A pop-up event, ‘Kitty Yoga’, is coming to Sheffield on March 14 and 15, giving participants the opportunity to practice mindfulness whilst kittens roam the studio around them.
The class is run by ‘Kitty Yoga Manchester’ whose aim is to combine yoga with ‘kitten therapy’ and aims to promote relaxation, zen and stress relief.
The founder of the company, Anastasia Ioannidou, said that: “It’s a sense of animal therapy and encourages people to get more active by doing yoga practice.
“The combination of yoga and kittens works perfectly as cats give off a calming nature, which is perfect for those who experience stress.”
“It also helps socialise the cats before they are adopted into families.”
Even though the company is based in London and Manchester, they are trying to host more pop-up events in different cities this year, so that a wide range of people can enjoy the experience.
The kittens come from registered and certified catteries which keep the animals before they are able to go to new homes when they are 12-weeks old.
The first 12-weeks of a cat’s life is an important time where they should be socialised in order to become well-trained and happy animals.
The company hosted their first Sheffield-based pop-up in January which was extremely popular and they are happy to make a return. Their aim is to come back in the future.
Ioannidou said: “Kitten Yoga gives off so many benefits, both for the kittens and humans.
“Some people who come to our classes have had a stressful day or they just need a pick-me-up and it is amazing to watch their mood change and switch by the end of the session.
“I love meeting people and talking about cats, whether it is a shared love for cats, or their own animals at home. It unites a cat loving community together and it is lovely to see.”
If people wish to adopt a kitten after the session, the company can give participants contact details, however there is no guarantee that they will be able to take a cat home.
At the beginning of each class, the cats are allowed to roam the room for 10-15 minutes and attendees are encouraged to pet and interact with the kittens before the yoga actually begins.
You can sign up to their mailing list and book via their website: Kitty Yoga
