Yoga with Shelter Cats is the Purrfect Workout For Your Body and Soul

 

Here at Meowingtons, we've always been of the opinion that cats make everything better. So when the Miami-Dade Animal Services teamed up with greenmonkey^® Yoga to host "Meowmaste," a yoga class featuring some of their adoptable kittens ... It was time to break out the yoga mats and pet some cats.

 

  

Green Monkey yoga instructor Marrisa Lew led the 45-minute class, aided by one of the shelter's many adoptable kittens. June is in the middle of "Kitten Season," so shelters all across the US are flooded with kittens in need of homes. June also happens to be Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! Talk about purrfect timing.

 

 

Anywhere from 28,000-30,000 animals a year stream into the Miami-Dade Animal Services facility, so spreading awareness and participation in adoption is paramount. And what better way to encourage adoption than getting to know the animals on a more personal level? 

 

 

 

Participants laid out their yoga mats among the literal playground that was put out for the kittens; but as the class started, the toys were abandoned and the ladies became kitten playgrounds instead.

 

 

 

 

In an interview, Marrisa Lew told CBS Miami that, “From almost a psychological standpoint, [yoga] really helps the animals calm down. It helps the humans calm down." Some of the kittens may have gotten a little too calm and decided to take a little catnap!

 

 

Studies have shown that yoga can benefit your body and your mind, helping to strengthen you core but also to ease stress, anxiety, and depression. Cats have been known to have the same calming effect on humans, and even help reduce the risk of heart attack and strokes. 

 

  

While some might find the cats distracting, the ladies in this class seemed more than happy to have a kitten nestled on their back or helping them with their form. "I think in a yoga class, people tend to get so caught up with what their pose should look like," said Lew. "And I think with cats running around, it kind of adds a bit of fun.” 

 

 

This little kitten was smitten with our Wild Cat Leggings! 

 

 

Here we see one of the kittens giving instructions on her "Downward Facing Cat." No dogs allowed in cat yoga!

  

 

Another kitten yogi helping a student with her Bridge Pose. 

  

 

After the 45-minute class (and some catnaps) the kittens got a well-deserved treat. 

 

 

Interested in adopting one of the cute 'n cuddly kittens featured in these photos or getting your yoga on with some cats? You can find out more about Miami-Dade Animal Services' upcoming pet adoption events on their site, or find events closer to you! Each yoga class is $20, reservations are required (and they fill up quick)! All the proceeds go directly to the shelter to help other cats in need.