An architectural curiosity, the 93-year-old Parkway Theatre at 2736-A N. Clark St. now hosts Bikram Yoga, the authentic 105° F yoga series for beginners and experts alike.
According to Joseph DuciBella, co-author of “The Theatres of Chicago: The Complete Illustrated History,” the Parkway Theatre opened in 1911, succeeding the nearby Orsin (1909) and preceding the much larger Covent Garden (1916) and yet larger Diversey/Century (1925). The Parkway outlasted them all by adapting to the times.
The Parkway opened as a vaudeville house and continued to host live shows even after converting to films. It endured as Chicago’s last remaining "traditional grind movie house” until 1973, when it converted to mainstream, week-long runs of current fare. In 1979, it earned citywide attention by offering different daily classics, cult classics, foreign films and double features. That attention waned: five years later, the Parkway closed for an office/retail conversion. Various enterprises in the upper level, including a gym and salon, proved short lived. The space then sat unused for years.
Over the past year, yogis painstakingly removed a century’s worth of grime; preserved and restored original plaster moldings, terra cotta, and brick; and inserted a yoga room and locker rooms into the Parkway Theatre’s magnificent space. In the hot room, aspirants now practice Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class, a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises practiced over 90 minutes in a room heated to 105 F. Beginners are welcomed to practice at their own pace: no experience is necessary. All instructors are certified by Bikram Choudhury at his nine-week, intensive teacher training in Los Angeles, CA.
The high heat promotes stretching, detoxification and vitality. The precise yoga sequence (26 poses and two breathing exercises) thaws out stiff beginners and challenges flexible experts. A Certified Bikram Method Instructor leads every class. Full shower and changing facilities are available.
Currently the new studio offers 24 classes a week: 6 a.m. Tuesdays & Thursday; 9 a.m. every day of the week; 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 5 p.m. every day of the week; 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Class credits are interchangeable between Bikram Yoga Chicago Studios—Lincoln Park (2736-A N. Clark St.) or Wicker Park (1344 N. Milwaukee Ave.).
First time visitors need not pre-register. Simply arrive 15-30 minutes before any scheduled class; private instruction is available by appointment. Bring a yoga mat, towel and water bottle or rent/buy at the studio. First week is $20; a single class is $15; discount packages are popular.
For more information, visit bycic.com or call (773) 348-9642.
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