A different way to do the Downward Dog. With a cat…

So many of us practice yoga these days. Although originally from ancient India, it has become a mainstream exercise/mindfulness part of life for many of us. There are many different yoga classes to choose from these days, and to my delight that includes yoga with cats.

Trying a Cat (Yoga) Cafe

Cat cafes are increasingly popular – the first one opened in Osaka in Japan. You can find them in most places around the world, and many are also running yoga sessions with their resident felines. If that isn’t going to help calm your mind and body, I don’t know what will. This popular class in Sydney is a great example of what’s available, but obviously in a cat cafe, don’t pick up the cats!

Fit Man with Cat Yoga

Another example of yoga with cats you can enjoy virtually, is the very popular Sho Ko, who holds his furry friends, Shorty and Kodi while doing yoga. He has a YouTube channel and the cats also have their own X/Twitter following.

“There is nothing more attractive than a man with a cat,’ fan Devin Dixon says.

Yoga With Kittens

What could possibly be more uplifting than yoga with kittens? Nearly 3 million people have tuned into this – a ten minute morning ritual.

Yoga teacher Kassandra was fostering the kittens at the time. She says, “No props are needed and this is suitable for all experience levels. We’ll go through poses like balancing table, gate pose, pigeon, child’s pose and three-legged dog. This sequence will relieve aches, pains and stiffness that are so common in the morning.”

Kassandra is a generous yoga teacher and you can try many free video classes here. And I didn’t have any kittens to hand but I tried her morning ritual with my cat, Lady Alfie and I can attest it was the purrfect way to start the day.

I believe in the calming benefits of having a cat, so combining cats with yoga is a definitely winner for me.