Strike a pose: Yoga returns to Market Square

Take a deep breath. Yoga in the Square is returning.

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership will once again partner with a variety of local yoga studios for twice-weekly classes in Market Square.

Each 60-minute outdoor session is free.

Classes will be held at 10 a.m. Sundays starting May 2, and at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting May 5.

Outdoor yoga classes can easily be held during a pandemic, said Russell Howard, vice president for special events and development at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

“It is low impact and an activity you can do and still be socially distanced,” he said.

Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Attendees strike a pose during a session from last year’s Yoga in the Square. Classes returns to Market Square in May.

Yoga in the Square was popular before the pandemic but even more last year, causing PDP to extend the season. This year, the extra sessions have already been added to the schedule. Weather permitting, yoga will run through Oct. 13.

Space is limited and pre-registration is recommended. Walk-ups will be welcomed.

Howard said he expects restrictions to ease so that more people can be added to yoga sessions. Last year, each session had an average of 50 people.

Attendees are required to bring their own mat. Masks are required.

Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

An instructor leads a session at last year’s Yoga in the Square. Classes returns to Market Square in May.

Offering two time frames accommodates those who live Downtown or who can stop after work, and those who come into the city on weekends, Howard said. The Sunday session is called “Brunch Edition.” Howard said the hope is people will dine nearby. The Wednesday time is “Happy Hour De-stress Edition.” Classes will be led by instructors with different teaching styles and routines.

Brunch in the heart of the city this weekend with our updated Spring Downtown Pittsburgh Brunch Guide ?➡️ https://t.co/HMjandn7Rz pic.twitter.com/fiGoUQg0OB

— Downtown Pittsburgh (@DowntownPitt) April 23, 2021

Also starting May 2, the PDP will have socially distanced tables and chairs throughout Market Square, as well as large outdoor games such as Jenga, connect4 and cornhole.

Live music is also planned for some lunch hours and evenings. Howard said final details are still in process for the Night Market and World Square. Those will be released in the coming weeks.

Saturday is the final Car Bazaar — held Saturdays in April — at the Sixth and Penn parking garage. Howard said more than 100 vendors took part. He said they plan to bring it back.

With the nicer weather, outdoor dining areas are being refreshed and expanding. The reopening of the Omni William Penn Hotel is good news and the forthcoming Target store in the former Kaufmann’s building will be a complement to the area, Howard said.

“We have other things we are working on in the pipeline,” Howard said. “We are planning on Downtown becoming very much alive over the next few months. We want to bring people back into the city.”