Here’s How to do a Week of Outdoor Yoga in Chicago
If you’re anything like me, once summer rolls around, you try to spend as much time as possible soaking up the sun (after slathering on 70+ SPF). Let’s face it, sometimes it can be a real drag to follow through on a class at the gym when it’s finally warm enough to be outside sans puffy parka. But before you throw in the towel completely, get your workout and Vitamin D fix simultaneously at one of these outdoor yoga classes.
In fact, enjoy a whole week of outdoor yoga around the city – including several free classes – by following our guide below:
- Monday: Sun and Moon Beach Yoga
- Tuesday: Yoga in the Park
- Wednesday: Green City Market Class
- Thursday: Outdoor Vinyasa & Vino
- Friday: Sun and Moon Beach Yoga
- Saturday: Millennium Park Yoga; ENRGi Group Fitness
- Sunday: Adult Yoga at the Zoo
- Bonus: Doga—that’s yoga with your dog!
Monday/Friday: Sun and Moon Beach Yoga
The deets: Bask in the glory of Lake Michigan while flowing through vinyasa during these sandy beach workouts.
Where: North Avenue Beach, approximately 1603 N. Lake Shore Drive. Check in at the beach hut just north of Castaways.
When: Classes for all levels are held Mondays through Fridays at 6 am and 10 am. Advanced classes are also offered. Check the website here.
Registration: Pre-register online. Cost: $20. There are also multi-class passes available.
Tuesday: Yoga in the Park
The deets: Free yoga! In the park! What could be better?
Where: Softball field at Schiller Grove in Wicker Park. Rain location: Inside the fieldhouse gym.
When: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm through Aug. 30
Registration: Just show up. Cost: Free
Wednesday: Green City Market Class
The deets: Try not to drool in down dog as you think about the delicious fruits and vegetables available for purchase at the Green City Farmer’s Market. They’ll still be there when you finish this YogaSix-led class.
Where: Meet at the south end of Lincoln Park along Clark Street, across from the Lincoln Hotel.
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 am
Registration: Just show up. Cost: Free
Thursday: Outdoor Vinyasa & Vino
The deets: Check out those downtown Chicago views from this spectacular South Loop rooftop. Then top off your practice with a complimentary glass of wine in the studio.
Where: YogaSix, 1136 S. Delano Court, E-204
When: Thursdays at 7 pm through Labor Day
Registration: Sign up online. Cost: $25
Saturday: Millennium Park Yoga
The deets: Before you down that mimosa or bloody Mary, sneak in a quick pre-brunch yoga sesh in Chicago’s most famous park. Bonus: arrive early for Tai Chi, and stay after for Pilates and Zumba. Yoga classes are also offered mid-week so you can head to work in a Zen state of mind.
Where: Millennium Park
When: Saturdays at 8 am through Sept. 3, Wednesdays at 7:30 am through Aug. 31
Registration: Just show up. Cost: Free
Saturday: ENRGi Rooftop Yoga
The deets: ENRGi fitness is taking things up a notch, literally, with their rooftop yoga classes. If you’re lucky, fellow aSweatLife contributor Maggie might be teaching your class!
Where: ENRGi Group Fitness, 215 W. Ohio St.
When: Saturdays at 10:30 am (power yoga), Sundays at 10:30 am (recovery yoga)
Registration: Sign up online. Cost: $25
Sunday: Adult Yoga at the Zoo
The deets: There’s just something about doing camel pose within spitting distance (okay, more like shouting distance) of an actual camel.
Where: Nature Boardwalk Peoples Gas Pavilion, Lincoln Park Zoo, 2021 N. Stockton Drive
When: Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 9 am, through Sept. 18
Registration: Sign up online. Cost: $20. Lincoln Park Zoo members receive a 15 percent discount. There are also multi-class passes available.
Bonus: Doga at FFC
The deets: Find immediate inspiration for downward dog when you yoga with your pooch. Join FFC Gold Coast for a rooftop doggie yoga class on their eighth floor sundeck. Just BYO dog and mat.
Where: FFC Gold Coast, 1030 N. Clark Street
When: Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 6:45 pm
Registration: Sign up online. Cost: Free for FFC members and $10 for non-members. One dog per person. Read additional guidelines here.
Pro tip: Kristen shares more ideas for outdoor adventures with your dog here.
Get more ideas for outdoor workouts, including yoga, here.
Where are your favorite spots to do outdoor yoga? Let us know in the comments section below!