Raising goats started as a hobby for the owners of Rock Chapel Ranch.
But now their furry little friends are part of weekly goat yoga classes at the Flamborough farm, where participants have a good stretch — and a cuddle.
Owners Sheryl Heddle-Kafka and Calvin Kafka have been running the yoga sessions for two seasons.
“We just gravitated to the goats and it turned into something more than just our own entertainment,” Calvin said.
“We thought this could be shared with other people in the community.”
Calvin said their goats give birth in March, making spring and summer the perfect time for yoga with the babies. Sheryl said the goats are a cross between a silky breed and a pygmy goat.
When FlamboroughToday visited the farm, a group of friends had booked a private session with the goats.
“None of these girls knew they were doing yoga. One of them booked it and went to the dollar store for a whole bunch of yoga matts,” Sheryl said.
The classes are taught by instructor Lindsey Koster, who practises Hatha Yoga. Sheryl said this type of yoga is calming and focuses on stretching.
Calvin said the type of yoga in a typical class is “very laid back” and that the point of goat yoga is to relax and connect with the animals.
Rock Chapel Ranch offers goat yoga classes to the public every Saturday and Wednesday for $30 per student; they also offer private bookings.
On August 8 at 2p.m. and 7p.m. the ranch is holding special classes to raise money for charity. Half of the proceeds from those sessions will be donated to Animal Adoption of Flamborough, where Sheryl is a volunteer.
Classes are for anyone 13 years or older.
