Sattva Yoga Spa: Hot, Cold, and Calm at Rockford’s Wellness Gem

This must be how Alice felt when she first stepped into Wonderland. Behind a seemingly ordinary door at Edgebrook Shopping Center in Rockford, Illinois, lies an extraordinary wellness escape and yoga studio unlike any other - Sattva Yoga Spa.

As I entered the beautifully designed community lounge, it felt more like a cozy family room in a luxury villa in Bali than a typical yoga studio. No register in sight, no yoga pants for sale—was this the right place? It was as if I’d stumbled upon a Six Senses destination spa hidden in a mall, like a speakeasy retreat. 

We were the first guests to arrive this morning. I poured myself a cup of mint tea from the tea bar, glanced at the yoga library, and sank into the plush couch as we waited for our 8 AM hot yoga class. In fact, I wouldn’t mind staying here the whole day.

In this article, we explore: 

• The Unique Yoga Experience at Sattva
• The benefits of infrared hot yoga
• Ally's journey and diverse yoga background
• The inspiration behind Sattva's unique 'neighborhood wellness retreat' concept
• Sattva's chakra-inspired studio layout
• Combining yoga with high-end spa elements
• How to spend a perfect Spa day at Sattva
• Decision to replace retail with a welcoming community space
• The role of silent meditation "cave" at Sattva
• Sattva's approach to inclusivity in yoga
• The hot and cold therapy experience
• Tips for creating a wellness sanctuary at home
• Couples Spa Retreat

The Unique Yoga Experience at Sattva Wellness Retreat

I was pleasantly surprised to find that we didn’t even need to bring our own yoga mats. Everything we needed for our morning class was already laid out in the yoga room. What is this place? All I needed to do was refill my teacup and land on a fresh yoga mat—and it’s Manduka, one of my favorite yoga mat makers!

Another discovery: infrared heated yoga! Typically, I’m not a big fan of hot yoga, but this experience was very different. Instead of the traditional blown heat common in hot yoga classes, Sattva uses infrared panels. They emit radiant heat from the ceiling that feels like basking in the sunshine without being overwhelming.

It is therapeutic, it is detoxifying: "All the benefits that you would get from an infrared sauna you get in this hot yoga class," Ally Ubiparipovic, the founder of Sattva Yoga Spa, explained.

At the end of the class, a cold eucalyptus towel was placed by each mat. It felt heavenly on the face and around the neck as we relaxed into the most luxurious savasana. What a treat!

After a deeply soothing and relaxing 1.5-hour yoga session with Kimmy, we sat down for tea and a conversation with Ally, a creator, yogini, and native Rockfordian. In fact, the entire teaching staff at Sattva is also born and raised in Rockford.

Blending Yoga, Community and Wellness: Ally's Founding Journey

Ally has completed several yoga teacher training courses over the past 10 years in Costa Rica, Southeast Asia, and the U.S., most recently a Sivananda-style training. She has also trained in Shamanic and Usui Reiki with teachers in Bali and Mexico, and studied astrology with Debra Silverman. This diverse educational background has shaped her into the community leader and inspiring woman she is today.

The concept of Sattva Yoga was born out of Ally's love for spas and her desire to create a space that offers more than just yoga and treatments. "I love going to spas myself," she admits with a smile. This passion led her to incorporate spa elements like cold eucalyptus towels, inspired by her visits to renowned spa retreats in Wisconsin.

But Sattva is more than just a yoga studio with spa touches. It's a neighborhood retreat and spa where community and connection are at the heart of the experience.

The studio's layout, resembling a chakra system, guides visitors from the communal lobby (the crown and throat chakras) to the heart center (the main yoga studio) and finally to the root chakra, home to the spa and healing services.

The Art of Yoga Retreat and Spa with Ally Ubiparipovic

MM: What would be the ideal way to spend a perfect day at Sattva Yoga Spa?

Ally: I recommend starting in the silent meditation room to center yourself before a yoga session. After yoga, take a cold plunge, soak in the hot tub, and indulge in a spa or wellness service. You could easily spend a whole day here, transitioning from yoga to the spa, to the sauna and ending with meditation or relaxing in the lobby with a cup of tea or a book from our Yoga Book Club collection.

Related: 15 transformational books on mindfulness according to meditation teachers

How did you get into yoga?

I started in college. I grew up playing sports and being on teams. I found yoga at the gym for exercise but quickly realized there was much more to it than just physical activity. I found a great yoga studio that hooked me, and after college, I went to Costa Rica for yoga teacher training. It was life-changing, and I’ve never looked back.

What was your experience with yoga teacher training like in Costa Rica?
(*During my time in Costa Rica on a surf and yoga retreat, I learned a lot about mindfulness and the art of just being by observing the most natural meditators on Earth—the sloths!)

My training was incredible. We spent four weeks in different locations, starting near a volcano [Arenal] and then moving to various coastal cities. We began in the rainforest, isolated and secluded, which was a beautiful cleansing experience.

Sattva Yoga Spa feels profoundly different from mainstream yoga studio franchises. What is your yoga philosophy?

"None of it is originally mine," Ally responds with a smile. My first teacher training in Costa Rica was Vinyasa style, which is pretty exercise-focused. Later, I found teachers who were more traditional and philosophy-based, from the Shivananda lineage. This classical style is the foundation of Sattva Yoga.

How did you come up with the concept of combining yoga with spa elements?

Honestly, I just love going to spas myself. Who doesn't, right? Those little touches, like the cold eucalyptus towels, are inspired by wellness resorts and spas I’ve visited in Wisconsin, like Sundara Spa* in the Dells. They have these hot and cold therapy rooms with cold eucalyptus towels next to the sauna, which is such a great experience.

*Sundara Spa has been named #1 Best Destination Spa of 2024 by Travel + Leisure.

I noticed there's no retail merchandise for sale at Sattva Yoga, which is another thing that sets it apart from commercial yoga studios. What inspired you to create a community space instead?

Partly because of COVID and partly because I felt people needed a place to gather and connect more than they needed more yoga pants. So, I did away with retail and created a gathering space, like walking into someone’s house with a big cozy couch and a dining room table.

We have member potlucks and live music nights where members can bring their own dinner, mingle, and listen to music. People keep coming back because they love being in this space.

Beyond Yoga: A Walk Through Chakra-Inspired Wellness Sanctuary

Can you tell us more about the unique layout of your yoga spa and how it enhances the experience?

The studio is designed like a chakra system. You enter through the communal lobby, representing the crown and throat chakras. The main studio is the heart center, where the inner work happens. The back of the house is the root chakra, focusing on nervous system healing with spa and wellness services. This layout invites people to start in a quiet, cozy space before moving to the main studio.

Walking through the long hallway to the yoga room did feel like passing through a portal, leaving behind daily agendas and arriving at a sanctuary where I can fully focus on my practice.

Yes, that was the goal!

I noticed a very relaxing meditation room on my way to yoga. What role does it play in Sattva's overall wellness experience??

The meditation room was initially planned as a private yoga space. But I realized that people needed a quiet place to transition back to reality after spa treatments. It’s a cave-like room lit by candles, perfect for letting go of the outside world. It became a necessity, providing a space for meditation, which is a crucial part of yoga practice.

Sattva yoga hosts free community classes like Monthly Peace Meditation and Teen Circles in this tranquil space.

Interestingly, during our conversation, a woman in her 60s popped into the community room to inquire about chair yoga or classes for seniors who enjoy yoga but are not very comfortable with group classes at mainstream studios. And that's such an important topic! 

There's a large audience interested in yoga's benefits but intimidated by group classes or commercial studios. It's understandable, as these spaces can sometimes feel competitive—not just in terms of asanas, like who can stand on their head, but also in terms of having the best yoga outfit.

How does Sattva Yoga create an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone?

For individuals dealing with a lot of trauma, stress, or emotional challenges that need processing, group yoga classes can feel intimidating. Many people worry about not being flexible enough or not fitting in. We start them in the back of the house and say, 'Come back here where it’s quiet and cozy, and you can be by yourself or with a practitioner.'

They receive personalized attention through Reiki sessions, spa wellness services, or astrology readings. When they are ready and comfortable, we welcome them to a group yoga class.

Thermal Wellness: Sattva's Signature Hot & Cold Spa

I cannot wait to try the Hot & Cold Plunge Spa! Cold therapy have become quite the buzz in recent years. Do you recommend starting with the cold plunge or the sauna?

I've heard researchers and enthusiasts have strong opinions on whether to start with the cold plunge or sauna. Ultimately, I believe it's a personal preference. I like to start in the hot soak tub and alternate between hot and cold, ending in the sauna.

My husband prefers to start in the sauna and end with the cold plunge, which keeps him energized all day. It’s about what feels right for you.

I like that you can reserve the Hot & Cold Plunge as a couples spa retreat!

Yes in the spa you're completely by yourself or with a loved one. Like you two are doing today, you can be in there together, which is a really nice experience for couples, as well as for friends and for family members. Or you can have it as a completely private experience and enjoy it solo.

Are there any other unique perks?

Lunch naps! We do have people come take a nap on their lunch break in the meditation room. When you're a member you have access to the space all day, perfect for a midday recharge! We're open from 6 am to 9pm, seven days a week. 

Lunch naps! Where do we sign up?

We offer a new student special on our official website.

Bring Sattva Home: Wellness Tips from Ally

What daily wellness tip would you like to share with our readers?

Slow down. Prioritize your wellbeing. Take small moments for deep breaths, hugs, sunshine, water, prayer. Look at the sky more often than you look at your screen. Health and happiness are built in the small moments.

What are some of your favorite yoga, meditation, or wellness products that can help recreate Sattva Yoga Spa's peaceful ambiance at home for personal practice?

The big secret is... you don't need anything at all! In fact, the less clutter the better.

Set aside a room, or a small corner of a room, to be your sacred, quiet space, and avoid using it for any other purposes.

Having a designated space to meditate or pray trains your mind to settle quickly as soon as you go there. Set up a cozy rug and a small altar table (it doesn't need to be fancy). A candle, a meaningful item that feels spiritual to you (a crystal, photo, piece of jewelry, etc.), some incense, and perhaps fresh flowers can be helpful altar items.

Related: Five best meditation cushions for your at-home practice

As you start to practice quieting the mind more often, your home will naturally become an outward reflection of your inner state. You'll find a natural desire to declutter and fill your home with items that bring you joy and peace, rather than chaos.

***

Hot and Cold Spa Experience: A Couples' Retreat

After the conversation, we strolled through Sattva Yoga's tranquil, chakra-inspired halls, leading us to the roots where the Hot & Cold Therapy Spa awaited. Fresh towels, plush robes, and herbal tea set the stage for an hour and a half of pure bliss that my partner and I shared.

We settled into a meditative flow, alternating between cold plunges, hot tub soaks, and steamy sauna sessions. A special touch: the sauna bench, shaped like a wave, perfectly hugged and contoured our bodies—a unique feature even for a sauna connoisseur like me.

Time flew by, and after one more round and a rinse in the luxurious rain shower, we headed to the meditation room to soak in all the goodness and reset before returning to the world, feeling very "Sattvic"—a state of being light, balanced and delightful in yoga philosophy.

Sattva Yoga Spa is located at 1615 North Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61107
(Edgebrook Mall)