"Thank you for a beautiful practice on Sunday! I am still thinking about how special you are! The words you spoke were inspiring & thought provoking (as well as relaxing). The adjustments were amazing & your kind, compassionate fun energy made it an exceptionally radiant practice!
I am happy to know the pretty, bright face behind all those yoga Chicago articles!"
-M.T.

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- Sunday morning Dharma Yoga now meets at Sweet Pea's Studio. Same class, same time. New venue. Free street parking! Our current six-week session is April 8 to May 27; the next is June 3 to July 9 ($85; no class May 20 or July 1). Drop-ins are welcome ($17). Guest Pass and PassBook coupons are not accepted. Learn more and sign up here.

Private Lessons and Workplace Yoga Classes
Interested in private yoga sessions? Yoga at work?

Cara offers private yoga lessons in the yoga studio or at your home or workplace, for any level of student. Students with busy schedules, injuries or specific goals will benefit from a yoga practice that begins exactly where you are. Pure beginners are welcome!

In addition to teaching postures, Cara can help you develop a home asana (postures), pranayama (breathing) or meditation practice - or work with you on a particular pose or area of the body. She can design a program for you for general fitness and health. She can also teach you how to work around an existing injury.

Cara specializes in yoga sequences designed to help reduce lower back pain, sinus headaches, anxiety, stress, and symptoms of depression. She can also advise you on diet and lifestyle.

Packages and sliding scale are available. Please call 773-315-5489 or e-mail carajepsen [at] yahoo [dot] com for more info.

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DHARMA YOGA CLASSES
Cara is the first and only teacher in Chicago to complete both of Sri Dharma Mittra's trainings. From him, she received the name Yogi Kali Om

-Sun 10-11:30 at Sweet Pea's Studio, 3717 N. Ravenswood (suite 213). Our current six-week session is April 8 to May 27 (no class May 20). The next six-week session is June 3 to July 8 (no class July 1). Sessions are $85; drop-ins are $17. Sign up and learn more here.

-Thurs 7:30-9AM at Lincoln Park Athletic Club. (Non-members may drop in for $25 or buy passes in packs of 10 ($200) or 20 ($360)

-Thurs 5:45-7:15PM at YogaNow Gold Coast (Level I-III)

ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA CLASSES
Cara spent over 12 months studying directly with the source of ashtanga vinyasa yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and does her best to transmit the system as she learned it from him.

-Mon-Wed-Fri 6:30-8am
Ashtanga Self Practice (Level I-III)
YogaNow, 742 N. LaSalle Ave. 312-280-9642
(no class on full or new moon)

-Mondays 6:30-7:45pm
Ashtanga Half Primary Series (Level I-III)
DePaul's Ray Meyer Center, 2236 N. Sheffield, 773-325-6563
(pre-registration required)

-Tuesdays 11-12:30pm & Sundays 4-5:30PM
Ashtanga Primary Series (Level II/III)
East Bank Club, 500 N. Kingsbury, 312-527-5800
(Cara teaches on alternating Sundays; membership required)

-Tuesdays 5:30-7pm, Thursdays 6-7:30am
Ashtanga Primary / Half Primary (Level II/III)
Lincoln Park Athletic Club, 1019 W. Diversey,773-529-2022
(Non-members may drop in for $25 or buy passes in packs of 10 ($200) or 20 ($360))

-Wednesdays 6:30-8pm
Ashtanga 3/4 Primary Series (Level I-III)
Lincoln Square Athletic Club, 4662 N. Lincoln, 773-529-2023
(Non-members may drop in for $25 or buy passes in packs of 10 ($200) or 20 ($360))

CARA'S TEACHING SCHEDULE

SUNDAY
-10-11:30AM Dharma Yoga Level I-III, Sweet Pea's Studio, 3717 N. Ravenswood (suite 213)
-4-5:30PM Ashtanga Half Primary Series, East Bank Club (every other Sunday). (Level II-III)

MONDAY
-6:30-8AM Ashtanga Self-Practice, YogaNow Gold Coast (Level I-III)
-6:30-7:45PM Ashtanga Basics+ DePaul Univ. (pre-registration required; Level I-III)

TUESDAY
-11-12:30 Ashtanga Primary Series, East Bank Club (Level II-III)
-5:30-7PM Ashtanga Primary Series, LPAC (Level II-III)

WEDNESDAY
-6:30-8AM Ashtanga Self-Practice, YogaNow Gold Coast (Level I-III)
-6:30-8PM Ashtanga Half Primary Series, LSAC (Level I-III)

THURSDAY
-6-7:30AM Ashtanga Basics, LPAC (Level I-II)
-7:30-9AM Dharma Yoga LPAC (Gentle, Level I-II) -5:45-7:15PM Dharma Yoga href="http://yoganowchicago.com/">YogaNow Gold Coast (Level I-III)

FRIDAY
-6:30-8AM Ashtanga Self-Practice, YogaNow Gold Coast (Level I-III)

Ashtanga Yoga is a challenging and dynamic series of poses linked together through coordinated breath and movement to create energy flow and an internal purifying heat. The rigorous sequence calms the mind and develops strength, balance, concentration and flexibility. In Ashtanga Self-Practice, students move through the various sequences at their own pace -- making it suitable for all levels.

Dharma Yoga I-II is a flowing classical yoga created by NYC-based yogi Sri Dharma Mittra and is suitable for students of all levels. Its foundation is a basic version of the flowing Shiva Namaskar sequence, which purifies the body, calms the mind and opens the hips and shoulders. Students are guided through the sequence according to their needs and abilities, and the emphasis is on practicing in a relaxed manner and feeling content. Class may conclude with a simple breathing exercise and brief meditation.

Dharma Yoga Level I-III adapts well to all level students; its foundation is Sri Dharma Mittra's challenging-yet-meditative Shiva Namaskar sequence, which purifies the body, calms the mind and opens the hips and shoulders. Most poses are repeated, and variations for each level are given. Each class concludes with a simple breathing exercise and brief meditation.