Imagine doing the downward-facing dog pose while being surrounded by goats.
Yes, you read that correctly. There is no need to adjust your eyes or glasses.
It’s called Goat Yoga, and while it’s not new, it’s considered an entertaining twist by yogis.
Goat Yoga Dallas puts on Goat Yoga events once every Saturday and Sunday during the summer. The events are held twice each Saturday and Sunday when it gets cooler, according to the group’s social media manager, Alexander Melky, speaking in an interview with The Dallas Express.
Goat Yoga is meant to bring joy and fun to those who enjoy doing yoga or just want to meet the animals.
“I like the novelty of Goat Yoga,” said Alison McLallen, a yoga enthusiast.
“I enjoy that they incorporated the fun of the animals with the practice of yoga,” she said with a laugh as a goat defecated on her yoga mat.
These cute and furry animals are not shy and will nibble on your fingers. You are also likely to see them defecate on your mat or the ground around you. Some will even jump on top of you.
The Dallas Express asked first-time Goat Yoga attendee Anthony Mickelson how he heard about the event.
“I heard a friend at work talk about goat yoga, and I was like, ‘I’m going to look into that,’ so it was word of mouth,” he replied.
Yoga has two definitions. It is defined as a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will so that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
It also refers to a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation methods derived from Yoga but often practiced independently, especially in Western cultures, to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Some benefits of yoga are that it helps improve strength, balance, and flexibility and provides relief from back pain.
It can also help ease arthritis symptoms, help relax the body so a person can sleep, reduce stress levels and body-wide inflammation, help contribute to heart health, and much more, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
To find more events by Goat Yoga Dallas, visit their Facebook Page and Instagram.