Core Essence Yoga

As a first time yoga student, I felt spoiled with my experience at Core Essence Yoga. If you are looking for entry level, variety, or experienced level yoga classes, give this place a try.
Located on Brady across from Walgreens in the same building as Knick Salon and Spa. This building is beautiful. As you walk to the top floor, the receptionist is right there to greet you. The atmosphere is inviting, cozy, and small. Built much like an apartment, the hallway leads you to different rooms; the bathroom, a fun lounge area, a place to keep your belongings, and the studio. There is only one studio. It is spacious with a high ceiling and curtains covering large windows with bare cream walls. The tone is calm and relaxing.
For whatever reason Yoga came into your life, whether it’s physical, mental, and/​or spiritual, these instructors will help you with strength and awareness. By examining postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and stretching; you’ll learn that repetition and focus makes for a clear mind and open heart.
My instructor’s name was Jamie Landry. She was great! The 4:30pm– 5:45pm class I took was Slow Flow, an entry level vinyasa class. Practiced in a semi heated room with music. Class size size varies and usually last 1 – 2 hours depending on the class. Teacher training school, workshops, retreats, and massages are also offered. Cheap package rates! Even cheaper on Groupon. I will be returning to this studio. What a great way to start my weekend!

I was visiting family in Milwaukee and needed a studio I could visit for a few classes and decided on this one. It was a lovely experience. The studio is warm and large. The instructors are fun and friendly. The classes are good for many levels. I did the power vinyasa classes and loved the amount of inversions we did! You get a good amount of vinyasas in there and have a perfect stretch and savasana at the end. They have a shower to use, which I really appreciated. Parking was easy during the week. Really, no complaints. I will definitely go back if I’m in town.

CEY has an incredibly beautiful studio. You walk in and feel ready to really focus in on your practice. The instructors are awesome and make you feel incredibly welcomed. I was brand new to yoga when I first walked into CEY and I have become a yogi at heart! Great variety of classes, combined with great instructors and an amazing studio make for a wonderful experience.

this is one of the most beautiful studios I have been to. You walk up three stories, but you are doing yoga in the clouds. It has super tall ceilings, beautiful wood floors, and amazing windows. The instructors and the owner are some of the most friendly people you will find. The owner if does a teacher training, therefore the caliber of teachers there is high.
The bathrooms and lounge room are adorable. This studio is not corporate (though run very well) it is very laid back and accepting.
The only issue is parking. It is in the «hip» part of town so finding a spot is a little difficult.
I would recommend this studio to any visitor or resident of Milwaukee.

I have attended two classes at Core Essence. I just got home from the second one ten minutes ago, and I haven’t felt this relaxed in a while. I took the Power Vinyasa, and the class was challenging yet very manageable.
The studio is very clean, and it just plain makes sense to go here. Mats, blocks, and towels are provided. There is a room you can hang out in and browse merchandise, have tea, or talk to your fellow yogis before or after class. They offer fun events, like candlelight yoga, and have student rates. I would seriously consider becoming a member if I had more disposable income. For now, I will just pop in for classes whenever I can, because it is the the best yoga studio around.

I love the studio and the yoga classes. I decided to try my first Thai massage here but I was very nervous and skeptical as I am not very flexible at all. I booked it with Manuel, and he was great! He made me feel at ease and comfortable. I asked for medium pressure, and it was perfect — not too intense like some massages I have had, but enough still to work my tight muscles. I definitely would recommend going here!

I’m finding it difficult to formulate this sentence without using superlatives — but seriously, Core Essence is my absolute favorite yoga studio in Milwaukee. The space is gorgeous, and the classes are fun and engaging. Rebecca’s «Lunchtime Renewal» class on Mondays is my go-​to, as she motivates her class and pushes us to try different postures without making us [me] feel like I’m going to fall over. Shayna’s «Slow Flow» class is also great, as is Allison’s lunchtime course (if you like a challenge!).
Definitely check out CE if you are looking for a studio. They have a variety of classes and offer special weekend courses as well — not to mention that Shayna is certified in Thai massage.

It has been years since I’ve done yoga, either at home or in a formal class setting. I participated in the Slow Flow yoga class taught by Trey. It was the perfect way to reacquaint myself to yoga, but I still got a workout and challenge like I never experienced in previous yoga classes. (So don’t let the «slow flow» name fool you!) It seems as though the class is geared towards those with at least some basic yoga experience (i.e., very little instruction on each pose and the proper way to maintain the pose), but I still felt it was easy enough to follow, and Trey was observant and kind enough to provide direct feedback to me when I was struggling with remembering certain poses or not doing them properly. On that note, Trey is a helpful instructor with a calming presence and a great sense of humor. Overall, the studio is very clean, soothing and well-​appointed, and the staff are friendly and professional. I will definitely return!

Ok, I’m über impressed with Core yoga. I’ve only taken a few classes so far, but each one and each instructor has been excellent all around. The space is open and bright. Vibe is focused and present. Ez check in and oh, Core is just plain fantastic, which is good motivation for sure to get my yoga practice going again.
One note of caution: parking is a pain, so ride your bike there.

I’ve taken lots of yoga around the world and this place is one of my favorites. The space is beautiful (go near the windows and you can see the lake peaking out of the curtains if you’re bent just right!). It used to be a brothel, and is amazingly beautiful.
Classes are great as are the special events. Ali S is the best. First class is free and they have specials and free classes once in a while. Get on their email list for details.
They also have rooms where they offer Thai massage which I haven’t tried here yet but will soon!

OK, why on earth does this place have four dollar signs on it? I pay 11 bucks a class which I think is pretty reasonable. This needs to be changed.
I love this yoga studio. The large open space in a third floor loft on Brady Street is the ideal place to practice. Couldn’t say more about it.
Also, the teachers are so good I’m seeing psychadelic colors when I close my eyes. I don’t think there is an additional change for such an experience. Marty’s Yin classes on Monday and Wednesday is like a combination of a massage and taking the perfect drug all at once.
Also, the power vinyasa is something I gotta work myself up to, but it was incredibly good.
Additional benefit is that this is a community with lots of events, special gatherings, and retreats if you’re interested and wanna take things to the next level.
Give this place a shot if you wanna do yoga. You won’t be disappointed.

Ascend many stairs
Before reaching greater heights
inside your body

Finally found a moment to go check out this studio — WOWIE…WOW! I’m hooked… THIS is my new yoga community. I love the classes here, and the fact that the students who attend are almost ALL regulars, they welcome you in like family here – very friendly!
Before finding this space I had honestly lost faith in the Milwaukee yoga scene. This studio is the REAL DEAL. Doesn’t feel like a studio… feels like a home. Beautiful (actually flipping gorgeous) space, kind, loving, knowledgeable teachers/​staff, the owner is a gem. They just started offering TEACHER TRAINING as well, and I can’t wait to see how this changes the Milwaukee yoga climate. Have a teacher who is training not because it brings in $$ but because of her passion for the yoga practice is so refreshing.
*On a side note in response to a couple reviews about the repetitive nature of the vinyasa class… traditional/​true vinyasa yoga IS repetitive… these reviewers probably are not studying with teachers who are true to tradition and how movement effects neurology. *
Power Vinyasa in a mildly warmed room if you want to sweat (and sweat you will), Yin Yoga (love!) if you are new to yoga or want a gentle practice, and everything in between. There is something for EVERYONE here!
Other features:
*first class is free!
*showers + kitchenette
*boutique
*amazing workshops (plus live music and KIRTAN!)
*Thai bodywork (great pracitioners), Reiki, Swedish Massage, Myofacial Release… can you say bodycare central?
*plenty of props
*it’s on the third floor, all stairs (great warmup for class but not handicap accessible)
Thank you to Shayne for what you have created. THIS STUDIO HAS SET THE BAR that all studios will be reaching for…
Namaste.

Going to Core Essence feels like you’re walking into someone’s house to take a private class. I’ve never experienced anything like it. Those used to more fitness/​gym yoga might be a little intimidated at first, but don’t be. Gabi M and I took the 9:45 a.m. Power Vinyasa class on Friday and it was very welcoming (plus, the first class is free!).
The studio takes up most of the space upstairs, and it’s gorgeous. It’s bright and airy and just perfect for a morning yoga class. In addition, there’s a smaller room for Thai massage, a shower if you need it and a living room/​kitchen of sorts, where you can hang out before class. I forgot my water bottle, so I was invited to grab a glass from their kitchen and just fill up a glass. It was so simple, yet so NOT standard among other studios who want to sell you a drink or a new reusable water bottle instead.
Everyone is asked to leave their shoes, coats and belongings hanging in the back hall. I felt like it was probably secure back there, but I ended up putting my purse in a cubby inside the studio because I was a nervous first-​timer from out of town who needs her phone and ID to survive.
You can borrow their mats for free, which is nice. However, they do not offer towels at all. I found myself slipping a lot on my mat, so I’d recommend bringing your own Yogitoes or regular towel. Whatever you prefer.
Now, the yoga. I got a good workout and I liked that it was heated, but the only constructive criticism is with the actual flow. The series was more repetitive than I’m used to, so I ended up off-​roading towards the end of class, so to speak. The other thing was that was challenging about the flow for me is that almost all of the class was spent in poses that required us to be looking toward the ground. Especially in a morning class, I feel like more standing poses would’ve been more energizing. Both these things are personal preference obviously — I still got a nice workout.
The highlight for me was the live music during class, because it feels so unique to this studio. It was pretty amazing, especially when the instructor joined in during the final relaxation. It seems like it would be hard to find that balance between the music and the yoga, but this didn’t overwhelm the actual practice at all. I loved it!

First class is free!
I’ve been struggling to get back into a good groove with practicing yoga ever since the baby was born, so I love when I can squeeze in classes when I’m traveling. It’s also fun to check out new studios. So, when Annie D and I looked into classes that were feasible with our Friday schedule and not too far from our Milwaukee hotel, we came across Core Essence Yoga and specifically were drawn to Marty’s Power Vinyasa class.
We found the studio easily and were very pleased to learn that the first class is free and they offer clean mats for no charge as well. Score!
The class was a bit repetitive for both of us as far as the asanas and flow went, but the live music was amazing and the studio is clean and spacious. I got a good workout and would definitely return to try some of the other classes if/​when I find myself in Milwaukee again. The studio also offers workshops, thai yoga massage, flying yoga, reiki, and more.
If you’re looking for a place to practice yoga in Milwaukee, Core Essence is worth checking out!

Hands down, my favorite yoga studio ever. Each instructor brings their own different voice and flow to every class. I’ve never had a class that has been the same.
The studio is beautiful, peaceful, and calming. Great class variety and times during day. The classes are NEVER crowded, always plenty of mat space (however, sometimes they do run a tad longer than advertised, not that I’m complaining!)
Since practicing at Core Essence, I have been able to take my practice to the next level beyond any of the classes I used to take in Chicago. The smaller class size and dedicated instructors are wonderful, and I look forward to going every week.

(Yoga experience only)
Great instructors, variety of classes. The schedule is posted online, which is awesome. You can also «drop in», so no need to commit to weeks of yoga with a package deal. Now, that being said, drop ins are expensive $ 15.
This place offered a groupon/​living social deal twice, then it is extremely affordable.
Really enjoyed Lunar reset last night. I’ve also done slow flow and power vanyasa in the past, which were also great.

This place was amazing. As a college student, I quickly become out of touch with what my body needs, but from the moment I stepped into the studio, I was relaxed and calm. I’d been to a few yoga classes in Minnesota before, but this was my first in a real studio and it was absolutely delightful! The room was huge, warm, and simply decorated.
My friend and I took the Yin & Yang class – only $ 10 for students! It was a good balance of strengthening and stretching, and we felt incredible afterwards.
If you’re looking for a place to start your yoga practice or continue, Core Essence is a great place to go.

This yoga studio will meet all your physical and spiritual requirements of yoga.
The space is gorgeous — very open and light, exactly how you should feel during your practice. (Or how I want to feel at least!)
The instructors are amazing — patient but will challenge you in your practice.
The rates are very affordable compared to other studios of this caliber.

This has to be one of the most beautiful yoga studios that I have ever seen in my life. The space is just beautiful. Full of warmth and character.
The Thai Massage here is off the chain. After just one session I couldn’t believe how much more flexible I was.
The owner here is an awesome person and offers great customer service.