Metropolitan Farms founder Benjamin Kant, a yoga devotee, is partnering with Tula Yoga on a yoga class in the greenhouse. [DNAinfo/Janet Rausa Fuller]
WEST HUMBOLDT PARK — You can’t swim with the fishes at Metropolitan Farms, but you can practice sun salutation next to the fish tanks.
The aquaponics greenhouse at 4250 W. Chicago Ave. is inviting yogis of all levels to a class at 5 p.m. Sunday led by Tula Yoga instructor Cassi Stuckman.
The Vinyasa-based class might feel Bikram-level hot.
The temperature inside the greenhouse is on average 10 degrees warmer than outside. Sunday’s high looks to be 90 degrees.
“We’re doing it a little later in the afternoon, so it shouldn't be too bad,” Metropolitan Farm’s founder Benjamin Kant said.
Kant, who lives in Logan Square, has been a longtime regular at Tula, 2827 W. Belden Ave., going as frequently as three times a week and befriending Tula owner Maile Wicklander in the process. While still planning and building the farm, he suggested Wicklander do a yoga class there someday.
Wicklander said she’s drawn to yoga in unconventional spaces. She once did a class in an alley, and her studio is known for its free yoga class on the lawn next to the Logan Square Farmers Market on Sunday mornings.
She recently jumped on the latest trend: yoga in breweries. Tula is wrapping up a six-week series of Saturday morning yoga in the taproom at Hopewell Brewing, 2760 N. Milwaukee Ave. The final two sessions are from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday and July 30.
“After the class, you get a pint of beer, which has been fun,” Wicklander said.
After Saturday's class at Metropolitan Farms, attendees will be treated to wine, snacks and pesto made by Kant’s mom using the farm’s basil. They’ll also get a tour of the greenhouse, which can yield more than 92,000 heads of romaine lettuce a year.
The bring-your-own-mat class is $25, or $15 for Tula members. Tula is offering a carpool from the studio. Tickets are required and for sale on Metropolitan’s and Tula’s websites.
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