Trying Goat Yoga was chaotically brilliant fun as one of my fifty-two new things in 2024. I defy any animal lover not to smile from start to finish if they give it a go! A fantastic experience whatever level of yoga you’re at, and a fabulous idea for a gift!
What Is Goat Yoga?
Participants follow a yoga instructor whilst playful goats frolic around the field or the barn where it is taking place. The goats are usually quite small, and very inquisitive, and have been known to jump on the backs of people in some poses!
Yoga alone has so many benefits, including helping with both physical and mental health, and improving flexibility. Add in some animal interaction which can reduce stress and boost moods, and you’re in for an extra helping of dopamine!
Whilst you may not have the most serious of yoga practices, you’re likely to have one of the most fun flows you’ll ever encounter on the mat.
Trying Goat Yoga In North Yorkshire
The drive to the farm took an hour. Usually it would be quite a nice journey through some lovely countryside, but this was day 2 of storm Darragh, and it was wild!. Trees were down, rivers had burst their banks, and the power was out at the farm. That wouldn’t stop goat yoga!
And this wasn’t just goat yoga, this was festive goat yoga.
My pictures didn’t come out too well due to the lack of light in the barn, and the speedy goats were too interested in food to pause and pose for the camera. However, I think they have captured the wonderful mayhem of the morning!
Yoga In The Barn
The goats were in their pens as we arrived into the barn and out of the storm. Peering over their enclosures, they seemed eagerly curious about what we were up to.
Decked out in Christmas jumpers and stretchy clothes we took our places. Laid out amongst the straw in the centre of the barn were our yoga mats, which doubled up as a good hiding place for the bag of treats we were given to entice the goats to visit us.
To begin with, the goats were kept in their pens whilst the humans settled in for a grounding meditative practice. Focusing on the moment and calming our breath, all with the soothing sounds of goats rustling in the straw, as the loose chickens strutted, pecked and flew amongst us.
Incredible Instructor
Our instructor had a tough job. Not only did she have to contend with howling wind that sounded like it could tear the roof off at any minute, and the lashing rain that thundered down on the barn, she also had to compete with all of us being completely distracted by goats – which was totally encouraged!
With over 8 years experience of teaching yoga, Lisa explained that combining yoga with goats can increase levels of oxytocin, known to lower blood pressure, enhance mood, and put a grin on your chin! I was really looking forward to this!
Releasing The Goats
And then, the goats were released.
Trying our best to follow along with the yoga moves, I don’t think any of us paid complete attention as the goats ran amok amongst us, snaffling up the food we sprinkled out for them.
Apparently, the goats have been known to jump onto backs during a table top pose. Despite some cunningly deposited food to entice a leap, the goats were tall enough to reach their tasty treats without needing to bounce up and so saving their energy! It was very entertaining.
Bending and stretching and finding your hand brush across a goat that had sneaked onto your yoga mat was lovely, as was feeling a snuffling little nose around your feet. They were quite content having a fuss, when they weren’t head-butting each other to get to the food first, or playfully running around us.
Our goat-ally fabulous yoga instructor continued to work through the moves, encouraging us to interact with the goats all along the way. When I was able to follow along, it was a wonderful flow suitable for all abilities, with a festive theme! Not just a tree pose, but a Christmas tree pose, alongside skiing Santa and skating penguins.
Winding down
Ushered back into their pens, the goats left us to a returning sense of calm. The final part of the yoga was the wind down, involving lying on our mats. It was lovely and relaxing, (despite the volume of the wind and rain), and a great way to finish.
Wrapping up the session, we headed into the cosy oasis of the farm house. Enjoying a hot chocolate with all the trimmings, and warm mince pies – thank goodness for the aga.
Participants had travelled from near and far for the morning, and several people had received the goat yoga as a present! Everyone had enjoyed a brilliant morning, and we all ventured back out into the wild weather on a high.
I Loved Trying Goat Yoga
I love trying new animal encounters, and I can highly recommend goat yoga if you are an animal lover!
It wouldn’t necessarily replace a regular yoga practice, but the sheer joy and unbridled fun of the session is definitely worth a try for a brilliant experience and a good boost of dopamine.
Want To Try It Yourself?
- The goat yoga that I tried took place at Abbey Farm Cottage, in Rosedale, North Yorkshire.
- They have regular dates available to book onto for 2025.
- You can follow them on Instagram at abbey_farm_cottage
- They also offer cheese making and goat keeping courses!
- Other places offering goat yoga in the UK include Castlescreen farm in Northern Ireland; Mucky Bucket farm in Hampshire, and Mrs Dowsons in Lancashire.
- Take a look at some of the other wildlife encounters I’ve tried such as walking an alpaca, or feeding a giraffe.
Cost Of Experience
- The festive one hour session that I joined cost £25. This included the goat treats, hot chocolate and mince pies that followed the session.
- Prices will vary depending on when and where you try goat yoga.
Recommendations
- Dress comfortably. Wear something comfy and stretchy for the yoga, and that you don’t getting goat hair and straw on.
- There may be mud. If you’re trying goat yoga on a farm, there may well be mud so consider some footwear you don’t mind getting muddy.
- Take some antibac. We were able to wash our hands after spending time with the goats, but you might want to give your hands an extra clean before you leave.
- Don’t worry if you’re not very flexible. When it comes to the yoga, just do your best, and if anything is too challenging, simply adapt or miss out that pose.
- Embrace the mayhem. Goats are not the most predictable of creatures but they are full of character. Go with the flow and enjoy spending time amongst the playful animals.
- Don’t forget to get some pictures. Whilst my photo’s haven’t come out very well, they’re a brilliant reminder of a less than usual Sunday morning.
This is something I would love to try out (I’ve never done yoga, but the goats are a definite reason to do it)! This is such a brilliant idea!
I can highly recommend it! It’s such a brilliantly fun experience! I hope you can get to try it. :o)