The Quirkiest Yoga Spots in Philadelphia

The Bok Building was once a technical high school in South Philadelphia until a team of developers decided to transform it into a multi-purpose mammoth. Now, it’s home to a boxing gym, artist studios, and a bar (Bok Bar) on the roof. Bok Bar has an incredible view of the city and is occasionally the site of sought-after yoga classes. Sunset Chakra is the name of the class, which takes place occasionally during warm weather months. The teacher will often choose a theme, such as hip-hop beats, and classes are often ‘pay what you wish.’

Yoga in a cemetery? Why not? Founded in the 1800s, Laurel Hill Cemetery is considered a National Historic Landmark. It overlooks the river and is the resting place for some of Philadelphia’s former elite, including mayors, naval officers, singers, generals and authors. But when weather allows, local yoga teachers hold classes on the cemetery’s tranquil grounds. The class takes place on the first Saturday of every month from May until September.

There’s a chance that visitors may stumble across a yoga class at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as they move from masterpiece to masterpiece. Every Wednesday night, the museum offers pay-what-you-wish yoga classes. During the winter weather months, they take place right in the exhibition rooms; in summer, they happen outside on the lawn.

The Free Library of Philadelphia offers pop-up yoga events during the warm weather months. The classes take place on the terrace at the Parkway Central branch, which overlooks the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and museum district. Yogis can take in the view of the city’s skyline while settling into their Warrior 2.

Located in Fairmount Park, the Horticulture Center isn’t the first place people think of when they want to do yoga. However, during the winter months, the center opens its greenhouse to yogis. Participants can keep warm while still breathing in some fresh oxygen from the greenery. Doing yoga surrounded by tropical plants is a great way to beat the winter blues that falls upon Philadelphians every year.

Le Cat Cafe, located in Philadelphia’s Brewerytown, is indeed a café full of cats. They roam freely around the space and are all adoptable. Visitors can pay to spend an hour in the café, playing with and snuggling these rescue cats. On Monday nights, it hosts yoga with cats, a fun way to interact with some new, fuzzy friends.

Race Street Pier offers a unique yoga class where students have prime views of the water and the Ben Franklin Bridge. The classes are great for all levels and frequently happen during the warmer months.