Fitness, community, and Maine’s craft brewing scene

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE WORDS “YOGA” AND “BEER” WEREN’T OFTEN SAID IN THE SAME SENTENCE. They seemed like divergent concepts—or at least different enough that you had to change clothes when you went from one to the other. But in the Venn diagram of extra curricular choices in Maine, beer overlaps with just about everything. Yoga included.

Some brew-loving yogis have known this for ages. Much like our friends who hike or run and then meet up afterward at a local bar to socialize over a glass of beer, people who do yoga sometimes like a post-savasana drink, too. And while popular opinion 20 years ago might have paired yoga with kale shakes and beet juice smoothies (which are, for the record, also lovely), modern-day fitness fans think differently.

Yoga and beer pair very well together.

Here in Maine, yoga has grown increasingly popular over the last decade. New yoga studios are popping up all over state, offering classes for a range of abilities and styles (yoga for runners, aerial yoga, and paddleboard yoga, just to name a few). The local craft brewing scene has grown dramatically at the same time—from more than a dozen Maine breweries in 2007 to approximately 100 today. It’s no wonder that someone finally saw fit to combine the two.

But actually doing yoga in a brewery or tasting room itself, well that’s still a relatively new phenomenon. And we love it.

Photo: Shannon Bryan

“I think a lot of people hear ‘yoga’ and picture people sitting in a studio, incense burning, chanting ‘Ohm’ and contorting themselves into unnatural shapes,” said Annie Leslie, a yoga instructor who teaches classes at Run of the Mill in Saco and Funky Bow Brewery in Lyman. “But when people hear ‘yoga… oh, but there’s beer after,’ their image turns into something a little less foreign and a little more fun.”

It’s a combination that helps encourage people who might be hesitant to walk into a traditional yoga studio for the first time, she said.

More experienced yogis who love beer also benefit. “I don’t think that there is a single person on this planet who cannot benefit from yoga,” said Annie. “It’s beneficial for both the body and the mind and not only reduces physical pain, but also helps things like stress and anxiety.”

It’s a fun change of pace in a welcoming and relaxed environment. And the post-yoga beer invites people to stick around, meet each other, and socialize for a while.

“People want to be healthier and work on their fitness goals in a supportive social setting,” said Kat Cynewski, owner of Be Well Portland, a fitness-based social events company that hosts events around Portland, from boot camp with Shipyard to Bend and ‘Booch at Urban Farm Fermentory. “But they also love to enjoy themselves and indulge,” she said. Be Well Portland events aim to balance the two.

Photo: Shannon Bryan

“Generally, people unwind by getting active or having a drink, and I’ve witnessed both activities done in excess, but here, in balance, it’s really the best of both worlds,” said Kat. “On top of that, it brings people together in a supporting and lighthearted way to strengthen their sense of community.”

Many brewers see the perks, too. Molly Sinclair Bull, co-owner of Dirigo Brewing Co. in Biddeford, is an avid yogi herself, and she understands the benefits of having class at the brewery. “At class every Sunday, we get together to share and rededicate our common purpose, and with practice, we are better equipped for all the daily challenges. After class, new and old friends can enjoy each other’s company with a refreshing glass of beer. Sure beats church,” she joked.
It all makes for a memorable experience that’s worth checking out.

“Whether you’re coming for a challenging work out or the amazing post-class beverages, you’re bound to have a great time,” said Kat.

Learn about Yoga + Beer Classes in Maine

— Text: Shannon Bryan. Shannon loves to get active in Maine – from aerial yoga to moonlight paddles — and she writes about them all (to encourage you to try them too!) on FitMaine.com.