By Brooke: The Top 3 Experiential Yoga Classes in the Philadelphia Area
Yoga sets the perfect stage for a unique experiential workout. That’s because yoga is more than simply moving from one pose to the next. The practice invites us to slow down, tune in and experience our bodies and our surroundings in a more intentional way. Yoga can easily be adapted to different spaces, settings, props and sensory experiences. From outdoor flows that immerse you in nature to classes that incorporate props to challenge balance, experiential yoga puts a fresh spin on a familiar practice by adding an unexpected element to the workout.
I’m always looking for unique yoga classes in Philly and the surrounding areas, and over the years, I’ve had plenty of wow moments on my yoga mat. Some of my favorite yoga experiences happen outside the traditional studio setting, where the scenery, season and environment become part of the practice.
So, if you’re looking for unique yoga experiences near Philadelphia, here are a few of my favorites. Some are offered seasonally, while others return throughout the year. I’d recommend signing up for one or two—not because you need another workout to check off your list, but because experiential yoga is about immersing yourself in the experience of yoga.
YOGA AND FLOWERS
Whatever the Season— Yoga in the Tulips, Sunflowers or Lavender
If flowers are involved, sign me up! Flower-filled classes combine the familiar benefits of yoga with the relaxing experience of practicing outdoors. Instead of staring at a studio wall, you’re surrounded by color, fresh air and the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Practicing among flowers can also make it easier to focus on your surroundings, your breath and the present moment. Spending time outdoors has been known to boost your mood and improve your mental well-being.
These classes may require a bit of a drive, but that’s part of the appeal. Some of my favorite yoga experiences have taken me beyond the city into some truly breathtaking locations.
And I love the seasonality of this type of yoga class: tulips in the spring; lavender fields in the summer; and sunflowers in the fall (I still haven’t found that winter wonderland class yet— but I’m looking!)
Be Inspired Yoga holds seasonal Yoga in the Tulips and Yoga in the Sunflowers at Dalton Farms in Swedesboro, New Jersey. In this class, you’ll flow among rows and rows of flowers, creating a setting where the environment becomes part of the practice. The swaying colors and open-air surroundings provide a completely different type of meditation. The weather is always a part of class too, but the wind and rain often add to — and not take away from— the experience. Class doesn’t end with shavasana. Depending on the event, participants can also pick flowers at the farm and bring a little bit of the yoga experience home.
There are two upcoming opportunities to flow in the sunflower fields with Be Inspired Yoga. One on 10/1 at Bil Dole Farms during sunset, and one on 10/21 at Dalton Farms. Reserve your spot ahead of time.
In the summer months of June and July, Movement Designed to Feel Good holds weekly Lavender Yoga perched on top of the sprawling lavender fields of Warwick Furnace Farm. The ground may be uneven. The insects are probably plentiful. The weather will be unpredictable. And that’s exactly what makes this such a unique yoga experience. Rather than trying to eliminate every distraction, outdoor yoga asks you to embrace your surroundings. You’re practicing with the sights, sounds, smells and sensations of the farm around you—and with sweeping views of acres of farmland. The result is a yoga class that feels less like a traditional workout and more like an immersive wellness experience.
Lavender season has passed for the year, so there are currently no upcoming classes. But if this is on your summer yoga bucket-list, check back in May when registration for the season typically opens.
YOGA AND BALANCE
Looking to improve your balance? Add a full cup to your yoga practice! At least that’s yoga instructor Julie Miller’s philosophy with her beer yoga and coffee yoga classes. And surprisingly, it works. I tried it— and only spilled my cup of beer before class started! Beer yoga is a playful way to kick your practice up a notch. The beverage isn’t just something you enjoy after class; it’s actually part of the practice. You’ll pose with it, reach for it and yes, even balance it on your head. Balancing in a Warrior III is one thing. Balancing in a Warrior III while holding a full cup of beer, is a whole other challenge! But there’s something about focusing so intently on not spilling your drink that forces you to concentrate on your balance. Whether your cup contains beer or coffee, the unexpected prop adds a whole new dimension to a familiar yoga practice.
You can try it for yourself at upcoming classes. Julie hosts Yoga + Coffee at Mad Anthony Wayne Cafe, while Beer Yoga takes place at Locust Lane Brewery. Your first cup is included with your ticket. Cheers!
Want to really test your balancing skills? Take your yoga practice onto a paddleboard. Floating yoga with Aqua Vida is one of the city’s most memorable yoga experiences. Each week, Christine Bosch leads a group of eager yogis through a 60-minute sunset yoga class in the pool on the 28th floor of AKA University City.
Balance is obviously the biggest player in this unique yoga practice, but the stunning Philadelphia skyline views are equally as important.
And yes, you might get wet. While you don’t need to wear a bathing suit, I’d recommend embracing the possibility of falling in. Once you’re already wet, you’ll be much more carefree on the board. Regular classes take place Monday evenings, but these Philadelphia floating yoga classes tend to sell out quickly. Keep an eye out for the next round of class registration and sign up early.
YOGA AND THE ENVIRONMENT
What happens when you take your yoga mat 50 feet above ground? You get Yoga in the Treetops. And not just any trees. This yoga class takes place in the middle of the Out-on-a-Limb exhibit at Morris Arboretum. The restorative yoga class invites you to breath with the trees that surround your yoga mat.
The main tree supporting the exhibit—and the yoga class—is approximately 275 years old! As I lay on my yoga mat that late-summer evening, I thought about the age of the tree surrounding me. Imagine everything that this tree has experienced. I’m telling you: the meditation in these unique experiential yoga classes just hits differently.
The class doesn’t simply happen to take place among the trees. The trees become part of the practice. There are readings about trees, plenty of Tree Poses, and opportunities to reflect on the massive, ancient structures that give us life. Being surrounded by trees also gave me a completely different perspective on my yoga poses. Instead of looking at the ceiling of a yoga studio, I was looking up into the most beautiful canopy of leaves.
My favorite part was beginning and ending the practice in the canopy-like netting of the exhibit, which suspends you high above the ground. The last time I had visited the arboretum and this particular exhibit, I was there with my oldest daughter when she was 4 (she’s now 16, so do the math). I remember her leaping into the netting and tumbling around while I nervously watched my firstborn floating carefree high in the treetops. During this yoga class, it was my turn. The netting is optional — there’s a walkway surrounding the trees that provides a more stable surface for your practice. But if you ask me, “legs up the tree” and a suspended shavasana are both musts.
You’re in luck. There’s one more Yoga in the Treetops this season. When the October class takes place, the sun will be setting just as the class winds down, letting Mother Nature dim the lights for your final resting pose.
And honestly, it’s hard to imagine a better setting to close out your practice.
IMO, the best yoga experiences prove there’s far more to a yoga class than a mat and a block. From beer yoga and floating yoga to flower-field flows and treetop meditation, experiential yoga offers a different way to explore a familiar practice. These classes aren’t necessarily about getting the deepest stretch or burning the most calories. They’re about stepping outside the usual yoga studio, paying attention to your surroundings and allowing the setting to become an integral part of your practice.