We’ve all been there: You start your weekend with the best of intentions to hit that early morning yoga class, only to be seduced by the siren song of a mimosa-fueled brunch. Or you planned a post-work sweat sesh, only a glass of Sauv Blanc sounded better than Spandex once 5pm rolled around. Luckily, a number of yoga studios and venues around the Bay Area are embracing the true meaning of balance by offering classes and events that combine yoga with wine or beer (post-class, naturally). So grab your mat, get your stretch on, and imbibe without guilt—you’ll definitely earn it.
Downward Drinking Dog
Co-owned by Lori Thomas and Patrick Santos, Downward Drinking Dog emphasizes balance in all areas of life through its roving events, which typically consist of a 60-minute all-levels vinyasa yoga class followed by a beverage of some sort—beer, coffee, wine, kombucha, and craft cocktails are all on the table (sometimes literally). Classes have taken place everywhere from San Francisco’s The Yard at Mission Rock to Santa Cruz’s Venus Spirits, and range in size from 35 to 60-plus students, with one instructor and often a few registered yoga teachers assisting with adjustments and demoing poses. Upcoming events include Yoga + Beer with 47 Hills Brewing (Oct 26) and Yoga + Beer with Anchor Brewing (Nov 4), $20-30, downwardrinkingdog.com
Yoga and Beer at Laughing Monk
Ever Sunday, Bayview brewery Laughing Monk Brewing transforms into an impromptu yoga studio, with a 90-minute bhakti yoga session at 10am, before the taproom opens its doors to the public. The hour-and-a-half classes will definitely make you feel like you’ve earned the post-yoga beer—the brewery specializes in Belgian-style small-batch brews, with 12 typically on draft—as a cool down. Although you can snag a $12 ticket before the event, no advanced registration is required: Bring a mat and pay when you get your beer. Next events on Oct 22 and Oct 29, $12-15, 1439 Egbert Ave, San Francisco, laughingmonkbrewing.com
Silent Disco Yoga and Wine at Bluxome Street Winery
Outdoor SF founder Julianne Aiello boasts a cult following for her silent disco yoga classes out on Baker Beach and Ocean Beach, but she’s also able to bring that same magic indoors to SoMa’s Bluxome Street Winery, with monthly yoga classes followed by a glass of wine or sampling flight. Through headphones that pipe in music and the instructor’s cues, you’ll engage in a one-hour vinyasa class that mixes traditional poses with some less traditional movements (think snapping to the beat and a little playful twerking). After you’ve zen-ed out in savasana, mingle and sip from your choice of three different wines. Next event is Nov 1, $24-29, 53 Bluxome St, San Francisco
Bubbles and Flow at Hot Spot Yoga
The jam-packed weekend bubbles and flow classes at Hot Spot Yoga’s 24th Street Oakland location—challenging 75-minute heated vinyasa sequences, followed by a complimentary Champagne toast—were so popular, they’re part of the reason owner Adesina Cash opened a second studio in East Oakland earlier this year. You can now get your Champagne fix Saturdays at the OG location and Sundays at the newbie. $20 drop-in classes, 530 24th St. #100, Oakland; 2008 Park Blvd, Oakland; hotspotyo.com