11 Philly-Area Studios Where You Can Take Meditation Classes
Take a moment to stop, breathe, and clear your mind.
Need to calm your racing mind? Check out these 11 Philly-area studios offering meditation classes. / Photograph of The Veda Den by Chloe Dawson Photography.
We live in a world and a city where it’s GO, GO, GO, and mental stimulation is constant. From Instagram-induced FOMO to all those dang push notifications, there’s hardly ever any peace and quiet in our lives. Unless you specifically seek it out, that is.
To that end, we recommend you check out this list of 11 local studios — each of which offers at least one meditation class per week — to help give yourself a mental break while learning tactics to help manage stressful situations with ease. Whether you want to meditate in person or stream a session online, you’ll find a class here for you.
Energy Healing Center of Philadelphia
Where: 143 West Walnut Lane, Germantown
Classes offered: Every Wednesday night, this Germantown-based holistic wellness center offers group sound bath meditation. Clear your mind and feel grounded to the hymns of the crystal singing bowls. The 75-minute session begins at 6 p.m., and a $30 donation is suggested.
Kadampa Meditation Center
Where: 1102 Pine Street, Washington Square West; online
Classes offered: As you can expect from the name, this center has a bunch of meditation classes that follow the Kadampa Buddhist tradition. Don’t worry if you’re not well-versed in the style, though; no experience is required for any of the sessions. Check out the Sunday morning and Tuesday evening classes ($15 each) for guided meditations, or online meditation every weekday morning at 8 a.m. ($5) or every Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ($5) if you’re a night owl.
Main Line Meditation
Where: 18 Ardmore Avenue, 2nd floor, Ardmore; online
Classes offered: Main Line Meditation is a membership-based organization that provides guided meditation both in-person and virtually. No matter if you opt for a one-month, three-month, or recurring membership, you’ll get unlimited small-group online meditation sessions, unlimited access to the Ardmore studio, and one-on-one guided meditation two times per week.
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Nalandabodhi Philadelphia
Where: Online
Classes offered: Every Sunday morning, Nalandabodhi Philadelphia hosts free meditation over Zoom. The session begins with chanting, then continues with 20 minutes of sitting meditation. After a short break, you’ll end with a second round of mind calming. It all starts at 9:45 a.m. and lasts for one hour; email the center for the Zoom link.
Palo Santo Wellness Boutique
Where: 1707 East Passyunk Avenue, Passyunk
Classes offered: Tuesdays are for transcending at Palo Santo. From 7 to 8:15 p.m. every Tuesday evening, the studio hosts a donation-based meditation and mantra session. Can’t make it on Tuesdays? Catch the 45-minute Sacred Circle Energy Meditation every Thursday starting at 7 p.m. ($15). The studio also incorporates meditation into several of its yoga offerings, including Bhakti flow and sunrise Vinyasa.
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Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia
Where: 2030 Sansom Street, Rittenhouse
Classes offered: Join this local chapter following Shambhala Buddhist teachings for free (although donations are welcome) public meditations from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 10 to 11 a.m. on Sundays. Check the calendar for a full list of introductory programs if you’re interested in more of a guided experience.
Sol Garden Studio
Where: 1000 Buttonwood Street, Spring Garden
Classes offered: Want to start off your week feeling mentally refreshed? Head to Sol Garden Studio. Every Monday starting at 5:45 p.m., the space runs 60-minute meditation for only $10.
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Uprising ACM
Where: 1839 East Passyunk Avenue, East Passyunk
Classes offered: This space for arts, culture, and movement (hence, ACM) is planning to host donation-based, 60-minute meditation every Friday evening starting March 18th. You can expect 20 minutes of instruction followed by 40 minutes of Vipassana, one of the oldest mindfulness meditation techniques that is still practiced today.
The Veda Den
Where: 1115 Route 70 West, Cherry Hill, NJ; online
Classes offered: This plant-filled meditation space feels like you’re on a retreat in the jungles of Costa Rica…when you’re actually in Cherry Hill. (No plane ticket necessary!) The Veda Den hosts a variety of meditation sessions throughout the week, including express meditation every Tuesday at noon and donation-based meditation every Saturday morning, plus primordial sound events and private bookings.
The Well Studio
Where: 2620 Martha Street, 3rd floor, Fishtown; online
Classes offered: Ritual at The Well Studio is a 30-minute class dedicated to meditation and journaling. It’s the studio’s only virtual offering, and runs every Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. ($23). You’ll also receive guided meditation at the end of the yoga-inspired movement class, Process.
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Zen Center of Philadelphia
Where: 4904 Cedar Avenue, West Philly
Classes offered: The Zen Center of Philadelphia holds weekly zazen (meditation stemming from the Zen Buddhist tradition) on Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sessions are free, with donations encouraged.
