As a yoga instructor, one of the things that I find fascinating about it is that as yoga spreads out across the world, more and more people are modifying and adding to it. New trends and types of yoga are helping more and more people embrace healthier lifestyles and achieve fitter bodies. Recently I came across some interesting new yoga trends:
Beer yoga
Yes, beer as in the alcoholic beverage! Apparently it was inspired by the Burning Man festival, and in 2015, some people decided to introduce the concept of beer yoga in Berlin. They thought it was a good idea to combine two de-stressors in one. So here, yoga is practiced with beer in one hand. One breath, one movement, one sip! The beer can or bottle may also be balanced on the head…for improved balance perhaps. Now while I found the idea amusing I also found it a little silly and contraindicative. Drinking some liquid during a yoga workout may not be a bad idea but beer? That’s just silly! And one may well be doing yoga to work off a beer belly in the first place! So how does it make sense to sabotage one’s own efforts?!
Goat yoga
This is also a trend, apparently! The classes often take place at farms where people can have an outdoor yoga retreat with some goats wandering around, maybe gently butting people or even perhaps climbing all over them! There are those who swear by goat yoga because it is thought to be a stress reliever; helping people cope at they recover from illness, cancer and so on. The trend has really caught on in the US. Lainey Morse of Oregon for instance has goat yoga classes that are so popular that she has a 1,200 long waiting list! Lindsay Roe is another yoga instructor who offers yoga classes with goats. As yogis practice outdoor yoga with a scenic view of the mountains, little Nigerian Dwarf goats gambol around interacting with participants. Now I can’t say I dislike this idea… goats are rather adorable!
Couples yoga
I think that toddler yoga is a good idea – it helps in parent child bonding and introduces a child to a healthy lifestyle habit early in life. Couples or partner yoga is intriguing too. It isn’t just about doing yoga alongside a significant other but about one of the two people being the base and the other being the ‘flier’. Not only would this be a way for couples to get into a fitness practice together, it would also be a way to improve their relationship. Feelings of trust, intimacy and communication can improve as a result of performing yoga together as one. This can also help couples feel a sense of achievement; a goal attained together!
Now this does make sense to me. I feel that this can be a great way for a couple to spend quality time together, build trust and improve communication. I find this both interesting and sensible. Perhaps I will explore the concept of couples yoga more in times to come!