Yoga is wonderful. It’s beneficial physically and mentally, and in an active and green city like Denver, we love it. Sometimes, though, the “yoga scene” can be a bit intimidating, but a recent fad may be the answer to your fears about stepping onto the mat: themed yoga. Whether it be hip hop yoga or yoga in the company of baby goats, taking up practice in a setting other than a high-skill studio breaks barriers. This summer, Denver’s got a laundry list of themed yoga classes and we’ve put together the rundown on each of them.
YOGA + PLANTS
At a YOGA + PLANTS event in May. Photo courtesy of Unlimited Yoga on Facebook.
When: Sundays through July 23, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Where: Evolve Yoga Denver — 1321 S. Broadway, Denver
Cost: $25 (July 16th Terrarium event is $35). Find tickets here.
The Lowdown: YOGA + PLANTS is a series created by Unlimited Yoga in partnership with Rooney Bloom, a local professional gardener. Each week it has a different plant-based theme, from cannabis to terrarium, and each event is designed to educate yogis on how to integrate plants into their lives in healthful and useful ways. Each class includes a hour-long vinyasa flow instruction, a smoothie and a plant-based project.
International Day of Yoga and Summer Solstice Mini Fest
Photo courtesy of Karma Kosha on Facebook.
When: June 21, 6 am – 9 pm
Where: City Park
Cost: One class for $10, full day pass for $15. Find tickets here.
The Lowdown: To celebrate International Day of Yoga, karma|kosha, Unlimited Yoga and Sound-Off Experience are teaming up to throw together a small yoga festival. With classes from beginner, to advanced levels and even a kids class, there’s surely something for every yogi. There will also be classes with “silent disco” headphones courtesy of Sound-Off experiences and a Kirtan Glow Flow party.
Big Booty Music-Themed Yoga
Kady Lafferty, creator of Big Booty Yoga. Photography by Kyle Cooper.
When: Sundays at 9 am and 10:30 am
Where: The Walnut Room — 3131 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $15
The Lowdown: Kady Lafferty’s Big Booty Yoga classes allow you to introduce yourself to yoga in a place you might already be comfortable in — a bar. The music-themed classes feature playlists consisting of Beyoncé, Usher and Bruno Mars and payment for class includes a beer or mimosa afterward. Check one out for some body positive flow!
Rainforest Yoga
Rainforest Yoga at the Butterfly Pavilion & Insect Center. Photo provided by the Butterfly Pavilion.
When: Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings, alternating weeks. Exact dates and times can be found here.
Where: the Butterfly Pavilion — 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster
Cost: $8 for members of the Butterfly Pavilion and $10 for non-members
The Lowdown: Practice yoga in the company of butterflies at the Butterfly Pavilion’s Rainforest Yoga. A range of levels and styles of yoga are offered inside the Wings of the Tropics portion of the pavilion. While it’s not considered Bikram (hot yoga), the hotness and humidity of the room (meant to mirror the climate the plants and butterflies are used to) will have you sweaty and relaxed.
YogAdoptables!
When: Wednesdays in June, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Animal Shelter — 1241 W. Bayaud Ave., Denver
Cost: $12, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: Considering June is adopt-a-cat month, it’s a great time to practice yoga with some feline friends — especially ones you can take home with you. At YogAdoptables, a certified yoga instructor leads a class while adoptable cats roam freely around the yogis. Relax your mind and find a new friend!
Après Yoga
Photo courtesy of Après Yoga on Facebook.
When: Varying dates and times. Find a calendar here.
Where: Varying locations.
Cost: $15, purchase a punch card redeemable for five classes at $75
The Lowdown: Après Yoga combines two loves: yoga and libations. Classes are taught in a variety of breweries and wineries and the yogis enjoy beverages together afterward. The practice is welcome to all levels of yogis.
YogaZO at Infinite Monkey Theorem
Photo courtesy of YogaZo CO on Facebook.
When: The 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month, 12:30 pm
Where: The Infinite Monkey Theorem, Denver’s Urban Winery — 3200 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $10 donation
The Lowdown: Indulge in some yoga and wine at these classes! Your donation will go to a local non-profit, too, so you can feel extra good about your practice. Stick around after the all-levels class for a chance to win prizes and discounts on Infinite Monkey Theorem wine.
Yin and Yang: Yoga and Kickboxing
Photo courtesy of Tin and Yang: Yoga and Kickboxing on Facebook.
When: June 12, 7 – 9:30 pm
Where: RiNo Yoga Social — 3101 Walnut St., Denver
Cost: $15, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: Put your yoga practice to use in self defense with this yoga and kickboxing sequence. Instruction in Muay Thai Kickboxing will follow a vinyasa sequence. Restorative stretches and mini-massages will end the class. Check it out and learn how to two practices balance and compliment each other.
Hip Hop Yoga: Tupac vs. Biggie
Photo courtesy of The Beat on Facebook.
When: June 21, 6 – 7:30 pm or 8 – 9:30 pm
Where: The Beat — 1221 Pecos St., Denver
Cost: $18, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: If you’re a fan of both hip hop and yoga, this is the move. The class will kick off with a live hip hop performance followed by an hour of all levels vinyasa flow — complete with the flows of both Tupac and Biggie. There will be local vendors and refreshments available before and after class, as well.
Goat Yoga
Photo courtesy of Denver County Fair on Facebook.
When: July 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and July 23, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m
Where: Denver County Fair — 4655 Humboldt St., Denver
Cost: $1o, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: The viral sensation has finally made its way to Denver! Find yourself being nuzzled by a cuddly baby goat in downward dog at Denver County Fair’s Goat Yoga. Hand washing stations and on-hand sanitation staff will be present, but be prepared — you’ll be hanging out with farm animals!
Silent Disco Glow Flow
Photo courtesy of ViewHouse on Facebook.
When: Select Tuesdays at 7 pm. Find exact dates here.
Where: ViewHouse Eatery, Bar and Rooftop — 2015 Market St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Enjoy yoga with some vibrant tune-age at Silent Disco Glow Flow. The free class features a 60 minute class during which each yogi gets a pair of Sound Off Colorado LED headphones. Both the yoga instruction and music DJed by DJillE will be heard through the headphones, and drink specials and $14 rice bowls will be offered after the class.
Yoga at Coors Field
Photo courtesy of the Colorado Rockies.
When: August 19, 8:30 am
Where: Coors Field — 2001 Blake St., Denver
Cost: $30 – 70, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: This year marks the fifth annual Yoga Day at Coors Field. A private, on-field session brings together the best of two worlds for yogi Rockies fans. A ticket to yoga day includes access to the morning class and admission to the Rockies vs. Brewers game that evening.
Hoppy Yogis
Photo courtesy of Great Divide
When: June 9, 6 – 7 p.m.
Where: Great Divide Barrel Bar — 1812 35th St., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Enjoy a free class led by instructors from CorePower Yoga RiNo and enjoy some local craft beer afterwards. The class will be held at the new Great Divide location and will feature tunes from DJ Sandwich. There will also be an opportunity for women interested in working in the beer industry to learn more about the Pink Boots Society, an organization for women in the beer industry.
Wanderlust
Photo courtesy of Wanderlust on Facebook.
When: July 15, 7:30 am – 2:45 pm
Where: Cheesman Park — 1599 E 8th Ave., Denver
Cost: $20 – 49, find tickets here.
The Lowdown: Wanderlust is a “mindful triathlon.” It’s based on community rather than competition and features 75 minutes of DJ-powered yoga as well as a laid-back 5k (done at your own pace with no pressure) and group meditation. Vendors and bonus activities will be there, too.
Yoga Rocks the Park
Photo courtesy of Yoga Rocks the Park – Denver on Facebook.
When: June 25 and July 9, 8:30 – 11:30 am
Where: Sunken Gardens Park — 1099 Speer Blvd., Denver
Cost: Free
The Lowdown: Celebrate yoga, meditation and music at the summertime tradition of Yoga Rocks the Park. The mornings start off with guided meditation and Dharma talk then lead into a 90-minute all-levels class. And “after party” follows with vendors, food and drinks.