Everything You Need to Know About 'Goat Yoga'

Although it may not seem like it, baby goat yoga is the newest fitness craze taking the country by storm.

Goat yoga is exactly what it sounds like—yoga exercises done with actual goats. This course is intended for students who are looking for a unique learning experience. While it may sound strange, most students feel uplifted when they leave the classroom.

Celebrities like Khloe Kardashian have embraced this escalating trend that originated in Oregon in the United States.

What is the Concept of Goat Yoga?

Caprine vinyasa, or more commonly known as "goat yoga," was created in 2016 on a farm in Oregon by Lainey Morse, the farm's owner, who discovered comfort in spending time with her goats during a depressive period in her life.

Morse quickly started hosting similar get-togethers for her friends, coining the phrase "Goat Happy Hour." One of these acquaintances was a yoga teacher, and she proposed that they hold yoga sessions on Morse's field with a mountain view. After that, the concept spread like wildfire and gained momentum on its own.

What is Goat Yoga Good for?

What is the purpose of goat yoga, you may still be wondering. What are the advantages of goat yoga?

1) It relaxes and relieves stress

Watching goats frolic around your feet is impossible without grinning; their happiness is contagious! According to studies, even five minutes of playtime with an animal can alleviate stress.

This is due to the fact that engaging with animals lowers levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, while concurrently raising levels of serotonin and dopamine (hormones that trigger happiness). You can unwind and simply re-establish contact with everyone around you by doing this form of yoga.

2) Adds up to your workout

This yoga was developed in part to make workouts more challenging. Any activity requires greater effort because of the additional weight of the goat. Your total strength, as well as your muscular and cardiovascular endurance, are all enhanced by doing this. If you haven't worked out in a while, let the lighter and smaller goats jump on your back rather than the larger ones.

Is Goat Yoga Expensive?

Goat yoga is not pricey, though. It is perhaps one of the most reasonably priced forms of yoga offered. These sessions often cost $10 to $15 per session, which is considerably less than the price of regular yoga classes.

It is a fantastic choice for individuals looking for an inexpensive and enjoyable way to practice yoga because of its low cost.

Due to the cost of caring for contented, trained goats, this form of yoga can be a little more expensive than a typical yoga class, at some centers.

Is Goat Yoga Cultural Appropriation?

The act of absorbing components from a culture other than your own, or choosing which components of that culture you want to engage with, is known as cultural appropriation.

In the yoga community, this appropriation seems to be commonplace. Like goat yoga, where participants perform asanas as baby goats bounce in and around them. For people who deeply believe in the philosophy of yoga, this form of yoga may sound like a playful activity.

Some advanced yogis may argue that yoga is a mindful activity that is a means of achieving enlightenment. It is a way of life that goes well beyond just bodily considerations.

However, goat yoga can be considered a cultural appropriation, as it involves performing yoga. And adding a playful twist to it does not make it any less effective. In fact, it helps elevate mood.