Sweet Magic Studio

Karina is a Miagi. You get out of it what you put into it. She’s highly intuitive about her students emotionally and physically, and her eccentricities bring local color to my neighborhood experience, and let’s face it: Rogers Park has personality but needs constant upkeep. I go for yoga and belly dance and the weekly trips are a much-​needed escape from the stereotypes I find my world constantly shoving me into. I’m not the only guy in the belly dance class. I’m at an age where I’m so over the fabulosity of the gay club experience, and at Sweet Magic I can express aspects of myself that may or may not make me look as sexy as dancing makes me feel. And this experience is for that belly dancer in me who may have danced for his life 400 years ago in some exotic corner of Asia Minor.

Kareena’s classes are expertly taught. It is clear that she has devoted much time and thought to what belly dance contributes to the health and well-​being of the body and mind. I have had other belly dance teachers before who have disappointed me in this respect. They have not had quite the same knowledge of and respect for the art form. I learn something about the body every time I attend one of Kareena’s classes, and I have always felt myself in very capable hands.
For those who are not sure that belly dance is right for them, I would say – it is for you if you learn from Kareena. It can teach you so much about how you move in and inhabit your body without it being necessary for you to strain or exhaust yourself in the process. Kareena’s approach, which combines belly dance with a few tools drawn from yoga, make the whole experience as good for the mind as the body.
Kareena’s classes are very comfortable for women (and men) of all shapes and sizes. Some body types lend themselves more to belly dance, to be sure, but there is nobody who doesn’t have a body that can gain a lot from these exercises, which train you to isolate and strengthen very particular muscles of which you would otherwise be unaware. And Kareena is particularly good at explaining why you should find these muscles, and what difference it makes to engage them rather than let them atrophy.

she was knowledgable and helpful. I only went once but i definitely plan on going back.

Kareena’s classes are great. I’ve been practicing yoga for 4 years, and when I moved to Roger’s Park I was really delighted to find this great studio across the street from my apartment. Kareena is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Her classes are relaxing and challenging, with a lot of focus on deep, gentle movements. The multi-​level format of her classes is really nice — feel like I can go to either a level 1 or 2 class, and still get just as much out the experience. She gives a lot of personal attention and great adjustments. The fact that it’s a small studio space lends to the personalized experience, as it’s never crowded and all of the students are really friendly. Plus, Kareena’s smile is just downright warming. I no longer live in RP, but it’s worth it for me to make the trip all the way up from Lakeview to get to this studio. I’d recommend this place for beginners who are just starting to feel out their yogic lifestyles ranging to yoginis who are looking to bring a deeper focus to their practice.

I walked into Sweet Magic Studio last June with zip knowledge of yoga and a lifelong horror of group physical-​fitness-​type activity (I once fled from an aerobics class at a gym in tears because of my complete inability to follow the teacher). Kareena immediately put me at ease, and by the end of the class, I couldn’t wait for the next one. I’ve benefited from her classes physically, mentally and spiritually. Recommended not just for beginners like me, but also for those seeking smaller classes with individualized attention from someone who didn’t just start teaching last week; Kareena has decades of experience to share, and knows how to gently challenge a student while respecting her/​his limitations. All shapes, sizes, ages and genders are welcome here, fancy designer yoga wear is NOT necessary, and if it ever stops snowing, you can visit the lake after class! Belly dance and tai chi are offered as well.

Kareena is Amazing! I’ve been to several yoga studios around the city and this is the best I’ve found. She offers a personal, professional and challenging workout for everyone. Moving form one pose to another is rhythmic and almost seems like it’s choreographed to the wishes of the body. Nothing is ever rushed, everything seems natural even when it’s hard. Emphasis is placed on correct posture and positioning, and every class is an education in diet, body, and in balancing life forces. Classes last longer than an hour (usually 1.5 without the nap at the end) and end with a feeling of balance, energy, and overall well being. Absolutely worth the trip to Rogers Park if you don’t already live there. After class grab a coffee at Ennui and spend some time at the beach that’s less than a block away.