Humpday Health: ‘Goat Yoga’ classes now available in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — There’s a new form of yoga available to people in the Port City, but forget downward facing dog. Why not downward facing goat?

“We love bringing the goats out to the co-op. It just makes everybody smile. They laugh. You get extra blessed if you get a little pellet on your mat. That’s extra good luck by the way,” said Mary Jordan.

Jordan and her family own the goats at Be Life Farm in Bladen County.

At the urging of their friends, they are now bringing the animals to Tidal Creek Co-Op in Wilmington for monthly goat yoga classes.

“We had friends kept telling us about goat yoga, ‘Y’all’ve gotta do goat yoga.’ So we offered it last year out here, and it’s taken off so much we’re doing it once a month now for 2018,” said Jordan.

They hired local yoga instructor Kim Henry to lead the class.

Jordan says the goats are just as big a part of the class as the people.

“She incorporates goat-themed moves and ‘baaamaste’ and all that good stuff. The goats are right on time. They get underneath people, they eat oats off somebody’s toe, they rub up. She’ll have you, when you’re doing a move, reach out and pet the goat. She incorporates the goats all in it,” said Jordan.

We checked in with a few of the participants who just finished their first goat yoga class.

They said they enjoyed it and one of them even left with a little luck.

“Fun, interesting, unexpected experience with the goats. Someone had the droppings spew forth,” said Gloria Albanese.

“That was me. Had to clean my mat off,” said Becky Nesbitt.

“You cannot be serious with goat yoga. You always have to smile,” said Jessica Thomason.

The $20 classes are scheduled for the fourth Saturday of the month from now through May, and the third Saturday of the month from June through December.