The first master yogis bent themselves like twist-ties around their enemies, smothering them with relaxing vibes. Now that all of your human and animal enemies are dead or in exile, defeat work-related stress with today's Groupon: for $40, you get 12 yoga classes at The Peace School (up to a $110 value).
A nonprofit, equal-opportunity education organization, The Peace School is recognized by the United Nations for its "significant and concrete contributions" to peace. The school strikes serene chords between mind, body, and spirit with yoga classes organized in three tiers of experience. Level one provides a gentle introduction for bending beginners and expectant mothers, and level two starts to introduce more challenging poses. Level three provides a longer, intense experience for seasoned pretzellers. Sessions in all levels blend meditation, exercise, and breathing techniques to produce a more soothing experience than listening to a theremin quartet play humpbacks' greatest hits. Stretch and tone muscles, loosen stiff joints, correct slouching posture, and reenter the world exuding a Fonzian poise. The Peace School hosts between three and seven class times per tier Monday through Saturday. Call ahead to make reservations.
The Peace School
A nonprofit educational organization, The Peace School promotes tranquility of mind, body, and spirit through yoga, tae kwon do, and meditation courses that welcome students of all ages. Originally established in 1972 by Grand Master Myungsu Y.S. Kim, the school has been recognized by the United Nations, developed senior and nursing-home programs, and helped establish Peace Day, an annual Chicago celebration of peace and cultural institutions.
At the school, a coalition of experienced instructors—all of whom have trained for at least 10 years—leads students in three levels of yoga, traditional tae kwon do, and other exercises. Group practice, discussion, and lectures divulge the fundamentals of peace breathing meditation, while a hands-on self-defense for women class opens up discussion of attitude, confidence, and safety issues. Massage classes emphasize acupressure technique and deep breathing, while courses in infant massage can help babies sleep better.