Canadian Western Agribition kicks off in Regina with goat yoga

Nov 22, 2017
 
Canada's largest livestock show got underway in Regina with a new and unusual event. 
 
For the first time ever, goat yoga was included as part of the Canadian Western Agribition.
 
Dana Hassett, who was one of the first people to start goat yoga in Canada, decided to bring the class to Regina. 
 
At Grotto Gardens in Maple Creek, she started Canada's first goat walk and saw the interaction between the goats and the people.
 
"They just loved the goats and they always said they're coming for their goat therapy," she said.
 
She heard of goat yoga in Oregon and thought it would be a good fit for her animals.
 
"It's always good for a laugh," said Hassett.
 
Both of the instructors at Grotto Gardens are self-professed animal lover from ranching backgrounds.
 
Yoga teacher Louellen Murray said they created the class from an animal therapy perspective.
 
Both Murray and her counterpart are certified in ashtanga, yin, restorative, netra and children's yoga, so she said they still approach the practise seriously.   
 
"Our goats participate by simply coming around and loving you. So we have the goat, heart connection, we call it," she said.
 
Although you'll still get a good workout in, there's something about goats that makes people more willing to hit the mats.
 
"It's not lowering your expectation. It just seems more accessible," said Murray.
 
Source : CBC