Have you ever done yoga with a goat?

Including animals a hot trend in Atlantic Canada, and instructors say participants can’t get enough

“Have you ever walked into a room full of puppies (or other cute animals) and left sad?” asks Kelsey Nogler.

Nogler is the co-owner, fitness class instructor and personal trainer at Training for Life, a health and fitness studio in Middleton, N.S. The 28-year-old enjoys incorporating animals into physical activity and says the majority of her studio’s clients do too.

Nogler is a certified pilates and yoga (Piyo) instructor and offers Puppy Piyo and Puppy Stretch and Tone classes.

Puppy and goat yoga is a fastgrowing trend across Atlantic Canada, with more and more studios across the region adding fourlegged friends to classes.

“We often spend so much time thinking fitness is negative while only thinking of the physical benefits when really, it does so much more. Adding animals to the mix offers a major mental boost,” explains Nogler.

“The great thing is the classes are made inclusive to a large range of age groups. I’ve had kids to seniors come out and enjoy.”

FUN FOR THE ANIMALS

The classes are very enjoyable for the animals as well, says Nogler. That’s how she got started offering puppy yoga.

“I also foster dogs, and with the permission of my regular class members, they would allow me to bring in some fosters from time to time to enjoy the socialization and cuddles,” she explained.

It’s a three-way benefit, as the classes take place purely as fundraisers for various causes.

“We had a dog rescue that brought their puppies, so we organized with them, but have had a farmer bring in their personal goats, and then the money was donated. We try to find rescues or animals that are in need of a home to help with socialization or getting them noticed,” said Nogler.

Safety is also top of mind during the sessions, she says.

“It’s important to make sure the animals we use are socialized beforehand so that they’re safe during class,” she said.

“There is always someone, or multiple people, in charge of keeping an eye on the animals and tending to their needs during the classes so that we can also focus on the exercise portion, too.”

GROWING IN POPULARITY

Nogler noted the recent increase in popularity of animal-themed yoga events as the demand for it has grown at her studio.

“I think that it’s gained popularity because the healing powers that animals have are amazing,” she said.

“Just being able to come to a class with animals makes it exciting and unique and instantly raises your happy hormones while decreasing stress hormones. We also know exercise does this, so mixing the two is powerful.”

Participants find the classes a lot of fun, she says.

“Every class brings great memories; I love being able to see everyone so happy and interacting with the animals while we do something good for our bodies,” she adds.

Nogler has big ambitions for the future, including opening classes to a variety of other animals.

“I’m always actively searching for some fun animals. I would love to do a ducking or baby chick class… call me crazy, but they’re cuddly too. I am looking forward to offering bunny, horse, lamb, and more,” she explained.

“It’s great for people to see the impact even the most random animals have. Chicken yoga is apparently amazing, too.”

CREATING A BUSINESS

Another animal that excels at yoga classes are goats. For Blossom Grove farm in Colpitts Settlement, N.B., manager Katie Campbell says goat yoga is their main attraction since introducing it last fall.

“We are a farm first, but the goats love interacting with people, and that’s where the idea for goat yoga was born,” Campbell explained. Blossom Grove recently built a new event barn with goat yoga in mind for the design, said Campbell.

“Our little herd of Nigerian dwarf goats were already established and very friendly when we decided to do this, which was one of the main reasons we decided to offer it,” she says.

“We partnered with a couple of fantastic certified yoga instructors and they really enjoy it, too.”

Blossom Grove also sees a wide variety of ages participate in its classes, including people who go purely to hang out with the goats.

“One lady came to a session and, as she was laying her mat down, she said she didn’t actually care about doing yoga…she just wanted to visit with the goats,” Campbell recounted.

“This stands out to me because it emphasizes the idea that this activity is attracting people that wouldn’t usually be participating in yoga classes and brings them out for a night of wellness.”

‘ENRICH THE LIVES OF OUR GOATS’

Animal wellness is always a top priority for the farm during these classes.

“One of the reasons we started this program was to help enrich the lives of our goats, as they really do love interacting with people. We have multiple people present during each class that are trained in handling our goats and watching for signs of fear, anxiety and stress, so they can quickly intervene,” she explained.

“We only hold the class a few times a month, so the goats aren’t overstimulated.”

Every participant must also sign an agreement that outlines the respectful treatment of the animals, she explains, so there is an understanding of how to behave around them.