So what do Chicago women get into after work? Some women treat themselves to exercise camouflaged as “fun” at the Good Gyrrl Studio.
Located just steps away from picturesque Chinatown, Good Gyrrl offers pole dancing, sensuality classes, rump shaking and special events, says owner Relana Johnson, who is a graphic artist by day.
“A Good Gyrrl is good at everything, she’s the mom, the school teacher, she’s the executive, she can be anybody,” says Johnson. “… She knows how to be a lady in the streets and a vixen between the sheets.”
The space, with the obligatory pole room, and secluded massage therapy areas, has a tranquil atmosphere.
“This is where the magic happens, where Vixen School takes place, sensuality comes to life and the inner vixen is awakened,” Johnson states. “We do quite a bit; we have classes, girls’ night out events and surprise birthday parties. We’re always doing something to keep people coming through the space.
The studio hosted its grand opening recently, but Johnson has been teaching sensuality for years.
“We’ve been doing this very important work for five years. We’re definitely about community, sisterhood and wellness for women and, men, too. They are [also] affected by the things that are taught here,” she says.
Johnson hopes Good Gyrrl will have a far-reaching impact on the African American community’s health.
“Good Gyrrl has been a labor of love, one of passion, the passion behind us is fiery and our platform, we have two, [but] our main one is heart disease. That was a main motive for starting the company. Heart disease is the number one killer of [blacks] and we wanted to do something about it,” says Johnson, citing the fact that her mother, Leeta Liddell, who is a co-owner in the business and a regular participant in the classes, underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2000. –zondra hughes
Good Gyrrl Studio is located at 1200 w. 35th street in Chicago. For more info, visit www.goodgyrrl.com.
