Summer is well and truly here!
The sun is shining, the days are still long and relaxing and there’s that end of term feeling in the air. So while you’re in the mood for summer fun, check out some of the more unusual places to practice yoga in the capital, and enjoy our wonderful city through the medium of yoga.
1. Family Yoga at London’s Greenest Art Gallery
Ever felt guilty for sneaking off at the weekend to do yoga and leaving your other half/family behind? Here’s the perfect solution: ‘family yoga’ at the world’s first purpose-built Dulwich Picture Gallery! To celebrate their two hundred year anniversary the gallery have commissioned a beautiful summer pavilion
Now you can enjoy yoga AND get the whole family involved. You might even get a quick peek round the art gallery (currently showing the brilliant John Singer Sargent exhibition) and then you could nip over the road to Dulwich Park and let the kids burn off some energy.
Where: Dulwich
When: Sunday 30th of July
How Much: £15 per parent and child
2. Paddleboarding Yoga in the heart of London
SUP Yoga (or Standup Paddleboard yoga for the uninitiated) has been around for a while now and combines the benefits of yoga with the calming quality of being on the water. Put simply, the paddleboard acts as a floating yoga mat, maximising your core stability as your body adjusts to the gentle movement of the board on the water.
So if you love boarding but don’t have time to get down to the beach, or if you love water and yoga then give this alternative form of yoga a go. According to active360, who run the session: ‘Previous experience of SUP and Yoga are definitely an advantage to help you get the most out of your SUP Yoga sessions, but even complete beginners of both can take part in this fantastic new form of Yoga’.
Where: Paddington Basin
When: Weekly during the summer months
How Much: £30 for scheduled group sessions
3. Hot Yoga in an inflatible Bouncy Womb
It’s feeling pretty hot outside anyway, but if you’re a fan of hot yoga then head to a yoga class in a ‘Hotpod’. These are womb-like, inflatable hot yoga pods, with low-level, calming purple lighting especially designed for the perfect immersive hot yoga experience. Add in an effective vinyasa-style combination of active and passive poses and a chilled playlist, the hotpod experience is designed to leave you physically flexible and mentally mellow.
It’s open to anyone, just bring water and a towel, plus a change of clothes for afterwards – the hotpods are heated to 37 degrees, so you can be guaranteed to work up a good old sweat!
Where: Notting Hill, Hackney and Brixton,
When: Daily
How Much: £14 for a single class pass
4. Sunrise Yoga in the Sky Garden
From yoga in a bouncy womb to yoga up in the clouds – Sky Garden yoga is up on the (gulp) 36th floor! The Sky Garden is a luscious tropical greenhouse perched 155 metres above ground, with stunning views over London and beyond.
As the name suggests Sunrise Yoga starts bright and early so you can get a yoga hit before work. The class is a dynamic, vinyasa flow style yoga suitable for all levels. There is also a booking option which includes a healthy breakfast served at the equally stunning Sky Pod Bar on level 35. Just bear in mind that there are no shower facilities and mats are not provided.
Where: Monument
When: July and August
How Much: £10 for yoga, £20 for yoga and breakfast
5. Outdoor Rooftop Yoga in Peckham
Another unusually lofty yoga location, but this time in the open air! With panoramic views of London and the invigorating al fresco setting, Yogarise is set on the outdoor rooftop of the Bussey Building, an old warehouse in the gritty, yet cool location of Peckham in south east London.
The English summer being, by its nature, unpredictable, the class will be cancelled in bad weather, but you will be notified by email up to one hour before the start of class if it is. Mats are provided, and a good time is guaranteed.
Where: Peckham Rye
When: 10:30am during the summer months
How Much: £13 drop-in
