PHOTO: Wellness and FItness

adult education classes

Wellness and Fitness Classes

Breathe…relax…and simplify your life with your wellness partner, the Chicago Botanic Garden, on your journey toward feeding your mind, body, and soul. With a holistic approach, we offer programming developed to help you attain or maintain a balanced lifestyle. Warm and friendly instructors combine standard and progressive methods to deliver uplifting classes for people of all ages and abilities. Together we’ll help you fight stress, strengthen your mind and body, and feel rejuvenated. We invite you to sign up for a class and explore the 385-acre gym and classroom also known as the Chicago Botanic Garden! The offerings include yoga, tai chi, fitness walks, meditation, exercise, strength, toning, recreation, outdoor activity, and ExerScape classes for health and fitness that can be at boot-camp level.

class schedule

View current course offerings

rave reviews

“The program is valuable in building awareness, compassion and for overall improvement for health and stress reduction.”

“This program has saved my life!”

“As always I leave class with peace of mind, body, and soul.”

“It’s the best. Wish I could attend more often.”

“It helps me get through the week.”

Instructor bios

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ExerScape
Enjoy energizing workouts, outside of a stuffy gym! The goal of these classes is to improve your health by giving you the tools and techniques that will help reduce your weight, improve your muscle tone, help increase your bone density, and broaden your flexibility and range of motion. Yoga mats are required. All fitness levels are accommodated, and all will delight in the spectacular Garden views. Dress for the weather; wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Sign up to exercise once, twice, or three times a week. Drop-ins are welcome.

Fitness Walks
Walking is a great cardiovascular workout for all fitness levels. Maximize the benefits of walking for exercise by learning about proper posture, muscle strengthening, and stretching. The Chicago Botanic Garden’s outdoor environment is a unique alternative to a health club, offering fresh air and a place where beautiful scenery changes weekly. Classes are conducted in the Regenstein Center courtyard during inclement weather. All fitness levels are accommodated. Dress for the weather; wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. A water bottle will help keep you refreshed.

Tai Chi
Tai chi’s fluid movements make the Chicago Botanic Garden an ideal location for classes. People of all ages and physical conditions can learn these movements. Tai chi is best practiced in loose clothing and stocking feet or comfortable flat shoes. Dress for the weather as class may be held outside when weather allows.

Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice that unites body, mind, and spirit. All are welcome. For all sessions, wear comfortable clothing (sweats, shorts, or yoga pants) with socks or bare feet. Yoga mats are required. It is also suggested that you bring a towel with you, as well as a sweatshirt for cool-down. On occasion, when weather permits, class will occur outdoors in one of the beautiful areas of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

wellness and fitness classes

Fitness Walks
April 7 – November 17, 2012
Saturday
8 – 9 a.m.
Meet in Visitor Center

Meditation Walk: The Cycles of Life
May 5
Saturday
8 – 10 a.m.
Meet at Visitor Center

Aromatherapy for Summer Care
June 4
Monday
1 – 3 p.m.
Fairchild Room

Aromatic Walking Tour at the Chicago Botanic Garden
July 14
Saturday
10 a.m. – noon
Linnaeus Room

Consciousness and Nature Retreat at Mettawa Manor
September 21
Friday
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Mettawa Manor, Kurtis Conservation Foundation

ExerScape Fitness: Strength & Toning
Dates:
June 5 – 30
July 10 – August 4
August 7 – September 1
September 4 – 29
Time:
9 – 10 a.m.
Days:
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
Meet at the Visitor Center

Yoga Classes

Gentle Yoga
Summer: June 25 – August 13
8 Mondays
Fall: September 10 – November 12
10 Mondays
9 – 10:15 a.m. or
5:15 – 6:30 p.m.
Garden View Room

Introductory Yoga
Summer: June 27 – August 15
8 Wednesdays
Fall: September 12 – November 14
10 Wednesdays
5:15 – 6:30 p.m. or
7 – 8:15 p.m.
Garden View Room

Yoga Flow Beginner
Summer: June 26 – August 14
8 Tuesdays
Fall: September 11 – November 13
10 Tuesdays
9:15 – 10:30 a.m. or
6 – 7:15 p.m.
Garden View Room

Yoga Flow Intermediate
Summer: June 26 – August 14
8 Tuesdays
Fall: September 11 – November 13
10 Tuesdays
8 – 9:15 a.m.
or
Summer: June 28 – August 16
8 Thursdays
Fall: September 13 – November 15
10 Thursdays
9 – 10:15 a.m. or
6 – 7:15 p.m.
Garden View Room

Gentle Yoga and Meditation
September 12 – November 14
10 Wednesdays
9:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Linnaeus Room

Tai Chi Classes

Tai Chi Meet & Greet Session
Saturday
May 12
9 - 10:30 a.m.
McGinley Pavilion
Free

Beginning Tai Chi
Summer: June 6 – August 22
(no class June 20 or July 4)
10 Wednesdays
8 – 9 a.m.
Burnstein Hall

Intermediate Tai Chi
Summer: June 7 – August 23 (no class June 21 or July 5)
10 Thursdays
8 – 9 a.m.
Burnstein Hall

Intermediate II Tai Chi
Summer: June 7 – August 23 (no class June 21 or July 5)
10 Thursdays
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Burnstein Hall

Advanced Tai Chi
Summer: June 6 – August 22 (no class June 20 or July 4)
10 Wednesdays
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Burnstein Hall