Shanti Yoga Roots and Prodigy Brewing combine beer and yoga
Sounds of laughter and relaxing music rise from the basement of Prodigy Brewing on Center Street. Every Monday from 8-9 p.m., locals of all skill levels participate in “Broga”.
According to participants Broga is a form of yoga where people of all abilities and experience levels come to unwind with a drink.
“Our goal is to have people do yoga and meditation and leave feeling better than they came in,” said Heather Collins, the owner of Shanti Yoga Roots and the Broga instructor.
The event includes low lighting, incense sticks and soothing music to create the Broga experience. Alcoholic beverages are served to the participants throughout the session.
Collins said this collaboration of local businesses benefits the community of Logan because of the connections made between the people who attend.
“We build this comradery,” Collins said, “They get to tell jokes and do cheers and just be silly. Yoga can be serious, but we make it silly.”
The class has a pre-registration requirement and a $10 fee to participate.
“In Logan, there are so many small businesses that no one knows about,” said Kelsey Gardner, a waitress at Prodigy Brewery and a junior at Utah State University. “It’s nice to combine them so that people are coming in to see what Prodigy is all about, and people are getting introduced to the yoga studio.”
The owners of Shanti Yoga Roots and Prodigy Brewing are close friends who started hosting the classes because they both had interests in yoga and beer.
“We’ve just always wanted to do beer and yoga,” Collins said.
The participants use yoga mats with Prodigy Brewing’s logo, made especially for the class. While only people over 21 can order alcohol, anyone is welcome to join the yoga circle.
“There’s so much science behind yoga,” Collins said. “It’s the connection of the breath to the body and soul and its movement. Letting stiffness out, releasing trauma, and really connecting body awareness.”
Taryn Hansen, a server at Prodigy Brewing, said those who participate in the Broga circle leave satisfied.
“It gets people out and moving, and it’s really good for the community,” Hansen said. “Everybody seems happy. There’s not a huge community in Logan where people are drinking, so it has a different crowd that I think people know is unique.”
Prodigy Brewing, Logan’s first family-friendly brewery, opened in July of 2022 and occupies a historic 122-year-old building. Along with alcoholic beverages, the restaurant serves hamburgers, pizza, chicken and more.
Prodigy often collaborates with local groups such as the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market and various bands who perform at the restaurant.
Those who have never tried yoga are encouraged to attend by both Prodigy Brewing and Shanti Yoga Roots.
“We have some experienced yogis down there,” Gardner said. “We also have people who want to come drink and have a good time. Everyone’s just here to try something new.”