Whether you’re a seasoned yogi looking for an unconventional place to stretch or you’re willing to labor for your love of craft beer, a new trend gaining steam in Chicago will have you working up a sweat before sipping suds.
It’s called beer yoga. And some Chicago-area breweries have already tapped into the trend, utilizing their open spaces to host yoga events, which typically start with a class and end with a round of beer for all. Motivation to exercise? Oh, yeah.
Baderbrau Brewing Company and Begyle Brewing Company are just two breweries dabbling in the trend. In Bronzeville, the folks at Baderbrau offer Brewga the second Saturday of every month for $20, which includes a 60-minute yoga class followed by a brewery tour and sampler flight of five house beers. Patrons are encouraged to BYOM (bring your own mat) or rent one for $2. Each class takes place on the brewery floor surrounded by towering tanks and barrels, and organizers estimate that there are 10 to 25 guests per session.
In Ravenswood, Begyle Brewing Company offers Yoga at Begyle every Sunday at 11 a.m. for $20, which includes an hourlong, all-levels yoga class and a ticket to redeem either a pint of beer or a flight of three 5-ounce glasses.
“Our tap room opens at noon on Sundays, so it works out really well that yoga ends right as the tap room is opening,” said Kaitlyn McQuaid, the communications and events manager for Begyle (and, full disclosure, a freelance photographer for RedEye). “You can walk downstairs and go to the tap room, and get a beer or get your flight and hang out. So it’s beer after—not during or before.”
Begyle works with four yoga instructors who rotate regularly, including 28-year-old Caitlin Kalosky.
Beer Yoga Begyle Brewing Company
Yoga instructor Caitlin Kalosky teaches a class at Begyle Brewing Company.
Yoga instructor Caitlin Kalosky teaches a class at Begyle Brewing Company.
(Begyle Brewing Company)
“The last time I taught, there were 41 people that came to the class. It was huge, and just the amount of energy that’s in a room like that, it was powerful,” Kalosky said. “If you’re 40, if you’re 22, male, female, whatever kind of body you have, whatever your history is, let’s just do this together. I love that it’s expanding, and I love that people are all about it and willing to try. It’s a really cool thing."
Kalosky described the feel of these events as both laid-back and fun, which she said often appeals to those new to or intimidated by traditional yoga classes.
“I think having that extra beer at the end just brings in a lot of new people that would never try yoga in the first place,” Kalosky said. “This is just more low-key, it’s more laid-back, and I feel like it takes a lot of the stress and a lot of the pressure off of new people. And then you get a beer and you get to hang out, and it’s pretty great.”
Beer Yoga Begyle Brewing Company
Yoga instructor Caitlin Kalosky teaches a class at Begyle Brewing Company.
Yoga instructor Caitlin Kalosky teaches a class at Begyle Brewing Company.
(Begyle Brewing Company)
Jamie Harvel, a 31-year-old West Town resident, found out about Yoga at Begyle on Facebook over the summer and decided to attend, figuring it would be an activity that she and her husband could enjoy together.
“It was the only way I could get my husband to his first yoga class,” Harvel said. “It was a great workout, and the beer tasting after was really fun."
While it’s open for all levels, Kalosky said the majority of the people who take her beer yoga classes are beginner yogis. She tailors the classes to make everyone feel comfortable, which makes for a very social and relaxed setting.
Beer-loving yogis can purchase tickets for Yoga at Begyle and Brewga online at eventbrite.com, but walk-ins are welcome.
“I would say, bring a mat, bring some water, bring a sense of humor, bring a smile and let’s just rock out,” Kalosky said.
More ways to experience beer yoga:
Yoga on Tap at Old Irving Brewing Co.
4419 W. Montrose Ave. 773-916-6421
When: 9:30-10:30 a.m. March 12
How much: $25 online or at the door
What’s included: A 60-minute yoga class. With the purchase of a brunch item, you’ll receive a free beer or drink at the bar.
Details: BYOM and arrive at least 10 minutes before class starts.
Temperance Trikonasana at Temperance Beer Co.
2000 Dempster St. 847-864-1000
When: 1-2:15 p.m. Feb. 18
How much: $15
What’s included: A 60-minute yoga class and post-savasana beer.
Details: BYOM.
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