04/16/2026
𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗠𝗰𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆 𝗠.
A year ago, McHenry 's first-ever in-person yoga class happened at Beer & Yoga, and it pushed him just enough to spark something bigger.
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘩 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘠𝘰𝘨𝘢?
I found SPY a year ago when my friend Leslie invited me to Beer and Yoga at Service Brewing. I love yoga and thought it would be a great way to experience a local brewery (I worked at a brewery in my twenties so I’m a big fan of them). I wasn’t new to the practice because I had done at-home yoga via Youtube for years. However, that day was my very first in-person group class EVER and it kicked my butt a little.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦?
I tried my first in-studio class shortly after my first Beer and Yoga experience. Mind you, I had never done hot/heated yoga before. It was so fun! I left and I was HOOKED. I’ve been a member ever since. I love the heat. I love all the sweat. It just really makes me feel alive and in my power. Plus, everyone at the studio is really friendly and welcoming. I moved to Savannah almost two years ago and I’m so grateful to have found this community to be part of. :)
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥?
I think my practice has become more intentional for sure. Intentional with my breath, intentional with my movements, intentional with curiosity; there are so many parts. I also would say I’ve gained so much more strength. Especially in my calf muscles lol (s/o half moon and standing splits).
𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 5𝘒𝘴 — 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵?
Honestly, the challenge of hot yoga inspired me. I made a commitment at the beginning of the year to be healthier and more active. I already walk and hike a lot with my dog but I wanted to add more endurance exercise. I noticed running was a popular activity amongst other yogis so I bought a pair of running shoes and said let’s try it. I just think it is so cool what humans can accomplish. I’m far from ready but my goal is to complete a marathon one day.
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 (𝘰𝘳 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢)?
I love taking a yoga class after my runs. I'm already sweaty and warmed up and the yoga gives me a chance to release, slow down and stretch my muscles. What I love about both forms of exercise is that there isn’t any special equipment needed. It’s just you and your body doing the work and getting stronger. That always feels so good.
𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺, 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢?
Yes! Yoga has helped me to be more mindful of my breath and to notice what my body is feeling while I’m running. It has also helped me push myself and maintain an encouraging mindset while I’m running.
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘚𝘗𝘠?
Whew! Honestly, so happy! I always take class in the morning before work during the week (shout out to my 6am crew!) and I always leave feeling ready to conquer my day. The feeling of personal accomplishment is invigorating! I genuinely look forward to my classes!