[Cowdance]

Hello

Given the popularity of goat yoga in the US (and now Amsterdam apparently) I decided to experiment with my sheep. Could be Britain's answer to goat yoga...? Considering it as an activity through my company Cowdance (yoga retreats - not cows!).

Certainly I find sheep very relaxing and can't see why you couldn't practice yoga with them for therapeutic effects! What do you think? Has anyone ever practiced yoga or meditated with their sheep close by?https://www.cowdance.co.uk/single-post/Could-Sheep-Yoga-be-the-new-Goat-Yoga

If you're interested in taking a look, here's a link to the video on my website
https://www.cowdance.co.uk/single-post/Could-Sheep-Yoga-be-the-new-Goat-Yoga

Cheers

Fiona

[Marches Farmer]

When I'm around my sheep I'm too focused on looking to see if they're limping, nabbing at flystrike, got their ears down, got their heads stuck in the fence, etc., etc., to do anything else

[harmony]

When I'm around my sheep I'm too focused on looking to see if they're limping, nabbing at flystrike, got their ears down, got their heads stuck in the fence, etc., etc., to do anything else

Which all leads to feeling anything but relaxed I find! 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

At first i thought this was a scam lol however come to think of it would be interesting to do, albeit maybe dangerous. With the buffalo all i have to do is sit by one of them in the field and rest their heads on my lap, that relaxes me and them too, slows the heart rate down. My dad during some of his heart episodes, when his meds failed, sat in the field with the buffalo and listening to them chewing the cud and seeing them very relaxed put his heart back into rhythm... Interesting that!

[Womble]

I find sitting with cudding sheep very relaxing. I'd certainly give yoga a go too. Just got to watch where you put your hands in a sheep field, and make sure that your downward dog doesn't scare them too much!

[Buttermilk]

I can be relaxed by my animals but will give the yoga bit a miss thank you.  The only time I did some simple yoga I had a bad back for ages after.

[Cowdance]

At first i thought this was a scam lol however come to think of it would be interesting to do, albeit maybe dangerous. With the buffalo all i have to do is sit by one of them in the field and rest their heads on my lap, that relaxes me and them too, slows the heart rate down. My dad during some of his heart episodes, when his meds failed, sat in the field with the buffalo and listening to them chewing the cud and seeing them very relaxed put his heart back into rhythm... Interesting that!

Thanks for your thoughts and sorry for the slow reply! No scam I'm just trying to think of interesting things to do as I build up the rest of my business and, contrary to 'beer yoga' etc. which is surely just a gimmick, sheep yoga is genuinely relaxing.

A touching story about your dad. There is something so peaceful about ruminants in particular I think.

[Cowdance]

I find sitting with cudding sheep very relaxing. I'd certainly give yoga a go too. Just got to watch where you put your hands in a sheep field, and make sure that your downward dog doesn't scare them too much!

I agree, that's the main concern really. Insurance, poo and being nibbled!

[Liz Kershaw]

I work with teenagers excluded from school - often vulnerable kids in care or from chaotic backgrounds - and the animals have an amazing effect on them. They can often start to connect with an animal and then go on to make trusting relationships with humans. I find my sheep really relaxing and often sit with them for half an hour (after doing the not very calming checks and extricating bits of bramble from them etc. ) not sure about yoga though as they tend to crowd round me if I sit with them and I can envisage disappearing under a sea of hooves and fleecy legs if I were lying down.

[Cowdance]

I work with teenagers excluded from school - often vulnerable kids in care or from chaotic backgrounds - and the animals have an amazing effect on them. They can often start to connect with an animal and then go on to make trusting relationships with humans. I find my sheep really relaxing and often sit with them for half an hour (after doing the not very calming checks and extricating bits of bramble from them etc. ) not sure about yoga though as they tend to crowd round me if I sit with them and I can envisage disappearing under a sea of hooves and fleecy legs if I were lying down.

What you are doing sounds wonderful Liz.

I know what you mean about the crowding round. I am trialling the experience with a few friends to see what happens!