Ask any random woman how they like to relax and unwind and you may hear a variety of different answers, including “going to a yoga class,” or “having a nice glass of wine.” But what would happen if yoga and wine collided? Would they come together to create the ultimate moment of relaxation? Some women (okay, and maybe a few dudes, too) are trying to find out as yogis and wineries team up to create unforgettable experiences.
This summer in Washington, there has been a “Yoga in Wine Country” series going on where yoga teacher Whitney Schmella conducts class in local vineyards. Each class has been held at a different winery, allowing people to enjoy a variety of picturesque scenery. Deb Estrada, who helped launch the program, said it’s a great exchange of services; the wineries provide the venue and the yoga teacher provides visitors to the winery. Next year, they are hoping to host multi-day retreats that combine yoga, wine tasting, guest speakers and possibly juicing.
At Penns Woods Winery in Pennsylvania, they have been hosting “Yoga in the Vineyard: Wine, Body, and Soul 2014” since May and will continue through October. Each class is $35 and held on a Sunday morning and includes a little more than the class being held in Washington; you get a 60 minute yoga class followed by a wine tasting of 5 wines with a local “lite bites farmers plate” (fresh veggies, cheeses, and crackers), a Penns Woods Winery souvenir wine glass, and 10% off all wine purchases after your class.
In Michigan, Sandhill Crane Vineyards has also been hosting a “Yoga in the Vineyard” series this summer. It’s only one Tuesday per month, but that doesn’t make it any less relaxing or enjoyable. The yoga class are Yin style, which stretches the fascia tissue and works gently with ligaments, joints, and tendons. The cost is $18 and that includes the class, plus a well-earned glass of wine.
There have been plenty of other yoga/winery combo classes offered across the country this summer; some have been an entire series (like the classes listed above), while others have been one-time special events. If you can’t find any yoga classes at your local wineries, don’t be afraid to ask! Show them this article so they can see what other wineries and yoga studios have been doing. Hopefully, you will inspire them to start up a fun new tradition.