Outdoor Yoga All Over the Place — And Lots More Fit Fun This Weekend

Rooftop yoga at Le Bok Fin | Photo by Josh Thornton

With the dog days of summer (hopefully?) behind us, fun, outdoor fitness options are really picking up around town. Take this weekend, for example: We’ve got runs, outdoor yoga sessions, and even an opportunity to learn to row on the Schuylkill. Check out our picks for how to stay busy (and then some) below. 

1. Boxers’ Trail 5K
When: Saturday, September 12th at 9:30 a.m.
Where: East Fairmount Park

Did you know heavyweight boxing champ Joe Frazier used to run the paths in East Fairmount Park to get ring-ready for his biggest fights? You’ll follow his training route on this wooded 5K trail run, which benefits East Fairmount Park and Mander Recreation Center. It’s $25 to participate.

2. Rooftop Yoga at Le Bok Fin
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 12th and 13th at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Bok Technical High School, 1901 South 9th Street, East Passyunk.

This weekend marks the end of the rooftop yoga series at South Philly’s so-to-be-developed Bok Technical High School. Since we first posted about it back in August, organizers have added a Saturday class to accommodate high demand. So this weekend, you can check out the view while you break a sweat one last time on either Saturday or Sunday (or both!) at 11:30 a.m. The classes last an hour, and there’s a suggested donation of $10. You need to bring your own mat and water. The doors to the building will be locked at 11:45, so make sure you’re on time. The Saturday instructor is Sara Ronsvalle, and on Sunday it’s Katharine Gould. By the way, Gould says she’ll host Sunday participants at her nearby house for mimosas after class, as an end-of-series celebration. Win!

3. Free Yoga at GreenFest
When: Sunday, September 13th from 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: Headhouse Row, on 2nd Street between Pine and South streets. Yoga will happen on the main stage at 2nd and South.

GreenFest Philly will celebrate its 10th year running on Sunday with all-day programming from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You’ll want to get there right when it opens to catch a free hourlong yoga class with DIG Yoga’s Alison Mungan. It’s suited for all levels, but you need to bring your own mat.

4. Yoga Flash Mob in Rittenhouse Square
When: Saturday, September 12th at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Meet at the 18th and Walnut Street entrance to the park.

Center City’s Maha Yoga is celebrating National Yoga Month with a yoga flash mob in Rittenhouse Square this weekend. The session will be a quick 15 minutes — there and gone in a flash, as flash mobs do — but instructors will lead you through an all-levels sequence to help promote yoga and wellness in Philly. Bring your own mat, unless you’re good with grass, and a ton of friends.

5. Philadelphia Undy Run
When: Saturday, September 12th at 9 a.m.
Where: MLK Drive

Boxers or briefs? Whichever you choose, your underwear is your running gear at this out-and-back 5K along MLK Drive. The event benefits the Colon Cancer Alliance. Day-of registration is $40.

6. Aniridia 5K
When: Saturday, September 12th at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Manayunk Towpath, beginning at the foot of the Fountain Street steps.

This third annual 5K benefits the Vision for Tomorrow Foundation, which raises awareness and funds research projects for a rare genetic eye condition called aniridia, which leaves sufferers with little or no irises. It’s organized by the Aniridia Running Club, a local group helmed by husband and wife duo Jim and Erica Murphy of Roxborough, whose daughter, Haley, was born with the condition. Run participants will receive an Aniridia Running Club tech shirt, beer koozie and drawstring bag. Registration starts at $15.

7. On-the-Water Rowing Class with RowZone Manayunk
When: Saturday, September 12th at 2 p.m.
Where: Meet at Bachelor’s Barge Club, Boathouse Row.

Stretch your legs on the Schuylkill at this on-the-water rowing class. The session will consist of a brief indoor session, equipment and terminology overview, and then you’ll head outdoors for about 90 minutes of water time. Prior rowing experience is not necessary. It’s $50 a person. Contact rowzonemyk@gmail.com or call the studio at 215-798-0175 to sign up.

8. Postnatal Pilates Workshop
When: Saturday, September 12th from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Where: Priya Hot Yoga, 1828 Callowhill Street, Fairmount.

Instructor Liz Rule will walk new moms through a 90-minute class designed to help strengthen the core and pelvic floor — areas of the body that are often difficult to re-tone after giving birth. You’ll leave with techniques to continue training on your own. Oh and, yes, babysitting is available during the class. (Hooray!)

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