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Take a Free Election Day Yoga or Meditation Class Instead of Anxiety Spiraling

Local studios are stepping up to help you stay grounded and centered on Election Day with free and donation-based classes.


Studios all over Philly are offering free and donation-based yoga and meditation to help with Election Day anxiety. | Photo by Goodboy Picture Company courtesy of Getty

We know Election Day is going be, erm… challenging… for many of us emotionally. Okay, let’s face it: despite our best efforts, our anxiety is likely to be off the charts. To help with that, we’ve rounded up local studios that are offering free or donation-based yoga classes, all meant to ease stress and promote attaining a (relatively) calm state of mind after you’ve got your ballot in.

We highly recommend seeking out nourishing options like these, rather than indulging in doom-scrolling on Twitter or staying glued to the news for 24 hours. Tempting though those options might be, they’re not going to help your mental health — or do anything to change the results. Here, our best resources to keep you grounded and centered on Election Day.

Tula Yoga and Wellness

Join Tula Yoga and Wellness for a free noon virtual yoga class taught by local teacher Chae Yang Bullock, or an evening all-levels yoga class at 6:45 p.m. with Ira Richards in-studio (limited to first 8 students) or virtually, followed by a guided loving kindness meditation to get you through Election Day.

Sabbatical Beauty 

Erin McCarthy, Ph.D. is partnering with Sabbatical Beauty to offer an hour of meditation on Zoom at 7:30 p.m. In this one hour practice, you’ll learn how self-compassion and mindfulness can counteract the toxic effects of stress and anxiety, and be guided through a soothing meditation. Cost is $10, and proceeds (except for sales tax) will be donated to the Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund, which supports mental health services for Black women and girls.

Sculpere

Cristina Espaillat’s NoLibs studio Sculpere is offering one complimentary virtual class this week in honor of Election Day, including a power yoga class at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Studio 34

Studio 34 is offering free/pay-what-you-can yoga with local teacher Brittany Policastro, with 50% of proceeds being donated to the Philly Bail Fund. The class will be a combination of flow, strength, breathwork and restorative yoga to calm the nervous system. Register on their website.

Danielle Mercurio

Local intuitive astrologist Danielle Mercurio is offering two free election meditation experiences: a grounding meditation to release worry (19 minutes) as well as one to listen to before you go to bed (17 minutes.)

Lori Hedrick

Take a free virtual  “Survival Pranayama” breath work session with teacher Lori Hedrick, who instructs at Mama’s Wellness Joint  — reach out on her Instagram to sign up. (Mama’s is also offering a six-week meditation series beginning this Thursday, which is free to BIPOC individuals with a code available on their website.)

Unity Yoga 

Unity Yoga, based in Manayunk and Chestnut Hill, is offering several free classes to soothe the nervous system around Election Day, including a 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. virtual class on Tuesday. See their Instagram for more information.

Our Yoga Home 

Yoga Home is offering a free “Election week toolkit” including yoga and a Loving Kindness meditation, with a live virtual yoga class at 7.am. on November 3rd, which is accessible to all levels. Sign up to receive it on their website.

Casa Bandha Yoga

This studio is offering a 45-minute donation-based yoga, mindful movement, and meditation class at 11 a.m. on Zoom. You can get all the information to sign up on their Instagram.

Hotbox Yoga

This studio, based in Manayunk and West Philly, is offering multiple free virtual power yoga classes on Tuesday to help alleviate election stress. Check their schedule for class times, details, and availability.

The Wall Fitness Studio

This one isn’t a yoga or meditation class, but rather a 45-minute barre class geared towards alleviating anxiety, taking place at 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday. See The Wall’s Instagram post for details.

Katie Rabinowitz

This local yoga teacher is offering free Election Day yoga for 45 minutes at 5 p.m. Sign up on her website to gain access to the class.

otxyoga

Take a free 45-minute power yoga class with otxyoga on Election Day to keep your mind and body busy — their Instagram has sign-up details and the code for the free class.

Vitality Meditation

This holistic health center is offering a mindful meditation at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, the day after the election, with wellness expert Kiera Smalls. Find details on their Instagram. (Early registrants could also purchase a “Chill Kit” featuring CBD to incorporate with the meditation.)

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