yoga – DRAFT

Meet the Beer Yogis

The Beer Runner — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:00:07 +0000

Photo credits: The Beer Yogis

Mikki Trowbridge and Melissa Klimo-Major and united by their love of beer and yoga.

The Beer Yogis, as they are known, recently complete a road trip to different breweries to stretch, breath and bend surrounded by kegs, hops and malt.

Mikki and Melissa did an email Q+A to discuss meeting on Instagram, their favorite post-yoga beer, and future plans after their first successful brewery tour.

From your perspective, why do craft beer and yoga go together?

Mikki Trowbridge: In my opinion, yoga and beer is the combination of things that make us feel good. In moderation, both yoga and beer can be refreshing, relaxing, and releasing—all things that most of us need more of in our lives. Yoga and beer is also about connection. The practice on our mat is an opportunity to connect with ourselves, which you’ll hopefully get out of any yoga class. But equally as important is the opportunity to connect with other—old friends and new friends—and sharing a pint after class provides an opportunity for that connection to happen as well.

Melissa Klimo-Major: There’s craft behind both beer and yoga, and both are often best enjoyed in the company of others. Yogis and brewers are passionate bunches—both sides want to share these things we love with the world. And we’re getting that message out there quickly by working together. Both yoga and beer make us feel good also, so … it’s really a pretty strong pairing!

Do you have a favorite stretch? What’s the best way to get limbered up for drinking beer?

MT: My favorite pose, kind of like my favorite beer, depends on my mood, the weather, and a variety of other factors. I do really love Down Dog on most days … and if you put a straw in your pint glass, you can even sip on your beer while in the pose. I joke. In seriousness though, I think the best preparation for drinking beer, or socializing with friends, or making the most of your life doesn’t happen through limbering up the body, but through clearing the mind so that you can be more present in each breath, each moment and each sip. I like to think that the meditative and focusing qualities of the practice help us to enjoy our beer more.

MKM: My favorites always shift depending on mood and environment; hip openers are currently extra nice with all this road warrior’ing we’re doing. The best way to limber up for drinking beer would be … whatever you need in that moment to truly be there. Yoga is about presence. Craft beer is about quality. And the more present you are, the more you are going to enjoy every sip of that quality brew. That awareness could come from a few focused breaths, or maybe from some crazy feel good shape you are inspired to make on your barstool.

How did The Beer Yogis get started?

MKM: Mikki and I were already hosting yoga and beer events in our own cities. I found Mikki on Instagram and sent her a message suggesting we chat and maybe do something together. A few months later, we met in person in NYC and taught our first classes together, at the Bronx Brewery and LIC Beer Project. That weekend, we learned that we worked really well together, that we were fed by connecting to brand-new beer yogis in brand-new spaces, and that we were inspired by how large this community could really get—and here we are now.

Why are you taking the Beer Yogis on the road? What do you hope to accomplish?

MT: It’s simple really. ‘United By Yoga & Beer’ is our mission for this road trip. We’ve loved bringing people together for practice and a pint in our own communities and thought it would be powerful to take that across the country to meet people who love yoga and beer as much as we do. Our hope is to create a nationwide community of Beer Yogis who appreciate the practice of yoga, a welcoming community, and a refreshing pint of craft beer. And to connect with, collaborate with and support our fellow yoga and beer teachers across the nation!

What can people expect if they go to one of your events?

MKM: We combine an inspired, accessible, all-levels yoga flow with post-practice community (and beers!). Yogis can expect expertly instructed yoga followed by a chance to connect over beers after class.

I’ve noticed and written about other beer and yoga events throughout the country. Who else do you think is doing good work in this area?

MT: Over the last few years, it has been fun to watch yoga and beer spread across the country to communities large and small. I think any teacher out there who is taking on the challenge of building something refreshing and unique for their community, who is holding space for yogis and non-yogis to gather in a brewery for a fun, approachable, feel-good practice and the building of community, and who is celebrating their brewery partners, should be applauded. I won’t name individuals, because there are simply too many to name, but they all are doing amazing work, and I’m proud to be a part of this nationwide community of teachers who like to do things a bit differently.

What are your plans/goals for the future with The Beer Yogis?

MKM: We’re just getting started! Future nationwide road trips are definitely on the agenda. Our mission is to unite by yoga and beer, and as that community grows and evolves, we’ll continue to move along with it.

What’s your own favorite beer for after a yoga workout?

MT: Porters … or IPAs during fresh hop season in Oregon.

MKM: Post-yoga, I tend to lean towards IPAs.

Other than yoga, are you involved in any other athletic activities?

MT: Paddleboarding and hiking are my other athletic endeavors.

MKM: I enjoy a good hike.

Anything else to add?

Cheers and Namaste!

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Brewery offers cycling, yoga and running

The Beer Runner — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 18:28:20 +0000

Photo via https://www.facebook.com/WestSixthRunningClub/

There is no shortage of ways to earn your beer throughout the week at the West Sixth Brewing in Lexington, Kentucky.

Monday nights are for the cycling club.

Tuesday nights are for the running club.

Wednesday nights are for yoga.

And every night is for beer.

The fun runs, cycling club and yoga classes are all offered for free, and all are highly popular in the community. As many as 300 people show up for the weekly runs in the summer, cycling draws a big regular group and spots fill up quickly at yoga.

Beyond the community aspect, there are extra incentives for showing up to sweat, including free post-run pretzels and credits that can earn you shirts or water bottles.

For more info, you can find the yoga, cycling and running clubs on Facebook.

Read up on the brewery’s stouts, IPAs, lemongrass wheat beers and more on their website.

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Beer and yoga gain a foothold

The Beer Runner — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 15:20:02 +0000

Photo via https://facebook.com/bullfallsbrewery

In the past, I’ve written about the new trend of yoga classes that incorporate beer like Yoga Buzz in Indiana. You can even get a craft beer brewed by yoga activewear maker Lululemon.

It looks like yoga and beer is starting to catch on even more in 2016, and CNN, Glamour and the Associated Press have all reported on classes.

“Yoga and beer? Yeah, that’s a thing now,” Glamour tweeted.

In Wausau, Wisconsin, Bull Falls Brewery is hosting “Butts and Beers” for beer drinkers who like to mix some cardio and yoga with a post-exercise brew reward. Beer and yoga sessions have also been held in Charleston, S.C., Memphis, Oregon, North Carolina, Florida, and New York, the Associated Press reports.

“There may be some who come to the class who figure out they’re not cut out for this, but when they get into the taproom, their classmates will encourage them to stick with it,” Bull Falls owner Mike Zamow told CNN.

Zamow said he was inspired by another yoga series that held classes at various breweries in Minnesota, and he also hosted a 5K beer run at his brewery last year.

The Bull Falls yoga classes will be held through the end of February, and more info can be found on their Facebook page.

Do you know of other yoga and beer classes? Have you attended one? If so, share your experience in the comments.

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Lululemon Athletica stretches out to beer

The Beer Runner — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 17:02:23 +0000

The brand known for its activewear is stretching into the beer market.

“Beer, it’s the new yoga pant,” the brand tweeted. “Meet Curiosity Lager by @StanleyParkBrew, the official brew of @SeaWheeze.”

SeaWheeze is a half-marathon and festival of music, running and yoga held in Vancouver in August.

Lululemon became famous for its stylish line of women’s workout clothing—especially yoga pants—that could be worn equally at the gym or a Starbucks.

But recently they have been marketing an appeal to men, including its Lululemon Men messaging. The photo above is from the Lululemon Men twitter account.

“If you’re up for adventure, a good sweat and cold beer, we’ll get along just fine,” reads the Lululemon Men Twitter bio.

Will this new limited release lager help Lululemon appeal more to men and runners? What do you think?

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7 ways to celebrate Craft Beer Week

The Beer Runner — Mon, 11 May 2015 19:34:07 +0000

It’s officially American Craft Beer Week, May 11-17, 2015. Here are seven ways to celebrate all week long across the country, from sea to shining sea.

Monday

Sign up for the Philly 10K road race through the heart of Philadelphia, which opens for registration today. The popular race (the site keeps crashing from registration traffic) features a Bibs & Beers Pick-Up Party plus finish line beer courtesy of Philadelphia Brewing Company.
More info

Tuesday

Tuesday marks the 2-year anniversary of Happy’s Running Club in St. Louis. Stop by the Royale at 6 pm for a short run followed by beer with fellow runners.
More info

Wednesday

Run to any of the 3,400 small, independent craft brewers in the country and then check in on Untappd to unlock the American Craft Beer Week (2015) badge. OK, you don’t actually have to run there to get the badge, but it makes it more rewarding.
More info

Thursday

Head to the famous Shoes and Brews in Longmont, Colorado for their Thursday night social runs. This week partners with Upslope, and you can also run an 800 meter and the cost of your next pint is your time.
More info

Friday

The Hightail to Ale 5K at Atwater Brewing in Detroit is the first stop for the Thirsty 3 event series, a running tour of Michigan’s local beer, wine and hard cider. The tagline is “a keg party with a 5K warm-up.”
more info

Saturday

Lenny Boy Brewing Co in Charlotte has a running club on Sundays, but Saturdays belong to yoga in their expanded taproom. Get your vinyasa flow on every Saturday at 10 am. Yes, beer yoga is a thing.
More info

Sunday

To cap off the week, join the Minnesota Brewery Running Series at Indeed Brewing Co for a fun-run 5k throughout the surrounding neighborhood & parks. All participants receive a craft brew from Indeed and get to take home a collectors pint glass or “seasonal swag item.”
More info

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