Rutland Farm Park in Oakham to launch yoga classes with alpacas and goats
Rutland Farm Park is combining the soothing powers of animals and yoga to help take the stress out of a troubling 12 months.
The Oakham attraction has joined a growing trend and is set to introduce yoga classes in with the alpacas and goats.
They began searching for yoga teachers last month and hope to launch the classes in May or June depending on Covid restrictions and demand.
"The essence of yoga is to be at one with nature and it’s a very organic hobby, so you can’t get more organic or more with nature than on the farm," said livestock manager Amy Ball.
"We have lovely outdoor fields near the farm animals or, if it rains, a sheltered barn surrounded by animals that they can do yoga in."
Amy believes there is a great demand for relaxation techniques after a traumatic 12 months.
Interacting with animals is known to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, while exercise increases the so-called ‘happy’ hormones, dopamine and serotonin.
"We expect the demand to be fairly high," Amy added.
"The idea is already popular in America, and the popularity with yoga is increasing rapidly in the UK, too.
"We’ve all heard of dog yoga, so why not goat yoga?
"Goat and alpaca yoga should help you release any built-up tension and stress while being able to reconnect with your surroundings and yourself."
As well as the benefits for humans, Amy believes it will also prove popular with the animal onlookers.
"Goats and alpacas are both very intelligent and social creatures, this makes them curious towards what is going on," she explained.
While tourism has been hard-hit by lockdowns, it has been a particularly tough year for Amy and mum Julie who are the fifth generation to run the family farm.
They have also had to deal with avian flu control zone restrictions, lifted last week, after November's outbreak near Melton Mowbray, and a very wet winter, but are gearing up to reopen in May.
"It is scary because you don't know if you're going to get to the end of the month," said Julie.
"But we have been very well looked after by our supporters and local people bringing in food for the animals.
"Just knowing that people are thinking about us means the world."
