During the first week that Sara Ishaq began offering free yoga classes in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, only four women showed up. By the end of the week the room overflowed with more than 25 women.

Yoga's popularity has increased in the United States in recent years. Indeed, a 2012 study from the magazine Yoga Journal showed that the number of Americans practicing yoga has soared from 15.8 million in 2008 to 30.4 million in 2012. This means that more than 8 percent of U.S. adults practice yoga and the largest two motivations are flexibility and general conditioning, the study showed.

But, it is clear that new interest in yoga is not just confined to the U.S.

Ishaq notes that she had never seen a yoga studio anywhere in Yemen. Furthermore, few gyms allow women and exercising outdoors is not socially accepted, she added.

"Women can't exactly put on their running shoes and go outside so yoga appeals to them because it is a full package, they just need a mat and comfortable clothing," Ishaq explained to CBS News.

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The Yemeni women in Ishaq's class range from 20 to 50 years old, and many of them came to yoga with weight loss aspirations. Yet, after class many said they felt calm and possessed a new sense of ownership over their bodies. Yoga provided an outlet for physical and mental restoration that these women could not find anywhere else.

Ishaq was 13 years old when she began suffering from severe migraines that left her bedridden for up to three days every week. She was living in Yemen and after high school, moved to Scotland where the migraines persisted with agonizing intensity.

"Doctors came to the house and gave me morphine and explained that the problem was genetic," Ishaq says. But the morphine and other medicines did not help.

She first discovered yoga after finding videos in her aunt's Washington D.C. home and began following their instruction. She also began running, and suddenly her physical and mental health turned a corner for the better. Her migraines largely subsided the more she did yoga.

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Yoga being used for social change in Yemen, Kenya

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - April 12, 2013) - CorePower Yoga, a yoga brand with a commitment to making yoga accessible to all, opened itsWest Loop studio in Chicago on Friday, April 12th. This marks the 74th studio opening nationwide for CorePower Yoga and 15th studio in the Chicago market.

Whether you're new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, the West Loop studio offers a variety of yoga class styles for all levels.This includes CorePower Yoga's dynamic heated Power Yoga in beginner to advanced formats, Yoga Sculpt, and Hot Power Fusion. In addition to classes, the West Loop studio will offer Yoga Teacher Training Programs, as well as Lifestyle Programs, such as boot camps and wellness programs to complement yoga and provide students with cross-training opportunities.

The West Loop studio is home to three large yoga rooms and features a range of amenities including changing rooms, showers, and private lockers. A full retail boutique will showcase men's and women's activewear, as well as yoga and lifestyle accessories.

"We have been anxiously awaiting this day and are so excited that it's finally here," says Sarah Wallace-Callahan, Studio Manager of the West Loop studio. "The West Loop community has been incredibly welcoming and we can't wait to share our love for yoga with them!"

Students who are new to CorePower Yoga will receive one week of unlimited free yoga classes. A variety of membership package options are also available.

West Loop, located at 1313 West Randolph Street near the popular Restaurant Row, is one of several CorePower Yoga studios to open in 2013. In addition to the West Loop studio, CorePower Yoga opened its Streeterville studio in Chicago on March 22nd, and both the Encino studio in Los Angeles and the Georgetown studio in Washington, D.C. on March 29th. CorePower Yoga has several more studios in the works for 2013 in cities that include Boston, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and more. Click here for further information regarding CorePower Yoga studio openings.

About CorePower Yoga

CorePower Yoga strives to increase awareness and widespread adoption of yoga by making yoga accessible to everyone through a variety of yoga styles for beginners and more advanced yoga students. The company's unique and physically challenging style of heated power yoga combines energy, music, breath, movement, and community to create a one-of-a-kind yoga experience. CorePower Yoga classes encompass a wide variety of poses, and are taught by certified yoga instructors. In addition to yoga classes, CorePower Yoga offers transformative integrated Wellness Programs and Yoga Teacher Training Programs to empower students to live a health-focused and extraordinary life. CorePower Yoga is committed to sustainable practices, and uses recyclable and reusable products, selects sustainable fixtures and materials for studios, and maintains recycling and waste management programs. CorePower Yoga's climate-controlled environments utilize the latest technology to efficiently heat its yoga rooms. CorePower Yoga was founded in 2002 and has over 70 studios in 10 states. For more information, visit http://www.corepoweryoga.com or download a press kit here.

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CorePower Yoga Opens 74th Studio