.

An added benefit:  Tri Balance offers discounts to police officers, firemen, teachers, military personnel, and nurses.  Of course, they get extra credit from Grading Girl for that one!

Grading Girl gives Tri Balance Yoga Studio an A for providing the community with a soothing environment for very healthful classes.  The convenient schedule (hot yoga is offered at least four times a day) adds to the high grade.

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A technician will apply the tan carefully even at Asha Salon & Spa - most natural I've seen!!

I admit it!  I’ve spent the past few years scraping through hundreds of bottles of self-tanning lotions, attempting to find that perfect yet safe, natural looking tan sans the UV rays.  Some were too orange, some wore off too quickly, some smelled horrendously, some left streak marks . . . you get the idea.  Well, I finally broke down and had my first spray tan.  After seeing too many girls come out looking like a dark orange alien, I did my research first.   I was looking for a natural tan that would last more than three days and not cost me an arm and a leg to color my arms and legs.   After googling, asking girls at the gym, and making a few phone calls, I opted for ASHA Salon and Spa’s spray tan.  Happily, I was not disappointed!!  For a well spent $40, I walked out of the salon with a I-just-got-back-from-a-Caribbean-vacation look.  I can’t tell you how many people asked me if I just got back from somewhere.  My tired, end of winter white skin was gone for 10 days.  Yes, that was another wonderful perk of indulging in ASHA’s treat; this tan lasted more than the average spray tan of three to five days.   My personal tanner took her time to ensure she sprayed on enough color in all the right places, proving much more thorough than the spray machines that many other spas offer.  Those remind me of the Friends episode when Ross’s attempt at one of those machines goes horribly awry!  No bothersome machines here!  Guys, that reminds me, this can be for you too as ASHA has male tanners to help kick off your summer glow.  So whether you want to supplement your natural tan or are trying to avoid the sun’s UV rays altogether, ASHA’s salon spray tan is well worth it.  ASHA Salon is conveniently located in Chicago and neighboring suburbs.  I already indulged in my second tan and have an appointment for my third!

A for natural look, quality service, and reasonable price

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