AN EAST LANCASHIRE farm is hosting ‘goat yoga’ sessions after the success of their event earlier in the year.
Mrs Dowsons Farm in Clayton-Le-Dale will be hosting the sessions on four dates this month and say the unique activity is ideal for yogis of all abilities.
If you’ve never heard of it before, goat yoga is exactly what it sounds like. A yoga instructor will lead a class of humans while goats interact with them – sometimes jumping on their backs too.
Ethan Dowson, worker and production manager at the farm, said the team thought goat yoga would be a good idea after months of lockdown.
He said: “With lockdown and many of us stuck at home for so long we understood that some people might be eager to return to green spaces.
“We wanted to try something different and relaxing – something that will bring people back to wildlife.”
It's not the first time goat yoga has come to the farm as they also hosted sessions during summer.
Ethan explained: “Goats came over and started jumping on people.
“It felt like a real balance of yoga and relaxing therapy.”
He also explained that it is an activity for yoga experts and novices alike.
He said: “Some people came regularly and were doing amazing moved and stretches.
“It’s an activity for everyone. For example, I had never done yoga before – I couldn’t even touch my toes but I still had a great time.“
How does a goat yoga session at the farm work?
Ethan describes the farm’s yoga sessions as “rustic” as you will be in a barn with hay under your feet.
Chloe, a yoga instructor, will lead the sessions and introduce you to the goats and you’ll spend time getting used to them and them to you before the yoga begins.
Ethan explained: “All moves are animal-inspired or in some way appropriate for the animals so they can get involved too.”
After the 45-minute session you will have 30 minutes to pet the goats, take photos and relax in the barn.
How can I get tickets for goat yoga at the farm?
Goat yoga at Mrs Dowsons Farm will take place on the following dates:
- 9th September 2021
- 18th September 2021
- 19th September 2021
- 24th September 2021
Sessions will take place at 6pm and 7:30pm.
Tickets cost £11.79 per person and can be purchased on the Mrs Dowsons Farm website.
The farm is located off the A59 on Longsight Road.
It isn't the only East Lancashire farm to offer goat yoga.
Cronkshaw Fold Farm in Rossendale also offer them for £25 a session and you can book your tickets online.
Farmer Dot McCarthy, the owner of Cronkshaw Fold Farm, was also able to keep her staff employed during the pandemic thanks to a surprising global demand for her goats to appear on Zoom calls, helping to make the business £50,000.
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