Should you challenge your body with a yoga class, or blow it off for a beer with friends? Thanks to Brooke Larson, you don’t have to choose.

The University of Central Oklahoma alumna and former adjunct instructor at the university is the founder of Beer Yoga, a movement growing in popularity. The idea started to brew in February 2014. Larson began posting silly pictures of herself doing yoga poses with a beer in her hand on Instagram. Before she knew it, she reached 10,000 followers. Breweries then began sending her beer to pose with and her following grew to 20,000. She became a certified yoga instructor in July 2015 and Beer Yoga, LLC was born. Today she heads a thriving business with more than 30,000 Instagram followers.

The Beer Yoga experience begins with a yoga class that typically takes place in a brewery. After the class, participants have a beer and may tour the brewery.

“Beer Yoga is all about balance. Those who come to my yoga classes love that they can get a great workout in for their body and mind and afterwards they are rewarded with a tasty beverage. Even better that this takes place in a fun location that they typically have never visited in their city,” Larson said.

The classes are fun for beginner and experienced yogis alike. Larson said participants often say they are intimidated by yoga studios, so the more casual setting of a brewery puts them at ease and allows them to enjoy the class. The goal is to experience yoga in a relaxed, low pressure environment, meet people from all walks of life and discover new kinds of beer.

Larson is aware that some people may be a little wary of Beer Yoga but she offers these words of advice, “Just come to one class and see how they feel. Classes are geared towards all levels of physical fitness, and there is no pressure to do all the poses or drink beer. Also, beer is for after class and we will not be drinking or balancing bottles on our heads during class!”

Larson recently relocated to Denver, but says she will be back in Oklahoma to do a few classes this spring at either COOP Ale Works or The Root. If you take her class locally each participant pays $15 for an hour of yoga and one beer, but her out of state classes cost $20.

For more information, or to purchase tickets visit: www.eventbrite.com/o/brooke-larson-8363158161

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At the Office of University Communications at the University of Central Oklahoma, we bleed bronze and blue — Pantone 116 and 282, to be exact. The University Communications staff of professionals promotes Central to the community through news releases, media relations, advertising, branding and marketing initiatives, publications and electronic media — and, of course, using the university's official colors (that's the Pantone 116 and 282). We believe the University of Central Oklahoma is a thriving, opportunity-rich institution located in one of the best metropolitan areas in the country with innovative students, faculty and staff who make a difference in our world. It is our pleasure to share the Central story with you.