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Heartwood Center

4.5 ★★★★★ 8 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in Evanston, Illinois

Tai chi studio Beginners welcome

Plan your first class

  • Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule heartwoodcenter.com — see the live class schedule and book
  • Phone +1 847-491-9858

Hours

Monday 9 am–7 pm
Tuesday 9 am–7 pm
Wednesday 9 am–7 pm
Thursday 9 am–7 pm
Friday 9 am–7 pm
Saturday 9 am–7 pm
Sunday 8 am–8 pm

Hours shift for holidays, workshops, and seasonal outdoor sessions — worth a quick check before a special trip, and class times can differ from the studio's front-desk hours.

The classes they run

Tai chi and qigong classes on the schedule at Heartwood Center, drawn from students' own reviews and the studio's info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧘 Meditation & Mindfulness 2 mentions

“It's a very beautiful, open, space and not only has various practitioners but also has regular Yoga and Tai Chi classes as well as Meditation and talks on Sundays.”

All studios that run meditation & mindfulness →

From the reviews

I've attended various programs at Heartwood and have always enjoyed my experience. The community at Heartwood is warm and welcoming and is always willing to open it's doors to new comers.

★★★★★ — Jenine, Dec 2014

It’s a center with different offices servicing acupuncture and meditation among some and it considered the front side entrance to the heartwood center. Lisa Meyerson is a licensed acupuncturist with focus on fertility. Extremely lovely down to earth lady, full of energy and love.

★★★★★ — Ahmed, Aug 2018

This is such a unique healing center! I have great experiences whenever I see a doctor or practitioner there. I highly recommend this place to anyone with an alternative view on healing!

★★★★★ — Sammy, Mar 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 8 reviews →

New to tai chi? Start at Heartwood Center

Heartwood Center comes up as a beginner-friendly studio, going by its listing and students' reviews. If you've never tried tai chi, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first session. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — the movements are slow and gentle, you set your own pace, and many can be done seated if standing is hard. Second, there's nothing to buy and nothing to keep up with — wear comfortable clothes and flat, flexible shoes, and simply follow along. Third, all ages and abilities really are welcome — ask whether there's a dedicated beginners or all-levels class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most studios are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first tai chi class at Heartwood Center

Nervous about walking into a tai chi class for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a gentle warm-up, then learning a few slow movements of the form, step by step — no pressure to get it perfect, and you can rest or sit whenever you need to. What to wear: loose, comfortable clothing you can move in, and flat, flexible shoes (some studios practice in socks or bare feet). What to bring: water, and that's about it — there's no equipment to buy. Arrive a few minutes early to say hello to the instructor and mention it's your first class. It comes together faster than you'd think — most people feel far more at ease by their second or third visit.

Tai chi is gentle and low-impact, but it's still exercise, and the health notes here are general information, not medical advice. If you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them to the instructor before class, and check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Where to find Heartwood Center

1818 Dempster St Ste 207, Evanston, IL60202

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Teach here or own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.