13th Annual Yoga on the Roof | A Morning of Community, Movement & Sunshine in Scranton
On one of the hottest Fourth of Julys we've had in recent memory, 156 people gathered on the rooftop of the Electric City Garage in downtown Scranton for Jaya Yoga Studio's 13th annual Yoga on the Roof.
Some came with friends. Some came with family. Some came for yoga. Some came for the beautiful live music performed by members of the NEPA Philharmonic. By the end of the morning, every one of us had shared something much bigger than a yoga class. For me, Yoga on the Roof has always been my Christmas in July.
As Jaya Yoga Studio celebrates 15 years, I find myself reflecting on why this tradition continues to mean so much, not because of the view, or the television appearances, or even the number of people who join us each year. It's because of the people.
It Starts Long Before 9:00 a.m.
Before anyone arrives, this tradition is already unfolding.
What they don't see is everything that happens before the first yoga mat is ever unrolled. Long before participants arrive, volunteers are already hard at work. The rooftop is swept and prepared. The sound equipment is tested. Tents and registration tables are set up. Breakfast and coffee begin arriving from generous local businesses. Members of the NEPA Philharmonic unpack their instruments and prepare to fill the morning with music.
And my dad is usually one of the very first people there. Armed with a broom, a dustpan, and a leaf blower, he carefully walks the rooftop making sure it's clean, safe, and ready for everyone who will arrive later that morning. It's not glamorous. Most people never even notice. But it's one of my favorite parts of the day because it reminds me that the most meaningful acts of service are often the quietest ones.
Sharing the Story
This year, we had the opportunity to visit WBRE/WYOU, PA Live, and WNEP in the days leading up to Yoga on the Roof. We were incredibly grateful for the chance to share this tradition with communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
But my favorite moments weren't necessarily the ones that aired on television. Two of our youngest yogis joined us for the interviews. Watching them confidently talk about yoga and explain why they love Yoga on the Roof reminded me that this event has become part of their childhood. They weren't repeating something someone told them to say. They were simply sharing something they genuinely love.
Another moment I'll never forget happened at PA Live. My dad, who lives in Wilkes-Barre, met us at the parking garage and proudly walked us over to the studio. He spent the afternoon taking pictures, smiling from ear to ear, and quietly cheering us on. Those are the moments that stay with you.
Then the Community Arrives
By 9:00 a.m., the rooftop has transformed. A parking garage becomes a yoga studio. The sounds of downtown Scranton blend with live music from the NEPA Philharmonic. Yoga mats stretch across the rooftop. Children practice beside parents and grandparents. Longtime students welcome first-time visitors. Neighbors become friends. For one hour, everything slows down.
This year, despite temperatures that made all of us appreciate every sip of water we could find, 156 incredible people chose to spend part of their Fourth of July morning together.
Looking across that rooftop, I was reminded once again that community isn't something you build overnight.
It's built one class...
One conversation...
One volunteer...
One tradition...
One year at a time.
It's Never Been About Me
People often thank me for organizing Yoga on the Roof. While I'm always grateful for their kind words, the truth is this event has never belonged to me.
It belongs to the volunteers who arrive before the event begins.
It belongs to the musicians who generously share their talent.
It belongs to the local businesses that donate breakfast and coffee.
It belongs to the photographers who preserve these memories.
It belongs to the sponsors who believe in what we're doing.
It belongs to the children who grow up thinking that spending the morning practicing yoga with their community is a perfectly normal way to celebrate the Fourth of July.
And it belongs to every single person who has ever rolled out a yoga mat on that rooftop.
They are what make Jaya...Jaya.
Why We Keep Coming Back
People often ask what makes Yoga on the Roof so special.
I don't think it's the rooftop.
I don't think it's the skyline.
I don't even think it's the yoga.
I think it's the feeling.
For one hour every Fourth of July, people from all walks of life come together to breathe, move, laugh, listen to beautiful music from the NEPA Philharmonic, and simply enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves.
Some have been coming for all 13 years.
Others rolled out a mat with us for the very first time this year.
By the end of the morning, it doesn't really matter.
We're all part of the same community.
That's why we keep coming back.
Until Next Year
As the last yoga mats were rolled up and everyone headed off to celebrate the rest of the Fourth of July, I always find myself wishing I could take one more picture.
Not with my camera.
An experiential selfie.
The kind we talk about in class.
The kind you don't see—you feel.
The warmth of the morning sun.
The sound of the NEPA Philharmonic echoing across the rooftop.
The laughter of children.
The quiet conversations between friends.
The volunteers who arrived before anyone else.
The feeling of 156 people breathing together above the city.
That's the picture I'll carry with me until next year.
Thank you for making Yoga on the Roof part of your Fourth of July tradition.
We'll see you on the rooftop next year.
