Intro The Rogers Park & West Ridge Issue

History Borders and Boundaries From Indian treaties to the Cabbage Wars to World War II, the forces that shaped Rogers Park and West Ridge. By Bill Savage

Memoir The Savages of Time Sex columnist Dan Savage and his brother Bill on the lost landmarks of their childhood. By Dan Savage and Bill Savage

Memoir The Shovelers of North Mozart The West Ridge way: rest on Saturday, help your neighbor on Sunday. By Adam Langer

Politics MVP or Mope? Alderman Joe Moore, whipping boy for the 49th Ward Ben Joravsky Plus: Where Bloggers Dodge Beers By Mick Dumke

Street Level What to do and where to do it: Architecture, bars, classes, GLBTQ, music, parks and beaches, theater and dance, dining, shopping, art, and volunteering

More Neighborhood Guides Ukrainian Village/East Village South Loop Logan Square Uptown

Education & Recreation

February 5, 2009

Blue Beryl Dharma Center Lama Lobsang, who’s trained in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, shares his knowledge of Tibetan healing, yoga, and meditation at this nonprofit Buddhist meditation center.  1741 W. Columbia, 773-262-8191, lamalobsang.com or blueberyl.org, $15 yoga classes, $50 to join a healing circle, $10 suggested donation for meditation.

Extreme Kung Fu/Wushu Training Center Specializing in contemporary wushu, traditional kung fu, mixed martial arts, and kickboxing. Other classes include boxing, tai chi, and Filipino martial arts.  6525 N. Clark, 773-719-6488, extremekungfu.com, $100-$125 per month, try any class for $15 (subtracted from monthly dues if you sign up).

Gendai Budo Martial Arts Classes in karate, kobudo, tai chi, and mixed martial arts. Based in the traditions of Okinawan karate, this dojo stresses repetition of technique and kaizen, or continual improvement.  1333 W. Devon, 773-856-6200, gendaibudo.net, $10 per class, $60 per month.

Inner Metamorphosis University Classes include silent sitting, tribal belly dance, “guided inner letting go,” and “flowering of the heart;” international retreats are also offered. 1418 W. Howard, 773-262-1468, lifesurfing.org, $10-$12 per class or $140 a month, free intro to meditation every Wednesday at 6:30 PM.

J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture This furniture gallery offers woodworking classes and workshops on everything from inlay to furniture design to cabinetmaking.  1774 W. Lunt, 773-761-3311, furnituremaking.com, $100-$545.

Klotz Guitar Studio Eric Klotz, who’s taught guitar for over a decade, offers private lessons in jazz, rock, metal, funk, blues, R & B, and composition, in person or via webcam.  1310 W. Birchwood, 701-361-4684, klotzguitarstudio.com, $25-$40 per lesson.

Moonwater Healing Center Classes in energy healing and meditation, flower essences, and pre- and postnatal yoga, as well as therapies ranging from craniosacral bodywork to massage.  6960 N. Sheridan 1A, 773-793-3483, moonwaterhealing.com, $80-$90 per hour, package discounts available.

Performing Arts Limited Classes for all levels in acting, dance, music (voice, piano, guitar, and strings), and fitness (pilates and zumba). 2740 W. Touhy, (773)262-3262, performingartslimited.com, $45-$120 per month, package discounts available.

Philosophy Institute No prior knowledge of philosophy is necessary for the discussion-based classes at this nine-year-old institute, which cover thinkers from Nietzsche to Nagel. Spring classes start in May and run for eight weeks.  7447 N. Hoyne, 773-764-8926, thephilosophyinstitute.org, $140-$180.

Pilates Chicago Private and group pilates and yoga classes as well as workshops on topics like core anatomy and intensive mat training.  1220 W. Morse # 230, 773-274-2673, pilateschicago.net, $10-$60 per class, free pilates every Sunday at 5:30 PM.

Rogers Park Community Development Corporation This nonprofit organization offers free classes like “First Time Homebuyer Education” and “Landlord Training” for those considering buying a home. 1411 W. Lunt, 773-262-2290, rogersparkcdc.org.

Sweet Magic Studio Classes include yoga, belly dancing, and tai chi. There are also workshops in ayurveda and topics like “Posture, Psoas, and Positivity” and “Chakras, Meridians, and Moods.”  6960 N. Sheridan, 773-764-6488, yogakareena.com, $15 per class, $40 per workshop, discounts for multiple sessions.

Compiled by Hal Conick

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