Sweat It Out at Sarasota's Outdoor Yoga & Fitness Classes

What's better than downward dogs in the warm sun with a cooling Gulf breeze? Taking your practice outdoors gives you access to environmental sensations that only enhance your alfresco flow. Whether you're mastering a one-foot balance in Eagle pose or gently stretching the spine in Child’s pose, there's something so gratifying about laying your mat on the grass or sand and giving your nervous system a mini-holiday. 

From beautifully landscaped parks facing the bay to botanical gardens and white-quartz beaches, discover the many community yoga, Pilates and even Zumba and Tai Chi classes available outside of a studio in Florida's unbeatable weather and landscapes.

Bayfront Park: Tuesday Evenings & Saturday Mornings

If you're staying in Downtown Sarasota, head to Bayfront Park and Marina Jack to catch Yoga By The Bay with Erin on Tuesdays at 5:30pm and Saturdays at 9am (weather permitting). Attracting large groups of all levels, this free outdoor yoga class by the bay is a relaxing way to slow the day. Bring your yoga mat, a water bottle and whoever wants to join you for a peaceful evening or morning nestled between the mooring and marina with certified yoga instructor Erin, who provides her wisdom with each stretch.

Stay up-to-date on the latest classes via the event's Facebook page. 

The Bay Park: Almost Daily

The Bay Park welcomes the local and visiting public to its popular Heathy and Fit community programming. Free weekly programs include core strength BootCamp, Zumba, Tai Chi, Pilates, yoga and more! Strengthen your practice with new and old friends at Namaste at The Bay, which takes place on Saturday mornings at 9am and Thursday evenings at 6pm (weather permitting), led by a rotation of local instructors each week. 

On Monday evenings, turn up the heat by hitting up Mat Pilates at The Bay. This full-body strength workout is led by the local instructors of BODYBAR Pilates Sarasota. For early risers, learn and practice the ancient Chinese exercise forms of Tai Chi and Qigong—often referred to as “moving meditation”—on Wednesday mornings at 8am. Throughout the week, catch 45–minute Bootcamp workouts, which uses body-weight exercises and intervals to improve strength, cardio and conditioning. 

Classes take place on the manicured green lawn of the Sarasota Garden Club at The Bay Park. Bring a friend, a mat and water to experience the unique range of fitness styles all year-round! These programs are free to attend, but it is recommended to register online in advance.

Waterside Place: Saturday & Sunday Mornings

Further inland in Lakewood Ranch, the open-air retail district of Waterside Place is not only the new home for LWR Sunday Farmers' Market, but is also a beautiful lakeside venue for community yoga. Yoga in the Park is held every Sunday morning, 9am–10am (8am–9am during the hotter summer months), on the green of Waterside Place's Island Cove Terrace. Enjoy a gentle flow paired with water views, then walk across the bridge and shop for produce and refreshments at the weekly farmers' market!

More of a Pilates fan? Enjoy a free 50-minute Pilates in the Park, hosted by the local BODYBAR in Lakewood Ranch. This workout takes place at the Island Cove Terrace on Saturday mornings, 8:30am–9:30am, so get ready to embrace the shake and kick off your weekend with a toning workout before hitting the pool or beach!

Registration is free for both and required ahead of time, which you can book online.

Selby Gardens: Wednesday & Saturday Mornings

Historic Spanish Point, courtesy of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens continues its Yoga in the Gardens programming at its Downtown Sarasota campus into the new year, every Wednesday and Saturday morning, 9:30am–10:30am. Treat yourself to a peaceful and sensory-stimulating mind and body experience surrounded by Florida flora and fauna. Led by certified movement therapist Jessica of Poetic Body Co, the focus is on alignment, breathing techniques, stretching and relaxation, and is open to all ages and skill levels. At Selby Gardens' Osprey campus, catch Yoga at Historic Spanish Point on Sunday mornings, 10:30am–11:30am, for a somatic guided class along the serene waters and beneath the ancient oak trees, led by Christal of Infinity Yoga SRQ.

Recommended supplies include a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothes and a towel or yoga mat. Feel free to explore the grounds of Selby Gardens or Historic Spanish Point after your class! General Gardens admission is included in the program tuition. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online or paid the day-of as a drop-in. 

The Ringling Museum: Limited Wednesday Evenings

The wildly popular sunset Yoga at the Ringling, held at The Ringling museum's Ca'd'Zan Terrace, is truly an evening to remember. Hosted biweekly (October–December) on Wednesdays, 5:30–6:30pm, SHACK Yoga + Fitness instructor Ashley leads a one-hour session that welcomes everyone along the scenic bayfront gardens. Join a group of yogis of all ages and experience levels on the Venetian marble tile of the iconic Mediterranean Revival mansion. Dolphins are a common sight to be seen as the sun sets over the bay! Open to students of all ages and experience levels.

Class size is limited, so tickets must be purchased online in advance of the event to secure your spot. Visit The Ringling's website for tickets and additional information.

Siesta Key Beach: Monday Through Saturday

Siesta Key Public Beach Pavilion

Start your mornings with mindfulness and movement on the pure crystal-quartz sands of the world-famous Siesta Beach. Led by Lynn of Tranquility by the Sea, gentle yoga classes are donation-based and take place almost every morning (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday), 8:30am-9:30am, and every Wednesday evening for sunset (times change throughout the year). Dress for the weather, bring your towel or mat, drinking water for a unique experience between the green and red lifeguard stands. Look for the yoga flag near the shoreline! 

No need to sign up ahead of time, just find your spot in the sand and look forward to a seaside Namaste. While there's no fee for class, most guests contribute around $10 for donation, which helps beach permits and related costs. 

Wellen Park: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday Mornings

At the family-friendly entertainment district of Downtown Wellen Park, enjoy free programming known as the Be Well Fitness Series, which includes weekly workouts on The Great Lawn provided by the YMCA of Venice. Bring a mat or towel for lakeside yoga on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, 9am–10am, or lace up your sneakers for Zumba on Monday and Thursday mornings, 8am–9am. After your workouts, grab lunch with your fitness buddies at one of the many new restaurants of Wellen Park. 

Check the calendar of events for upcoming classes. It is required to RSVP your spot and sign a fitness waiver online.

Venice Beach: Daily

Never miss a morning flow when Yoga With Elin teaches 8am–9am every day of the week on Venice Beach. Not a morning person? Catch her sunset sessions at 5pm, Monday–Friday. Instructor Elin teaches yogis to safely maneuver through their back, shoulder and knee issues while leading them to move the way the body was designed to move. These classes take place daily near the Venice Beach Pavilion and are for all abilities, including beginners who have never practiced yoga before and students with disabilities. 

There are also special Full Moon Yoga classes to look out for on full moon nights! Check the Facebook page for specific days and times. No reservations are required for the daily classes, which are supported by donations, so be sure to bring cash to contribute if you wish. 

Manasota & Nokomis Beaches: Daily

Similarly, enjoy calming, supportive Yoga on the Beach at Manasota Beach (Monday–Thursday, 8:30am) on the north end of Englewood, or at Nokomis Beach (Daily, 9am) on Casey Key near the Shark Tooth Concession Stand. Feel the cool Gulf breeze coming off the water in the early hours of the day, feel the soft sand beneath your feet and listen to the gentle waves lapping on the shore as the soundtrack to your practice. These classes take place rain or shine, so dress warm on colder days and wear sunscreen on sunnier ones. Afterwards, meet fellow yogis or stroll the quiet stretch of beach for shark teeth and shells. 

No reservations are required, but a signed waiver is requested online. Donations are recommended ($5 and up, via cash or Venmo) for the group of certified instructors and monthly fees.