Six Places to Do 108 Sun Salutations for the Summer Solstice

Last year’s Summer SOLstice with Sol Yoga Studio

As you probably already know, the summer solstice is this Saturday, June 21st. But what you might not know is that the solstice is a big deal to yogis. As per tradition, yogis everywhere will be doing 108 sun salutations to celebrate. Why 108, you ask? It’s a sacred number in Buddhism and several other Eastern religions. The practice of 108 sun salutations is supposed to honor change and often occurs at times of celebration, rebirth, or, in this case, the changing of seasons.

Sounds intense, right? Most events break it up into four rounds of 27 or nine rounds of 12 to make it a little more manageable. If you’re up for the challenge, here are six places in Philly and the ‘burbs where you can get in on the action. (Plus, three other places to hit the mat this solstice if you’re not taking on the 108 sun salutations.)

108 Salutations

Sol Yoga
Where: Sutcliffe Park, Conshohocken
When: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 20th
Cost: $10 suggested donation
FYI: Note that this event is the night before the solstice, on Friday, June 20th!

Yoga Mala at The Oval with Raghunath
Where: 2601 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (in front of the Art Museum), Fairmount
When: 9 to 11 a.m.
Cost: Free!
FYI: Pre-register here.

Nourishing Storm 
Where: 209 N York Road, Hatboro
When: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $15

Wake Up Yoga
Where: 1839 East Passyunk Avenue, South Philly
When: 2 to 5 p.m.
Cost: $20

Whole Body Yoga Studio and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed
Where: Wissahickon Valley Watershed Headquarters, 12 Morris Road, Ambler
When: 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
FYI: This is a fundraiser for the Tex Mex 5k, which raises money for the preservation of the watershed.

Prancing Peacock Studio
Where: 524 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
When: 7 p.m. on Friday the 20th
Cost: $25
FYI: This one is also on Friday! Pre-registration required.

Other Yoga Events

Flow Into Summer Solstice
Where: DIG Philadelphia, 410 Monroe Street, Queen Village
When: 8 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $25

Outdoor Yoga at the Race Street Pier
Where: Race Street Pier, N Columbus Blvd, Old City
When: Beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
FYI: These free classes happen six days a week! More info here.

Outdoor Yoga on the Schuylkill Banks
Where: Schuylkill Banks, near 25th and Locust Streets
When: Beginning at 11 a.m.
Cost: Also free!
FYI: This class happens every week!

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