by Violet Koh
On 19 June, we saw 8,000 yoga enthusiasts across Singapore celebrate International Day of Yoga (the actual occasion falls on 21 June). With the sport gaining popularity locally, we thought we’d share some unique – aka weird – types of yoga from all over the world with you.
#1 Goat yoga
The idea first came to goat yoga founder Lainey Morse when she was facing a tough period in her life and realised that having baby goats around lifted her spirits. Eventually, incorporating the animal as therapy pets during yoga sessions caught on, especially for cancer patients and people suffering from depression. Goat yoga classes in Oregon are conducted in a farm, a few sessions per week.
#2 Equine yoga (Horse yoga)
Horse yoga is practised at the Doma India School in San Luis, Argentina which aims to tame and calm traumatised, nervous horses whilst also calming the person practicing. But as the practice caught on, more places – from the US to NZ – are offering this form of yoga. Unfortunately for us, goats and horses are rather hard to find here in Singapore, let alone do yoga with them.
#3 Doga
You guessed it, dog + yoga – the practice of doing yoga with your beloved furry friend. Some benefits of doga include strengthening the bond between owner and pet, calming effects on both parties, as well as gaining a better handle on your dog. Although the practice has not been brought to Singapore, you could always try this at home with instructional videos on Youtube! Alternatively, if you’re more of a cat person, Neko Ni Nawa actually conducted Yoga with Cats classes.
#4 Yoga raves
This idea was conceived with the intention to prevent young adults in Argentina from turning to drugs and alcohol. Instead, yoga raves have vegetarian food and healthy alcohol-free drinks, all in line with yogic philosophy. One rave session lasts up to 4 hours and consists of basic yoga, dancing and meditation. This sounds like a good way to calm our angsty Singaporeans and perhaps hopefully, avoid more bikes being thrown down from buildings and into canals.
#5 Aerial yoga
Also known as anti-gravity yoga, this practice combines ancient yoga techniques with modern acrobatic exercises. Using yoga hammocks to suspend one’s body in the air, you’ll learn to quiet your mind and strengthen your core – all while feeling as though you’re floating! Benefits of this practice include re-alignment of the spine, reducing back pain, as well as increased muscle strength. If you’re really keen on trying this out, good news – aerial yoga classes can be found in local studios such as Upside Motion, Platinum Yoga and Simply Yoga.
#6 Beer yoga
These are words you never thought you’d hear – come to class with a beer. The bottles will be used as props while attempting yoga poses and yes, you most definitely can sip on your beer during the session. Originally from Germany, according to Bier Yoga, the reason for this practice is because “both are centuries-old therapies for mind, body and soul”. Yoga studio Trium Fitness brought beer yoga into the local scene when they conducted Happy Hour Yoga earlier this year in February.
#7 Paddleboard yoga (aka SUP)
For all water-loving yogis, SUP yoga practices on the currents of the sea with a stand up board. Apart from testing one’s balance, paddleboard yoga also increases flexibility, strength and calms the mind. Paddleboard yoga classes are available in Stand Up Paddling School Singapore.
