HotBox Yoga’s new location at 3527 Lancaster Ave. (Photo from Hotboxyoga.com)

Manayunk-based Hotbox Yoga is set to open their new studio at 3527 Lancaster Ave this Fall and the owners are “beyond excited,” according to information on their Facebook page. Hotbox Yoga will take over the space in the two-story building previously occupied by Power Yoga Works. Power Yoga Works closed operations at this location on Sept. 1, according to Philadelphia Magazine.

The opening date for the new studio is not known yet but the owner, Brad Young, told Philly Mag he’s aiming for early October. Currently, the space is being renovated and upgraded, according to Young.

Just a reminder that West Philly is home to a couple of other yoga studios. Studio 34 is operating at 4522 Baltimore Avenue and Bikram Yoga University City opened two years ago at 42nd and Chestnut. In case you missed it, Dhyana Yoga moved from 40th and Chestnut to Rittenhouse Square earlier this year.

It all began five years ago when a sculptor, a nurse practitioner, and an Eastern arts instructor, all longtime West Philly residents, opened a multipurpose space at 4522 Baltimore Avenue. Since then Studio 34 has been fostering a sense of community through their health and wellness classes, art exhibitions and events. To celebrate their 5th anniversary, the Studio 34 co-founders – Angela Norris, James Peniston and Stephen Fisher and owner Jason Schoen – are inviting everyone this Saturday to a big party “filled with all things West Philly and wonderful.”

Unidos de Filadelfia performing at Studio 34. (Photo courtesy jjtiziou.net)

Here’s what’s in store for Saturday evening at the studio, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

– Dessert Potluck
– Music by Philly’s favorite songstress, Birdie Busch
– Big dance party with West Philly’s samba drummers, Unidos de Filadelfia
– Free raffle with a chance to win classes and other goodies

Also on Saturday there will be a grand opening of Studio 34 BackSpace, with tours of the space offered during the event.

The BackSpace, which opened in October 2012, has an art and music focus and will include a low-cost community recording studio currently being built in collaboration with the West Philly band Buried Beds. Once the recording studio is up and running, Studio 34 will start offering Music Recording/Production 101 courses.

BackSpace recently hosted a baby shower. (Photo courtesy LoraReehlingPhotography.com)

The BackSpace is used for hosting private events, music shows, queer proms, workshops, theater rehearsals, and even baby showers. The grand opening on Saturday will kick off a schedule of classes (small to start) with local artists and musicians.

“Our goal is to collaborate with local talent in a way that brings awareness to the incredibly talented musicians who live in our community, offering quality classes and workshops with professional musicians, while providing another avenue of income for musicians who require a lot of flexibility in their schedules,” Norris said in an email. “Our hope is to offer courses that are not already available in the neighborhood and the larger Philly area.”

Bikram Yoga instructors Jill Holden, Schuyler Ferguson and Ammie Ferguson.

A Bikram Yoga studio is opening this Wednesday (Aug. 29) at 42nd and Chestnut and offering free classes through Tuesday, September 4. The brand new 5,000-square-foot studio space was built this year as a second level of the one-story building housing West Philadelphia Locksmith Co. The studio includes a 1,500-square-foot yoga room and space for a planned juice bar and organic foods store.

Bikram Yoga is the original form of “hot” yoga practiced in a heated room, so the studio has a custom built heating system, allowing it to maintain a 105-degree temperature and 40 percent humidity for every class. Although conditions like that may seem daunting, we hear that Bikram is the world’s fastest growing form of yoga. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome in the studio, local residents and students alike. A staff of eight Bikram certified instructors with extensive training and in-class experience will guide you through classes.

For more information on classes at Bikram Yoga University City, visit their homepage bikramyogaucp.com or Facebook page.

Here’s some stuff to do this weekend for kids and adults alike. For more upcoming local events, visit our Happenings page.

• Saturday, July 21, 11:30-3 p.m., White Rock Baptist Church (5240 Chestnut St.) – Community Science Carnival

The First Annual Community Science Carnival is organized by the Science Education Academy, a community partnership between the White Rock Baptist Church and the Ernest E Just Biomedical Society at the University of Pennsylvania. Children from grades K-6 are invited to be Curious Scientific Investigators and assist Penn graduate students and Post-doctoral fellows with scientific experiments. Children will learn about microbes, how to make batteries with potatoes, how planes fly and how to solve mysteries using chemistry! Parents are welcome too – there will be a workshop on how to help your children with science fair projects. See the flyer for details. This is a free event and open to the public. RSVP is not required but appreciated – email sea.philly2008@gmail.com or call 215-882-9797.

• Saturday, noon-6 p.m., Saunders Park (39th & Powelton Ave.) – Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Community Arts Festival

Also this Saturday, don’t miss the Lancaster Avenue Jazz and Community Arts Festival taking place at Saunders Park in the Powelton Village section of West Philadelphia. Doc Gibbs & Friends, Glenn Bryan & Reference Point and Planet Jazz will perform. Also there will be free family activities, a moon bounce, crafts, a vendor market and more. We also hear that  a shredder truck will make a stop at the park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so bring all that used paper cluttering your house and then enjoy some great music. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.

• Sunday, July 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., The Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street) – Kripalu Yoga Preview Class

Kripalu Yoga classes begin at The Rotunda in August and a free preview class is being held this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Kripalu Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga using standard yoga poses, inner focus, breathwork, meditation and relaxation. For more information, contact Katie Bonier at kripaluyogaphilly@gmail.com or visit www.therotunda.org.

Namaste! Yoga studios in the area are holding some new exciting classes and events this and next month to help kick start the new year. Beginners and experienced folks of all ages and genders are welcome and student discounts are available. See the list below.

Dhyana Yoga (3945 Chestnut Street)

Pranayama :: Breathing techniques for yoga & for having more energy – Sat, Jan. 21, 12:30-2 p.m. – Taught by John Vitarelli. If you are ready to incorporate proper breathing into your practice and your life, then this class is for you. John will demystify the secrets of pranayama for you, answer all questions, and provide resources for your continued study. Light asana included, so bring your mat, and a notebook if you like. Contribution is $10 and pre-registration is required by email.

Master practice classes – Tuesdays Jan. 24 &31, Feb. 7 & 21, March 13 & 27, 6-8 p.m. – Taught by Simon Park. Each week a different focus in practice will be explored. Simon’s unique style of teaching inspires practitioners of all levels of experience to expand their perception of what is possible on and off the mat. Contribution: $108 for all six, or drop in per class for $20. To register email: dhyana.staff@gmail.com.

Brock + Krista Cahill return! :: 3 Gravity Cowboy Events – Feb 3 – 6:30-8:30, Feb. 4 & 5 – 12-3 p.m. – The LIFT OFF! event is on Friday, Feb 3: Many points of interest will be crossed, including the grand handstand, oceans of navasana, mountainous arm balancing postures, and rivers of vinyasa. BUOYANCY CONTROL is on Saturday, Feb. 4: Arm balances, inversions, core, core, core…and a little laughter too. The ONE GIANT LEAP event is on Sunday, Feb. 5: This workshop will investigate the jumps, including jump throughs and jump backs, jumps to handstand, jumps into arm balances, jumps into standing poses and more. Contribution: Feb. 3 – $20 by Jan. 27, $25 after; Feb. 4&5 – $35 by Jan. 27, $40 after. To register email: dhyana.staff@gmail.com.

Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave):

Align and Flow – Tuesdays 7 a.m. – This class is a great way to start your day and your yoga practice. It focuses on the basic alignment principles that provide a strong foundation to any pose, then allows you to play and explore within the pose. The class is open to all levels. Contribution: $10 per class. For more information go here.

Hoop Dance Series – begin Feb. 21 – Work your core, pick up new dance moves, and have a blast with this low impact, hugely popular workout. You will not only be able to hula hoop, but will learn all kinds of fun tricks and ways to move. This is a 6-week class series. Contribution: $60 (6-week series) with advanced registration, $70 day of first class. To register go here.

Kids Classes – begin Jan. 23 – Kids are invited to explore breathing exercises, games, poses and relaxation in this fun-filled class. This is an excellent outlet for energy and a positive place to learn and communicate with other children. Runs through February 27. Drop-ins are welcome. Contribution: $55 with pre-registration, $60 at first class. To register go here.

Tai Chi Series – Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. – This class introduces the student to the “internal” martial art. Both a physical exercise and a moving meditation, it provides benefits to heart, joints, muscle and mind. Contribution: $10 per class. For more information go here.

University City Arts League (4226 Spruce Street)

Iynegar-Based Yoga 1 –  Wednesdays 8-9:30 p.m. –  Develop strength, flexibility & balance. Learn to work more intelligently with your body. Iyengar approach emphasizes correct body alignment with lots of hands-on, individual attention. Concentration is on standing postures, with some work in seated postures, breathing & inverted postures. All ages & fitness levels welcome.

Iynegar-Based Yoga 2 – Wednesdays 6:30-8 p.m. – Level II is for continuing students & people with prior yoga experience.

Both classes are taught by Pat Albright. For more information and to register go here or call 215-382-7811.

Wake Up Yoga (4916 Baltimore Ave):

Once-a-month Women’s Wellness class –  Saturday, Feb. 11, 8:00-9:30 p.m. –  Taught by Biz Magarity. The class is comprised of active and restorative yoga asana designed to support women’s health. This class is designed for women who experience pelvic and lower abdominal issues, such as chronic pain and infertility. Next class is on Contribution: $14 drop in/$10 student rate or one class on your Wake Up Yoga class card. For more information please visit this page.

Eight-week Brand New Beginners series  – begins Thursday, Jan. 19, 7:45-9:15 p.m. – Taught by Monica Kriso. Contribution is $108 and pre-registration is required. Please call the studio at 215-235-1228 or register online.

Here’s a good opportunity to help a local cause and to get your energy back for the holidays. This Friday, Dec. 16 join a fundraising yoga class hosted by Wake Up Yoga (4916 Baltimore Ave.). All proceeds from the class will go to support the Saint Francis de Sales Christmas Outreach program, which provides gifts for children in West and Southwest Philly.

This is a restorative yoga class and it is perfect for beginners. Instructor Alane Benson (pictured) will teach you how to ease away tension, stress and fatigue using gravity as a prop, so you leave feeling rejuvenated and renewed.

The class will run from 7:45 – 9:15 p.m. No pre-registration is required. For more information go here.