MONROE - The unlikely combination of suds and stretching came together in the Minhas Brewery Tasting Room on Wednesday.
Quality and Projects Representative Andy King brought the idea forward because of his own personal interest in yoga. To King, the practice was not all that unusual.
"I've seen a lot of physical activity matched with beer," King said.
A beer tent at the end of a 5K race or an obstacle course event has become common practice. Yoga classes followed by the social event of chatting over a beer is not new either but more unheard of within the Midwest. From east coast states like South Carolina to the west coast, most notably California, and even in states like Arizona, beer and yoga has become mainstream. Some of the first classes date to 2014, and for those who like hops in their post-workout beverage, it can be an enjoyable addition to exercise.
King began planning for classes in June. First he had to approach Minhas president Gary Olson for approval and then line up an instructor. Luckily, King found a local yoga teacher who wanted to lead the class in Elizabeth Dierickx. King knew of Dierickx through her classes at the Green County Family YMCA.
Dierickx has been instructing yoga at the YMCA for the past six months and has been certified to teach the exercises since 2009. She said when King approached her to be the beer and yoga instructor, she happily agreed.
"It sounded awesome," Dierickx said. "Exciting, and it would be to bring in people who don't usually do yoga."
Eventually, after some feedback from Facebook fans, the class was scheduled. King said the schedule is still tentative, and classes will most likely be monthly. The fee for a class is $15, which King said was a strategic decision so as to not take away business from local yoga instructors who have established their classes.
"Some of the feedback was about the cost of the class," King said. "I'm not trying to compete with anybody else. I tried to put the price higher."
The cost of the class will benefit the community in other ways. Five dollars from each attendance fee will be put toward a local organization. King said he has not decided yet which group but has been strongly considering Leader Dogs for the Blind. Each of the monthly class fees will be contributed to different groups, he added. Other places on the list include the Green County Humane Society and local non-profits.
"It's not a great amount," King said. "But I want to try to spread the good around."
Payments will only be accepted in the form of cash, King added.
In order for the class to work best in the space, the number of people will be capped at 18 during any future classes. Six people signed up in advance for the first event, and nine total showed up to fill the small space just feet from the Tasting Room taps.
"It's just something for people to get together, take part in some yoga and enjoy a beer," King said.
King said he has even invested a bit of his own money in a few extra yoga mats in case some people show up without them. He has high hopes it will become a monthly staple within the community. Dierickx agreed, and said "everyone who came seemed really excited about it."
"You're already relaxed after yoga, so with beer you're doubly relaxed," Dierickx added.
Attendees sat back and started sipping from cups of beer. Soda was another option for those not inclined toward the alcoholic beverages. Laughter rang throughout the space as some perched on stools, and the bartender, who had just finished the class, expertly swirled the plastic cups to fill under the taps.
Monroe resident Jennifer Boettcher takes yoga classes infrequently. She said when she heard about the class while visiting the YMCA, her interest was piqued.
"It just sounded like fun," Boettcher said. "I loved it. It was great."
Laura Voegli, who also attended, agreed. She had heard of beer paired with yoga, but had never had the chance to try despite frequently practicing the relaxing activity.
"It seems to be the rage now, bar stool yoga," Voegli said. "It seems like a great way to cross the beer community with the yoga community. Like you're a beer drinker with a yoga problem."
Both Voegli and Boettcher said they would definitely be back for another class if Minhas continued hosting beer and yoga.
Quality and Projects Representative Andy King brought the idea forward because of his own personal interest in yoga. To King, the practice was not all that unusual.
"I've seen a lot of physical activity matched with beer," King said.
A beer tent at the end of a 5K race or an obstacle course event has become common practice. Yoga classes followed by the social event of chatting over a beer is not new either but more unheard of within the Midwest. From east coast states like South Carolina to the west coast, most notably California, and even in states like Arizona, beer and yoga has become mainstream. Some of the first classes date to 2014, and for those who like hops in their post-workout beverage, it can be an enjoyable addition to exercise.
King began planning for classes in June. First he had to approach Minhas president Gary Olson for approval and then line up an instructor. Luckily, King found a local yoga teacher who wanted to lead the class in Elizabeth Dierickx. King knew of Dierickx through her classes at the Green County Family YMCA.
Dierickx has been instructing yoga at the YMCA for the past six months and has been certified to teach the exercises since 2009. She said when King approached her to be the beer and yoga instructor, she happily agreed.
"It sounded awesome," Dierickx said. "Exciting, and it would be to bring in people who don't usually do yoga."
Eventually, after some feedback from Facebook fans, the class was scheduled. King said the schedule is still tentative, and classes will most likely be monthly. The fee for a class is $15, which King said was a strategic decision so as to not take away business from local yoga instructors who have established their classes.
"Some of the feedback was about the cost of the class," King said. "I'm not trying to compete with anybody else. I tried to put the price higher."
The cost of the class will benefit the community in other ways. Five dollars from each attendance fee will be put toward a local organization. King said he has not decided yet which group but has been strongly considering Leader Dogs for the Blind. Each of the monthly class fees will be contributed to different groups, he added. Other places on the list include the Green County Humane Society and local non-profits.
"It's not a great amount," King said. "But I want to try to spread the good around."
Payments will only be accepted in the form of cash, King added.
In order for the class to work best in the space, the number of people will be capped at 18 during any future classes. Six people signed up in advance for the first event, and nine total showed up to fill the small space just feet from the Tasting Room taps.
"It's just something for people to get together, take part in some yoga and enjoy a beer," King said.
King said he has even invested a bit of his own money in a few extra yoga mats in case some people show up without them. He has high hopes it will become a monthly staple within the community. Dierickx agreed, and said "everyone who came seemed really excited about it."
"You're already relaxed after yoga, so with beer you're doubly relaxed," Dierickx added.
Attendees sat back and started sipping from cups of beer. Soda was another option for those not inclined toward the alcoholic beverages. Laughter rang throughout the space as some perched on stools, and the bartender, who had just finished the class, expertly swirled the plastic cups to fill under the taps.
Monroe resident Jennifer Boettcher takes yoga classes infrequently. She said when she heard about the class while visiting the YMCA, her interest was piqued.
"It just sounded like fun," Boettcher said. "I loved it. It was great."
Laura Voegli, who also attended, agreed. She had heard of beer paired with yoga, but had never had the chance to try despite frequently practicing the relaxing activity.
"It seems to be the rage now, bar stool yoga," Voegli said. "It seems like a great way to cross the beer community with the yoga community. Like you're a beer drinker with a yoga problem."
Both Voegli and Boettcher said they would definitely be back for another class if Minhas continued hosting beer and yoga.