International Day of Yoga: Niche Yoga Formats Thrive on Eventbrite

• Stand Up Paddleboard yoga, alpaca yoga, laughter yoga, goat yoga and forest yoga are gaining traction as innovative yogis bring the benefits of the ancient practice to whole new audiences.
• Yoga events grow by 33% over the last year and attendance increases by 55%.
• Over 10% of yoga events on Eventbrite are online.
• Yoga retreats see surge in popularity with 55% increase in events and 88% increase in attendance over the last year. 

Novel yoga formats on event marketplace Eventbrite – such as SUP (stand up paddle board), alpaca, laughter, goat and forest yoga – are growing in popularity as they bring the benefits of the ancient practice to whole new audiences.

Eventbrite data for yoga events in the UK recorded a 55% uptick in people attending classes over the last year (2022 to 2023), when almost 200,000 attendees enjoyed more than 12,000 yoga experiences all over the UK.

With British practitioners continuing to keep yoga fresh with many different formats on the platform such as boxing yoga, chair yoga, tantric yoga and aerial yoga, it is enticing people to sign up, whether it’s as a one off or a regular thing.

Eventbrite’s Sebastian Boppert said: “Yoga provides many body and mind benefits through poses, breathing techniques and meditation, but there’s no rule book to say you can’t have a little fun when doing so. Some yogis may prefer to do things the traditional way but alternative classes on Eventbrite can be equally effective even when they’re a little different. And if they’re attracting entirely new audiences to the global yoga community, we’re up for that.”

Alpaca Yoga by Rebecca Marwood, Yarm

Rebecca Marwood enjoyed yoga for almost a decade before qualifying to teach the practice in 2020. So when she was taking some photography at a farm with alpacas in Yarm, the owner asked her if she could deliver some alpaca yoga classes. They have really taken off.

An Alpaca Yoga session by Rebecca Marwood

“Alpacas are intuitive animals who know where healing and calm is needed and that’s why they’re invited to hospices,” explains Rebecca. “When we’re breathing and meditating well, they will come up close to us. It’s beautiful. They’re amazing, spiritual creatures. Our attendees have a lovely connection with them.

“We can’t have big classes, as they need to be safe for the yogis and the alpacas, but our alpaca yoga events are really popular throughout the summer with about 15 practicing at each session. We hold the classes in a field with the young male alpacas and then attendees get buckets of carrots to feed the females alpacas afterwards – they love it!”

SUP Yoga (Stand Up Paddle Board) with Alex Wittering, Worcester

Alex Wittering is not only a 200hr qualified yoga instructor and a qualified SUP instructor but a fully qualified ASI SUP yoga instructor, one of only a handful in the UK with all three qualifications. She uses these skills to teach people SUP Yoga on the River Avon, at Lidos in Cheltenham, Chipping Norton and on a private lake in the breathtaking Malvern Hills.

SUP Yoga with Alex Wittering, Worcester

From May to September, weekly classes for people at all levels, from beginners to advanced, are becoming increasingly popular among those keen to practice yoga on the calming presence of water. Alex also runs two full day retreats involving SUP yoga, good food, swimming and Mindfulness workshops led by her husband, MBCT (mindfulness based cognitive therapy) teacher, James Wittering.

Alex says: “SUP yoga was very niche when I started but it’s most definitely on the up. The perception is that it’s going to be difficult and while it can be challenging – there’s a need for more balance, more focus and more mindful movement – anyone can have a go and get the benefits of SUP yoga. The added challenge of balancing on our boards leaves us little room for busy thoughts, it’s a fun way to improve your strength, flexibility and balance. It’s about getting outdoors, embracing a new perspective and restoring even the most frazzled minds.

“I think it’s becoming more popular because anyone who has ever laid by the sea listening to the waves, or meandered along a riverbank will know the calming effect of the water. It adds another special dimension to your yoga practice.”

Yoga with Goats by Diana Malone, Ipswich

Diana Malone trained to be a yoga teacher 11 years ago in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She introduced Yoga with Goats after hearing about the USA phenomenon from a yoga teacher over the pond.

“Yoga with young goats is such fun and from April to November, we have people from all around the UK joining us including people that book a class before they come to Suffolk on holiday. The classes are so popular that they always fill up and we get more and more enquiries every week. 

“We practise outside in nature, connecting with the earth, people and animals. Goats are like children, they love human interaction and are unpredictable, which makes our attendees stay in the moment – you have no idea what they’re going to do next. The classes are accessible to everyone and the goats just mill around. Some people just sit on the mats and interact with the goats while others are stretching but taking extra care in balancing as the friendly goats weave in and out. 

“Our attendees, who have been between the ages of eight to eighties, get a huge release of feel-good hormones that bring happiness and relaxation. We do lots of different yoga classes but run a goat yoga class fortnightly. Yoga with Goats can get fully booked up to six months in advance by people all over the country, including businesses and hen parties.”

Forest Yoga by Charlotte Short, Skipton

Charlotte Short from Leeds trained to be a yoga teacher in Nepal in September 2023 and set up her Forest Yoga retreats in November 2023. She had practised yoga and meditation for 10 years prior to achieving a Yoga Alliance 200 hours teaching qualification.

Her forest yoga events sell out fast and such is the popularity of the retreats that next year she will host two a month instead of one.

Charlotte said: “The retreats are held in the beautiful Gisburn Forest on the Yorkshire Dales/Lancashire border and include yoga sequences, breathwork and meditation. We practice Vinyasa and restorative yoga, which involves connecting one pose to another in a smooth flow. Attendees tell me that the forest helps them feel more meditative, calm and relaxed.

“We have people of all ages attending, from 18 to 70, and families enjoy the retreats together too, including sisters and fathers with their daughters. The stunning location helps people feel more connected and there’s a great sense of community at the retreats, people enjoy the big chef-prepared lunch together around the table and leave as friends.”

Laughter Yoga by Sara Kay, Manchester

Sara Kay trained in Laughter Yoga in 2016 after struggling with depression. Her personal experience is a testament to the transformative power of this unique practice.

 She teaches Laughter exercises as part of a bi-monthly two-hour relaxation therapy session in Hale, Cheshire. The sessions include Yoga Nidra (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) and a Sound Bath by her colleague, Dr Nicholas Peters.

 Laughter Yoga, developed in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria, combines yogic breathing with intentional laughter initiated by specially designed warm-up exercises.

Sara said: “During the pandemic, my online classes were very busy, with people joining worldwide. It is a positive activity that was much needed – people seemed more open to stepping out of their comfort zone and trying it to feel happier and less stressed. Laughter Yoga is still popular online.”

 The College of Medicine recognises Laughter Yoga as a suitable social prescribing activity for mental health and asked Sara to deliver Laughter sessions at its online international conference in 2021.

 She continues: “Now back in person, I deliver Laughter Yoga and Bollywood Laughter Dance workshops for individuals, businesses, and adult community groups, including the Women’s Institute, plus sessions at Pride events and well-being festivals. 

“Did you know that you can laugh without feeling happy? The many benefits include a large healthy dose of feel-good endorphins, better resilience to cope with challenges, improved confidence and social connection, increased energy levels, decreased stress levels, immunity boost, and pain relief.

 “My sessions mainly comprise females over 30, but anyone is welcome. I would advise giving it a go – willingness is the only equipment needed, and you’ll enjoy how you feel afterwards!”