WHY GOATS:
For whatever reason, the goats seem to have a greatly calming effect on race horses, who are often extremely temperamental. ... There's even a rumor that the expression "get your goat" started being used at the track where thieves would steal the goat of a favored horse in order to make the horse perform poorly. While the tale might be a fiction, its proliferation shows just how strong the bond between horses and goats can be. - This could have been one of the reasons to begin Goat yoga with humans to see the effects the baby goats could have on people when being around them in their environment.
WHY YOGA:
Do you ever feel like you’re at the zoo during the middle of yoga class? Yoga asanas (or poses) include crow, eagle, downward dog, pigeon, lizard, dragon (okay, maybe that’s not a real animal), and so many others. Yoga poses are taken from imitating animals or something in the nature.It appears that the ancient yogis found imitating animals to be an enlightening experience for both the body and mind. we enter an animal-named pose, we both endure a physical exercise and experience a psychological exercise of embodying the symbolism of that particular animal.Consider the cat, an expert in relaxation. On awakening from sleep, they instinctively stretch and arch their spine in both directions before softening and moving onward. Doesn’t it make sense, then, that we generally use cat as an “awakening” pose at the beginning of practice, gradually loosening our body?
WHY GOAT YOGA:
Goat Yoga is a yoga session in which goats wander freely through a yoga class, nuzzling, rubbing against and climbing on top of the students. It’s essentially a form of animal-assisted therapy. It could be a surprise to many that baby goats are unexpectedly smart, social and profoundly cuddly animals. There is always a healthy dose of unpredictability in the goat yoga session. They might jump on your back, or give goat hugs, or they might just lay down on your yoga mat and snuggle up next to you. The Kids(baby goats) love to jump on higher surfaces and making their hoofs tap. So as soon as someone gets into a Plank or a downward Dog, the baby goats climbs onto the back. Now the student wouldn't want the goat to get hurt, hence holding onto the posture- thus getting a good exercise whilst having fun, meanwhile the baby goat gets distracted and finds another downward dog to climb onto :)
Being around animals and in nature can make us feel good, and scientists have proven that this isn’t just in our heads. Animals have a measurable effect on our physiology and psychology. Most goat keepers would agree, and claim that there is nothing better for raising one’s spirits than watching goats play. Their exuberant joy is so contagious that it’s nearly impossible to remain in low spirits around goats. Hence after a good "Goat Yoga" session, these are the benefits you can expect:
1.lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels
2. reduced anxiety and depression
3.improved sleeping habits, memory and mobility
4.increased flexibility and strength
5.decreased stress hormone levels.
6.improved respiratory, cardio and circulatory health.
7. increased survival rates after life-threatening diseases.
8. Improved mood, thus releasing the Happy Hormones : endorphins, dopamine and serotonine - the benefits resulting through the same.
9. Improved energy and vitality.
10. Improved focus, and mindfulness.
11. Boosts confidence.
12. getting in touch with your soul hence connecting back to your natural self.
13. Being in the present.
14. Learning to Let go.
These are just a few benefits to name.. the overall feel good factor, will let you remember that hour with baby goats for your life and it will be in your list of happy times memories forever :)
Last but not the least.. this quote sums it all up( don't know who said it) : "Get lost in nature and you will find yourself"
