Downward Dog? No, Grazing Alpaca
After goat yoga, the latest dotty fad
WHAT’S in the essential yoga kit? A mat, some Lycra leggings and an open mind.
Oh, and now there’s an addition to the list... some alpacas.
If the novelty factor appeals, then yogalovers would have to head to a remote rural smallholding.
Owners Nick Stringer, 55, and his partner Lucy Aylett, 46, decided to offer their ‘unique experience’ by running classes in the same field as their alpacas. ‘ We wanted to move to Devon and change careers, so we bought the alpacas and got some land,’ said Miss Aylett, who used to run a pet supply store.
‘The alpacas have a very calming presence. We breed them and found that time just flew when you were around them and we wanted to share that. They’re not lively animals, they’re not jumping all over you like goat yoga.
‘They’re very relaxed and people go away feeling calm. In our location, there isn’t much going on. It’s all very peaceful and the alpacas add to that.
‘We started doing the yoga classes last spring. I want to do it in the field so the animals can join the people if they want to but they don’t have to.’ The classes at Rosebud Alpacas in South Molton are led by qualified instructor Sian Bartlett and followed by light refreshments.
Also on offer are alpaca walking, alpaca picnics, alpaca art sessions and a special alpaca ‘connection package’.
This allows guests to be guided in meditations with the chance to ‘walk among the herd in mindful observation’.