Shelby Gushka doesn’t consider herself a yogi. But she is a fan of downtown Wilkes-Barre’s view of the Susquehanna River. Sometimes that brings her to the Riverfront Yoga Project, free summer Saturday classes outdoors at the Millennium Circle on River Street.
“It’s really different,” said Gushka, event and marketing coordinator for the Diamond City Partnership, which promotes and aids downtown Wilkes-Barre.
There are lots of regional opportunities to do yoga beyond studios and gyms. Taking it outside is just a start. Teachers offer yoga on rooftops, with wine, with art, with live music, with goats and more.
The Riverfront series, taught by a rotating slate of teachers, begins at 10 a.m. Find information at facebook.com/RiverfrontYogaProject.
Northeastern Pennsylvannia Philharmonic musicans accompany a previous rooftop yoga class. (Jaya Yoga Studio)
A previous rooftop Fourth of July yoga class to benefit the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. (Jaya Yoga Studio)
A yoga class set among the fields of Hope Hill Lavender Farm in Pottsville. (Yoga B Yoga)
A yoga class held in the gallery of the Hazleton Art League. (Lisa Molendini)
New this summer, Hazleton has its own series of free yoga in a park. Lisa Molendini, of Yoga Flow with Lisa Mo, runs the classes in CAN DO Community Park. The next two are scheduled for July 12 and Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m. Visit downtownhazleton.org for details.
Molendini, who has also taught at brunches, in greenhouses, poolside and at wine tastings, said the novel environments can be less intimidating than seeking out a studio or gym.
“I like to meet people where they are,” she said.
On the Fourth of July, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic string musicians will play while Jaya Yoga leads a class on the roof of the Marketplace at Steamtown parking garage, followed by treats from Maximum Zen Cafe.
The $20 class raises money for the Philharmonic’s outreach programs to youth and older people. Now in its 12th year, it usually raises more than $2,000 and attracts 120 or more people, said Philharmonic board of trustees President Carol Dembert. The fundraiser came from her own enjoyment of yoga.
Three Philharmonic musicians, Leah Valenches, Peter Brubaker and Gabriel Schaff, will play classical and spa-style music.
“It’s quiet and gentle and just complements being in a natural setting of doing yoga outside and escaping all of the stress of everyday life,” Dembert said.
The Fourth of July is chosen for the holiday atmosphere and because Philharmonic musicians are in the area for their traditional fireworks display concerts.
Arriving at 8:45 a.m. is recommended for the 9 a.m., one-hour class. In case of rain, the class moves to a lower level of the garage. Dembert said all ages turn out for the event. Walk-ins are welcome, but spots can be reserved through July 2 at nepaphil.org or by calling 570-270-4444.
Hilary Steinberg, owner of Jaya Yoga, often teaches outside her Clarks Summit studio. She has a series on the lawn of the Camelot Restaurant and Inn, also in Clarks Summit.
Like most one-time community yoga events, the class is beginner friendly.
Smokey Hollow Winery in Ringtown occasionally pairs yoga with wine as a way to draw customers.
“Everyone seems to enjoy it,” said owner Austin Hornberg.
Wine tastings are included in the $25 cost of a July 13 class. Molendini will teach the class, accompanied by a soundtrack of music related to wine. The winery is on social media at facebook.com/SmokeyHollowWinery.
Also in Schuylkill County, June 29 is the next of a series of classes among the lavender fields of Hope Hill Lavender Farm in Pottsville. Savasana, the resting period at the end of class, will be accompanied by a cool lavender towel. For information, visit yogabyoga.com. Classes are $28.
At Buttinhead Farms in Hunlock Creek, goats frolic among, and sometimes on, practitioners of goat yoga. Its website also mentions yoga with both pigs and emus.
On July 12, a Buttinhead Farms event called Relax Your Ass: Donkey Stretch and Restore involves rescue donkeys, plus snacks, with the class. The experience is $40. Find information at buttinheadfarms.com.
The Everhart Museum in Scranton has held yoga classes in its galleries. On June 28, teacher Mindy Hill will hold a flow class centered on gratitude, on the grounds of the museum. Museum admission following the class is included with the $10 fee. See everhart-museum.org/abundance-yoga.
The Valley Community Library in Peckville is hosting yoga classes by Hill on Wednesdays at 11:15 a.m., through Sept. 3. At $8 a class, the cost is significantly less than many studio classes. To register, email yogawithmindy@comcast.net.