Yoga On the Banks

Yoga on the Banks is a must-​do for any local yogi, tourist or individual looking to give yoga a try. There is something that makes you breathe a little deeper and embrace the moment a little more when practicing yoga in the serenity of the outdoors. The trail, river and skyline are your backdrop and your «studio» is the lawn on the Schuylkill River Trail at Locust Street.
Classes are scheduled seasonally on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am, and Tuesdays at 7am and again at 6:30pm. Since the classes are outside, their Facebook page will post any weather related changes to the schedule.
The classes are donation based and $ 5-​$ 10 is recommended. Beginning in 2015, Shake Shack will be sponsoring the third Saturday of each month and will be providing vouchers for a free post-​class beverage for all attendees.
By nature of the classes being outdoors in a non-​private setting, there will be other things going on around you. Runners will continue to run, bikers will continue to bike, smokers will continue to smoke and dogs will continue to bark. Some of those distractions are both nice, but distractions at the same time. If you aren’t looking to get a total Zen (or perhaps you are good at blocking everything else out) this is something to note.
My first Yoga on the Banks experience was April 18^th and boy was it packed. They did a great job of handling the crowds and had instructors at various points on the lawn. Kathryn Blessington led the north end of the lawn and did a great job communicating instructions from the front of the group on the south end of the lawn. I’m not sure if the class had been planned out to a tee beforehand, but she was able to make sure everyone in the back had the same great experience as everyone in the front. The class was Vinyasa style at a beginner/​intermediate level. To be honest, I’m glad it wasn’t any hard because that would have been way to challenging on the slanted and uneven ground.
Street parking is available off the trail if you leave yourself spot hunting time and a fence is available to lock up a bike. Of course you can always run or walk there for some extra exercise.
I look forward to many more opportunities to take in the scenery and practice yoga in such a unique setting.

Another day, another free Yoga class. (This one is at 11 on Saturdays on the Schuylkill banks by Locust.) Ahhh summer in Philly. I’ve had this on my calendar since Be Well Philly announced it in March and I finally checked it out for the 4^th of July weekend. It was a smaller class than I think is normal for them (I creep on them on their facebook page so I know these things) The instructor (Ashley?) was great and her mic was audible but not booming or static-​y. The two people helping with assists were great too. The class was a bit easier than Dhyana’s regular classes, but still fun and challenging.
Tips:
— bring cash for the tip jar.
— get there a few minutes before 11 to get a spot.
— wear sunscreen on your nose and shoulders so you don’t get awkward sports bra tan. (Personal experience here)
— be OK with being looked at. People will be running/​biking/​segwaying (lol) by and checking you out in your downward dog.
— pick a spot that’s not on a slant or rocks.
— pick a spot that’s going the same direction as everyone else.
— don’t forget to dust the little bugs of your mat before you roll it up.
— bring water, it gets hot!
— join the facebook group for updates.
Check it out!