Keep calm and rock on with San Diego Metal Yoga

Warrior 1 takes on a whole new meaning at Societe Brewing Company and The Ken Club.

Health-conscious San Diego is known for its abundance of yoga classes, and many have offered a spin on the meditative workout. New classes frequently pop up that incorporate yoga with other beloved elements of the city, such as plants, animals and craft beer.

Now adventurous yogis can pair their Cobra with yet another twist: metal music.

Taryn Popplewell, founder of San Diego Metal Yoga, heard about the concept through a friend who had seen it on the east coast. After searching around for the same opportunity in San Diego with no luck, Popplewell decided to host her own class.

In August 2017, she teamed up with Jacob McKean at Modern Times Fortress of Raditude to bring the idea to life. Each 21+ class offers a flowing workout to the tunes of Sabbath, Pelican Howl and the like, followed by a well-deserved glass of craft beer.

Though it was a great partnership, San Diego Metal Yoga quickly outgrew the Modern Times location due to its popularity. All classes now take place at two larger venues: Societe Beer Company in Kearny Mesa and The Ken Club in Kensington. Each session often draws 20-30 people.

“I didn’t think Metal Yoga was going to be something that happened more than a few times, but San Diego has a really cool cross section of people who like yoga/exercise and metal. And beer,” Popplewell said.

The workout playlist mixes all types of subgenres, such as heavy metal, thrash metal and hair metal. Rather than influence moves of the yoga flow class, the metal music attempts to decrease interruptions and increase yogis’ connections to their mat.

“I’ve been in other classes where the music was so bad that it really distracted me!” she continued. “Yoga is all about focus and focusing is hard when the music sucks. It’s really a regular flow yoga class that plays metal. In a bar. That also includes a beer. It’s a great combo.”

Classes are typically held on the second Thursday of the month at The Ken Club at 7:30 p.m. and the last Saturday of the month at Societe Brewing Company at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 online or cash-only at the door, and include a free beer to keep the party going past the final Shavasana.

San Diego Metal Yoga

When: Second Thursday and last Saturday of the month
Where: The Ken Club, 4079 Adams Ave., Kensington (Thursdays); Societe Brewing Company, 8262 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Kearny Mesa (Saturdays)
Online: facebook.com/SanDiegoMetalYoga