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What Is Goat Yoga?

by Megan Troise

Thanks to Lainey Morse, founder of The Original Goat Yoga in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this unusual fitness trend has grown quickly around the country.

If you enjoy this story, check out All Creatures magazine, where you'll see stories all about the animals who share our lives.

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Lainey Morse started offering goat yoga classes on her farm after her friend suggested her goats would make the perfect addition to the practice.

Lainey Morse started offering goat yoga classes on her farm after her friend suggested her goats would make the perfect addition to the practice. Eight of Morse’s 12 goats participate in classes.

Participants enjoy petting the goats before, during and after class.

Participants enjoy petting the goats before, during and after class.

Goats roaming nearby their mats relax and calm yogis as they move through poses.

Goats roaming nearby their mats relax and calm participants as they move through poses.

Some participants pause mid-pose to take photos of the furry class companions.

Some participants pause mid-pose to take photos of the furry class companions.

Morse says the goats help yogis focus on the present moment, a fundamental of the practice.

Morse says the goats help yogis focus on the present moment, a fundamental of the practice.

It’s hard not to smile when a goat lingers on your mat.

It’s hard not to smile when a goat lingers on your mat.

Morse says these social animals bring a meditative quality to class.

Morse says these social animals bring a meditative quality to class.

This combination of nature and exercise can be therapeutic through the bond that’s created.

This combination of nature and exercise can be therapeutic through the bond that’s created.

The goats sometimes choose to approach certain participants, which makes visitors feel special.

The goats sometimes choose to approach certain participants, which makes visitors feel special.

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