If you know anything about me, you know I love animals. LOVE.
For the last couple of years, I’ve heard rumblings of something called “goat yoga.” Always in places unfairly far away from me. So I just added it to my bucket list and quietly sulked about the injustice of it all.
Until last month. when a notification from the Clay County Fair popped up on my Facebook feed, announcing a FREE (with gate ticket) Goat Yoga session on the first Friday of the fair.
Guys, if Facebook and Alexa are spying on me and listening to my conversations, and it brings me gifts like Goat Yoga, then I am a-ok with the invasion of privacy.
I RSVP’d immediately, and started counting the minutes to the big day.
I even had my friend at Cutified Creations make me a special shirt.
My concerns were valid. By the time I purchased my ticket, went to the restroom and got to the Cattleman’s Arena, it was 11:15 and the goat corral was absolutely swarmed with men, women and children, looking forward to the class.
I signed the liability waiver and got into the pen. By this point, the area was probably 70% full and I was able to find mat space near the back corner, along the gate. I put my bag and flip flops behind me and one of the volunteers advised that I stick everything outside the gate because the goats will nibble. Sure enough, one of the goats wandered over and started investigating my hat, so I complied.
The corral was lined with wood shavings, and in the middle was a platform, reserved for the yoga instructor. Goats were absolutely everywhere, doing whatever it is that goats do.
I was in heaven.
After everyone got organized and settled, the class began. It was a 30 minute flow, and I’m sorry to say, it wasn’t the most strenuous class I’ve ever taken. Mostly because I was way more interested in hugging goats than finding my inner breath.
I’m not sorry at all.
The goats were adorable. They wandered in and out, investigating the yogis. Volunteers wandered around the mats, making sure that no one was bothering the animals (everyone was very respectful) or the animals weren’t bothering anyone else (a group of goats found great interest in the woman in the corner behind me and effectively penned her in).
We moved through a nice, easy flow, while keeping an eye on the sweet animals around us.
At one point, I got stuck on my belly, because a couple of goats decided to walk over my legs. It was ok. I was fine waiting.
I didn’t stop smiling the whole time.
I was sorry to have the practice come to an end. I was practically skipping. There’s just no way to spend time with these sweet creatures and not walk away in a good mood, especially when doing sun salutations at the same time.
There were only two minor negatives to the whole experience. Yes, goats tend to relieve themselves wherever they choose. One did so in the vicinity of my mat. It wasn’t super close, but I had to keep an eye on it, just in case. And the who shavings went everywhere. It took some seriously scrubbing to get them off my yoga mat, and when I got in the shower when I got home, they were falling out of my sports bra and other places. It wasn’t a dealbreaker for me.
Mission accomplished. I can officially check Goat Yoga off my bucket list, but I would do it again at every opportunity.
And no. I did not kidnap that little baby. I wanted to, in the worst way, but I restrained myself. See? I can behave.
Have you done or would you do Goat Yoga?
What’s the coolest non-traditional activity on your bucket list?
That picture of you and the goat smiling! LOL! I’m sure the goats enjoyed it as much as the participants! But it has to be hard to be mindful with all that cuteness, not to mention the goats peeing and pooping nearby…
I just saw an ad for cat yoga….
I think most of them loved it. There were a few shy babies who stayed under the platform, but most of them were very social and engaged.
In a way, though, you’re almost more mindful. You can’t be focused on outside negativity or thoughts, if you’re focused on the goat nibbling the edge of your mat, you know?
I don’t know how I feel about cat yoga. I saw that advertised as well, and …. the jury is still out.
This is the cutest. I want to do goat yoga so bad. It sells out so quickly here, though!
Rachel recently posted…Five Interesting Facts about ‘The Year Without a Summer’
I believe it! I think my favorite was how stunned the carnival workers were that people showed up en masse for this event. One of them asked me if I had done this before and why did so many people seem to want to. I couldn’t understand how that was even a question!
I’ve never been interested, but you make it sound so fun — I can see doing it for the ridiculous joy of it.
Coco recently posted…Note To Self
I think that’s the whole point: the ridiculous joy. I was grinning like an absolute fool. How can you have a bad day after snuggling a goat on a yoga mat? You can’t.
OMG how fun! I would love to do something similar with puppies
Kimberly G recently posted…5 Minute Reads This Friday
If puppy yoga was a thing, I would be elbowing people out of the way in my rush to get there. Until then, the goats are an absolutely acceptable substitute.
Super cute photos but not sure I am into the goats pooping around me!
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…CryoTherapy First Impressions
It was very little poop. Promise. And it really wasn’t awful at all. I think I would have been more upset if one decided to empty its bladder by me.
I don’t think I’d venture into the ring for this, but it does look interesting! So many cute pics!
I could have taken pictures all day, if they would have let me. I adored those babies.
Omg – when I first read this title I didn’t think ig was actually yoga with goats! How unique. I would totally try it and I’m not even a yoga person
Actually yoga with goats. I don’t think you have to be a yoga person. Just a person who loves goats. And exercise. And mostly goats. It was everything.
I had never heard of goat yoga before until the most recent season of the Amazing Race. It sounds like such a fun experience. And who doesn’t love getting to exercise while getting to play with such cute animals?!?
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Loudoun Half Marathon Training Log – Week 7
Love it! Sounds like so much fun. I think if ever I find the opportunity to do Goat Yoga, I may invest in a very cheap mat that could be dedicated to such things. Probably they should just supply them there, but what do I know?
That teeny one you’re snuggling is just the cutest thing ever!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Thursday’s Threads
I think this is lovely! I also love pets and do yoga from time to time just to ease my back pain. Goats are sweet creatures I’d love to meditate with. 🙂
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