I was curious and had wanted to try it for a long time. Iâd read that goat yoga had begun in 2016 on a farm in Oregon where Lainey Morse was getting through a difficult period. Cheered by the presence of her lovely goats, she invited friends to share the joy. One friend, a yoga teacher, suggested they roll out their yoga mats. And thatâs how the global trend was born.
âGoats have a sense of calm about them. Itâs hard to be stressed or anxious,â Morse says. âTheyâre also funny, they want to snuggle or lay on your mat and be petted. Theyâre the perfect therapy animals.â The only real difference between goat yoga and a traditional yoga class is the goats, most often Nigerian Dwarfs. When you bend over, a goat hops on your back. If youâre in a lunge, one might come up for a snuggle.
Since Morse launched her business, goat yoga classes have sprung up around the world. I joined the fun at Quinchien Farm, close to Montreal, in Vaudreuil-Dorion. I was a bit skeptical, but my heart melted at the sight of Bonzo, Biscuit, Jellybean, Charlotte, and Zumbaâall ready for action ⦠and cuddles! Caroline Roy, the instructor, explained that goat yoga is all about fun. âYou can do the poses, stop to pet the goats, hold a pose longer if youâve got a goat on your back. The idea is to relax and enjoy yourself, and the goats.â She kicked off my class with sun salutations. The goats wandered around, and as soon as we bent over into flat back, the goats sprangâliterallyâinto movement.
My take? Goat yoga has all the elements of yoga alongside aspects of animal therapy, itâs definitely not a conventional practice. My experience was a lot of fun and goats give great massages!
Quinchien Farm also offers mobile goat yogaâincluding goats, animator and yoga teacherâat the location of your choice. What an excellent idea for a bachelorette party, corporate team-building event, or a creative happy hour with colleagues ⦠the possibilities are endless!
When it comes to goats, zoonosis - or the transmission of disease from animal to human - is a possibility. Before booking your yoga session at any farm, you may want to inquire as to the certification of their livestock.
Photos: Ferme du Domaine Quinchien