The power of Goat Yoga

For those of you that have not heard, you can have goats join you for a good session of Yoga.  It appears these funny little creatures, with their love of climbing onto things and their own unique sense of humor are perfect to help people in their Yoga.   I don't know how I would find this and I did wonder if I could get my cats to help me out, but it seems there are people that are finding great benefit from sharing their Yoga sessions with goats.

This extraordinary form of Yoga started in the US and now people across the UK can now sample the delights of this form of Yoga practice.

Forget the downward dog and the cat stretch, this is the latest yoga craze – the trampling goat.

Holding a stretch while a pygmy goat balances on your back has proved so popular with yoga devotees in America that the method has been brought to the UK.

It was created by US farmer Lainey Morse, who said her goats got her through being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and a divorce. 

Attempting to restore your spiritual balance with a small goat perched on your back might not sound that relaxing but instructors insist it is very therapeutic.

‘In our first class we had goats clambering on our backs, licking our toes, chewing our hair and nibbling at the yoga mats, which was quite hysterical really,’ she said.

‘And humour makes yoga more therapeutic for people who might be going through a difficult time.’ 

Anyone struggling to imagine how a goat might help them unwind will be surprised how light and gentle their hoofs feel, she says. 

‘They place one hoof on, then before you know it there’s an angora goat on your back. 

'The longer you’re still, the more likely they are to climb on you, which encourages people to be calm and relaxed.

Leading animal behaviourist Dr Roger Mugford said it was no surprise yoga pupils found the presence of goats therapeutic.

‘These animals can lower the heart rate because they release the “cuddle chemical” oxytocin, which produces the same type of feelings as when a mother looks at her baby or a lover looks at their partner,’ he said.

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