Have you heard of goat yoga? I know you’re probably thinking, ‘You’ve goat to be kidding me!’ As odd as it sounds, though, goat yoga is a real thing, and it’s growing in popularity. I hadn’t heard of it until a friend of mine recommended it a few weeks ago. It’s a yoga class…with baby goats.
Now if you’re picturing a bunch of goats doing yoga poses, you’re a little off, but not by much. You do the yoga poses, and the goats frolic around you. While you exercise, you can pet them, and if you’re lucky, one might even jump on your back.
For my birthday this year, I couldn’t come up with a gift idea, so Mr. Handsome accompanied me to a goat yoga class put on by Shenanigoats, a Nashville company that specializes in goat yoga and goatscaping. The baby goats do the goat yoga classes, while the older goats work in the goatscaping business helping property owners clear their land. You can also hire the goats for private parties and events.
Now back to the goat yoga. Two of the goats (wearing pink and green fuzzy pajamas…my heart melted when I saw them) were only five weeks old, while the others were a little older but still under six months. There were a few different breeds, but the pygmy goats were by far the cutest.
The class was one hour long, and the yoga routine was at a beginner level. The yoga was great, but the goats were even better. You don’t have to be an animal lover to enjoy the class. As someone who has a decent fear of dogs, I had no problem being around the goats. They were very gentle, and they didn’t try to eat anyone’s fingers or toes.
Mr. Handsome pulled off a bridge with a goat on his stomach. I was highly impressed. Not only can I not do a bridge, but if I could, I certainly couldn’t do it while balancing a goat.
At the end of the class, we had 10 minutes to take additional photos with the goats. We goat some really cute ones!
Goat yoga truly was a unique experience, filled with loads of laughter and entertainment. And if you’re having a baaaaaad day, the goats are sure to make you smile! (Okay, no more goat puns.)
What do you think of the idea of goat yoga? Would you be up for trying it? For my readers in the Nashville area, be sure to check out the class schedule on the Shenanigoats website.
I’ve never done it, but my friend’s farm a coupe hours away started offering it a couple of years ago. Baby goats are adorable, and I’m glad you had fun.
Happy birthday! I hope this next year is your best one so far.
Thank you for the birthday wishes! 🙂
Ellie
I've never heard of this. It looks funny😁. The goats are cute and I would be tempted to take one home.😊
I agree. I was definitely tempted to take one home. I told Mr. Handsome that if we ever live in the country, we will need to have pet goats. LOL.
Ellie
There's a cat cafe in my city, where it's a half coffee shop, and half cat care enter where rescue cats get to hang out until they get adopted (the two sides of the cafe are separated by a glass wall for hygienic reasons). They run a kitty yoga program, which has looked super interesting. I've heard of goat yoga and would totally do it if there was a class near me. Here's a link to the cat cafe site: http://www.regalcatcafe.com
Yoga is a great workout, lengthens and stretches your muscles, and is deeply calming. So many great benefits. I always leave a class feeling so limber and my mind is at peace.
That cat cafe sounds so awesome! I would love to go there. I don't know about goat yoga but I would definitely do kitty yoga.
I’ve been to a similar place in Japan. It’s awesome!
No thanks, I'll pass. I see goats doing…well, what goats do…and the possible transfer of barnyard bacteria to me, my clothes, my mat.
Your not going to get barnyard bacteria from them they are inside goats.
The goats my get bacteria from you LOL
You may take the goat out of the barnyard, but you can't take the barnyard out of the goat. They are ruminants, and their digestive systems, if healthy, should contain the microbes needed to digest what they forage. My friend is a research vet who has worked with fistulated cattle (look it up – I've seen it in person) and the microbes in their digestive systems. There are good reasons why milk is pasteurized, meat is cooked, and we wash our hands after being in barns or around farm animals.
BTW, ruminants do what ruminants do (doo?) quite frequently. It's a normal part of the plan. An "inside" goat is not a neat housepet.
It is not a totally sterile world. People have to build up resistance by exposure. With no exposure people will get sick!
Ellie I love the pic that is the 4th one down, when you have the goat balanced and his leg is hanging over your leg, sooooo adorable! Bet that was a fun time for you and your husband!
Thank you! It was loads of fun.
Ellie
Never heard of it. This looks cute!
Thanks, Alayna. The goats were adorable.
Ellie
I have never tried goat yoga.It looks cute! It looks fun.
Ellie Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Beth!
Ellie
Sincerely they're so young, are the pajamas to keep them warm?
I think so. The ones in pajamas were by far the cutest.
Ellie
Yoga in a skirt?
Goats in pajamas….far less euphonious than llamas in pajamas.
I think it looks so cute! I always find goats funny the way they like to get on something. Personally I like that animals are brought in and appreciated for being fun friends that can get involved in acivities and it is mutually beneficial. In the Bible God Himself uses the example of a man who had a goat and loved and appreciated it everyday until someone coveted it and took it from him. In a way by going along, maybe Mr Handsome is letting you know that he really loves you alot.
Now you have some good metaphorical pictures to post all over the place.
Yep, he was definitely letting me know how much he loves me by going along. Definitely isn't something he would choose, but he ended up enjoying it. 🙂
Ellie
I sometimes do beginners yoga at home for relaxation. Never heard of goat yoga. I don't believe I could be relaxed with a goat on my back. The pictures are hilarious and the goats are adorable with pj's on. Thanks for posting this…Jane
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Jane. It definitely wasn't as relaxing as a regular yoga class, but the goats sure put everyone in a good mood.
Ellie
Looks like a fun time and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ELLIE!
(Is there a cake picture?)
Thank you! I didn't really have a cake this year. We celebrated with family at Easter, and someone made a cake for all the spring birthdays, but I didn't get a picture.
Ellie
Belated, "Happy Birthday"!
Thank you!
Ellie
Great.
Love your post Ellie! Fascinating that goats, dogs & cats can be part of yoga class. From what I have seen about dogs in yoga class, they not only relax and comfort humans but dogs also benefit especially if they have been abused in the past. Thank you for sharing. Happy Birthday (belated). Looks like you had fun! I hope this year brings many lovely times for you. We share a birthday month, I think. Mine was today (the big 60th)!!! I am grateful to God for my life experiences in living, loving & learning.
~C
Thank you for the birthday wishes. Happy birthday to you, as well! Praying that you have a blessed year ahead.
Ellie
Happy Birthday ! (belated)
It looked like you had a fun and very memorable birthday. Bless You and Mr.Handsome. You are an adorable and 'handsome' couple. I wish we had more original and fun activities and venues in my area of middle Georgia. Enjoy life and love
I'm so glad you posted about this!
That looks like so much fun. What a creative idea to have to have baby goats involved like that. Now I want a baby goat, lol, they are so adorable,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELLIE GOAT YOGA, U are cutting edge, AND I AM NOT KIDDING, LOL!!!!!!