The trend of goat yoga started in 2016 by a farm owner in Albany, Oregon. Amanda Henderson, the owner of Goat Yoga Richardson, has over 30 goats. Photo by Megan Zerez | Mercury Staff.
Goat
Yoga Richardson, a grassroots organization that offers classes all over the DFW
Metroplex, began with just four goats, neighborhood friends and founder Amanda
Henderson’s backyard.
The
concept of goat yoga originated on a farm in Albany, Oregon in late 2016 and
has since become a popular trend across the country. It consists of yoga
classes where goats have open access to interact with the participants by
cuddling, jumping or climbing on them. Participants are encouraged to play with
the goats as they go through the yoga routines by giving them treats and
petting them.
“It was
crazy, you know — obviously it has become quite the trend, but we were not
expecting that,” Henderson said. “We were just doing yoga in our backyard with
our four pet goats.”
Henderson
said the challenges involved with launching Goat Yoga Richardson had less to do
with business and more to do with learning about the maintenance and health of
the goats with limited amounts of resources for goats as pets instead of
livestock.
“The
research that’s been done about having goats in our lifetime (has) really only
been done with the thought that goats are being raised only for meat or milk,”
Henderson said. “Well, that was not what my goats were for, and so I was trying
to treat them like pets and there really isn’t a lot of information out there
if you’re raising a goat.”
Henderson
said her goal in creating Goat Yoga Richardson was to appreciate the
connections that animals can have with people. She said another goal was to see
more interaction with animals of all kinds and for that to become more widely
accepted and available.
“For the
most part, (the feedback) is just sheer joy and smiles,” Henderson said. “That
carefree feeling that you get after an active and hilarious activity.”
The
goats of Goat Yoga Richardson lack any sort of formal training. Rather, they
are encouraged to socialize with the yogis through treats that are given to
them throughout the lessons. Henderson said for the goats, watching the others
also helps them to realize that the yoga lessons are a fun experience that
bring with them excitement and love.
“I don’t
think you have to train them to hop or be curious or be funny,” Henderson said.
“You don’t have to teach goats that. If they feel comfortable, they just naturally
do it.”
Henderson
said the classes offered by Goat Yoga Richardson are often sold out because the
class sizes are relatively small. The sessions can have anywhere from 30 to 80
people in attendance. Goat Yoga Richardson will be hosting an event at UTD on
March 25.
“We’re
looking to keep (our classes) somewhat intimate, so the goats have a chance to
get to know everybody, hang out, do what they’re going to do,” Henderson said.
She said
the best aspect of goat yoga, in her opinion, is interacting with the goats.
She said they are naturally funny, curious and friendly.
“I just
think they’re the best,” Henderson said. “I think my goats are the best goats.”