Where We Live: Downward dog with a herd of goats

Since beginning my journey to become a yoga instructor I’ve had the chance to lead a class on top of Palmerton’s Blue Mountain, one of the most scenic hillsides overlooking Carbon County.

The calm and serenity of the panoramic view made it easy to drop into a Zen-like state as I spoke through the instructions of deep breath, sink a little low, relax the shoulders, release the place just between the eyebrows, before leading my students to the final resting pose of Savasana, or corpse pose, allowing the old to “die away” and soaking in all the benefits from holding downward facing dog, making your way up to “Om.”

But on May 5, at Palmerton’s Blue Mountain Resort, this was not that class.

Blue Mountain held its “Bark Bash,” where dogs of every shape and size bring their humans to an afternoon of live music, craft and adoption booths, added to this year was yoga with goats.

When Jim Thorpe Yoga owner Maya Kowalcyk asked me to teach two half-hour classes in a pen with these four-legged creatures I couldn’t have been more excited. A longtime animal lover, I had noticed advertisements for the themed classes in other cities.

I planned out the most beginner class I could for my two sessions, with plenty of time to interact with the gentle-hooved guests.

As soon as I arrived at Blue Mountain, I was immediately glad I had taken the Saturday morning gig. Not only were there packs of English mastiffs and French bulldogs to meet and greet but there was my very own pen of goats to pet and “meditate” next to.

Goats of all sizes surrounded me and the students. The largest two goats were by far the friendliest and softest. One of the handlers informed me the type of wool on the large goats is called “cashmere,” and after a few belly pets it is easy to feel why it’s labeled as such.

I was just as excited if not more so than the students who paid their $5 to join me. As we sat on our blankets under the warm sun and began to deepen our breath, the goats moved in closer to see what exactly we were up to.

I tried my best to focus on giving clear instructions: shoulder shrugs, neck rolls, and big breath in, big breath out, a few twists and so on. The goats crept closer, interested and friendly. They nibbled on the edge of our mats and a smile spread across all of our faces. “Breath in, lift the heart toward the sky,” I said.

Finally I could no longer be professional, “and reach out and pet your goat friend,” I instructed.

Clearly this was the cue everyone had been waiting for. Eyes lit up as peals of delight escaped my students who were more than happy to interact with their new four-legged friends.

Tartan, the largest and softest of the herd, decided this was his moment to figure out exactly what glasses are as he inched closer and closer to me, stretching out his neck until his nose brushed the side of my cheek.

I giggled and he accepted this as an invitation to get a little closer as he continued the inspection of the right side of my face. Closer and closer until I could no longer remain focused. I reached out to hug my new goat friend as he good-naturedly nibbled the arm of my glasses. And just like that it was over. Another teacher entered the pen as I made my way out.

It was certainly the most unique and fun class I have taught.

If you ever have the chance to do a few down dogs next to these gentle creatures, I’d recommend it.