Beer Yoga: For Mind, Bottle and Soul
It was only a matter of time, right?
‘ I can’t keep up with all the hipsters anymore!
Certified yoga instructors Emily and Jhula of BierYoga in Berlin have combined their two loves—beer and pretending to be a warrior in their living rooms. In this sweet new marriage of downward dogs and bottoms up, Beer Yoga incorporates beer drinking and beer bottle balancing into traditional yoga poses. The Happy Baby pose becomes the that time you fell on the ground during a keg stand and couldn’t get up pose. The Grasshopper pose becomes the holy crap I’ll do anything for a beer. And the Corpse pose becomes, well, a job well done.
The BierYoga website states, “BierYoga is supposed to be fun, but it is not a joke.” You’re telling me (even though I’m making a lot of jokes in this article)! Staying upright while drinking is often hard enough on its own, as are twisting half moons. Now you want to combine the two? While barefoot? Don’t get me wrong; I’m totally up for the challenge—just keep your expectations low and your tolerance high.
Emily and Jhula claim to have discovered Beer Yoga at Burning Man which kind of answers every question you had on the topic. But we all know that alcohol consumption and a certain level of spiritual transcendence go hand-in-hand as it has for centuries. Take the monks’ implementation of a beer-only diet for instance. And, come on, we’ve all prayed to the porcelain god in the name of beer at least a few times. Beer and zen go together like… beer and pizza. Or beer and pretzels. Beer and summer barbecues. Beer and living to be 100. Actually, is there anything beer doesn’t go with?
Emily and Jhula have taken their practice from Berlin all the way to Australia and at the rate it’s catching on, chances are you’ll see beer yoga pop up in your town faster than you can say “Yummmmmmm.” Until then, namaste right here and finish this six-pack.
Now everyone, assume the Prost! position…