Home Better Living Health and Wellness ExerciseWhat Is Goat Yoga?

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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Goat Yoga: Lainey Morse started offering goat yoga classes on her farm after her friend suggested her goats would make the perfect addition to the practice. Better Living Health Wellness

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.

Goat Yoga: Participants enjoy petting the goats before, during and after class. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: Goats roaming nearby their mats relax and calm yogis as they move through poses. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: Some participants pause mid-pose to take photos of the furry class companions. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: Morse says the goats help yogis focus on the present moment, a fundamental of the practice. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: It’s hard not to smile when a goat lingers on your mat. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: Morse says these social animals bring a meditative quality to class. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: This combination of nature and exercise can be therapeutic through the bond that’s created. Better Living Health Wellness

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

Goat Yoga: The goats sometimes choose to approach certain participants, which makes visitors feel special. Better Living Health Wellness

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

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