Welcome to the wonderful world of Meowga, the sublime hybrid of cats on mats combined with yoga poses! Meowga isn’t just the latest fitness fad, it’s a notable trend in which rescue or shelter cats are introduced into local yoga classes. The goal? Besides the obvious cuteness factor, the aim is to hook up healthy cats with loving owners. Is there any place more suitable for cat adoptions than a studio where stretching and yawning is not only acceptable but encouraged?
Jeanette Skaluba, a dedicated yoga practitioner, is the brains behind this ingenious idea. She volunteers at Homeward Bound Pet Shelter, in Decatur, Illinois, and when her idea went viral she knew she was onto something.
“The point is to give cats a chance to show their personalities outside of the shelter,” she explains. Meowga got its start after Skaluba posted a YouTube video of cats and students enjoying yoga together; it blew up the internet with almost 250,000 hits last year alone.
“The cats paw their way onto yogis’ mats, climb on their backs, and even sit on practitioners’ laps, which cat lovers find endearing—oftentimes so much that they can’t resist taking a cat home,” says the yoga buff. Sign me up!
Want more information on this irresistible, um, movement? You’re in luck! Meowga, and similar type classes, are turning up at yoga studios everywhere a cat and a mat can be accommodated. Check out the website, yoga4cats.com, for more information.
Related: Should Your Cats Sleep With You?
There you’ll find participating locations near you as well as worthy projects such as Project Catification. According to the website, “Catification is about creating feline-friendly environments that cater to a cat’s natural instincts to climb, perch, rest, play, and own their space.”
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Forever Home Feline Ranch near Rochester, IL is home to the group’s current Catification Project and volunteers are always needed to help assemble cat furniture, posts, etc.
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I would never thought to do yoga with a cat. I kind of think it might be a bit distracting and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my yoga positions .
I would never thought to do yoga with a cat. I kind of think it might be a bit distracting and I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on my yoga positions .
This sounds interesting. I have 3 cats but wouldnt ever think about kitty yoga! How fun. I need to get in on some yoga myself!
What a fun concept for those that love cats! I’m not a cat person as I’m severely allergic, but I could totally see my dog doing some yoga with me.
Wow, i certainly never would have guessed something like this existed!! I can imagine people definitely being keen to take one home after bonding!
This sounds interesting. I have 3 cats but wouldnt ever think about kitty yoga! How fun. I need to get in on some yoga myself!
What a fun concept for those that love cats! I’m not a cat person as I’m severely allergic, but I could totally see my dog doing some yoga with me.
Oh my word. I do not like to exercise but if I had a cat doing meowga with me, I would!!
Wow, i certainly never would have guessed something like this existed!! I can imagine people definitely being keen to take one home after bonding!
Oh my word. I do not like to exercise but if I had a cat doing meowga with me, I would!!
I have a cat and never thought about cat yoga! I have been thinking of doing yoga for myself to help my body and mind and this would be fun.
This looks great for cats. Never heard of doing yoga with my 3 cats, may give this a try!!
I heard this is becoming a big thing with all sorts of different kids of animals. Like goat yoga 🙂
This also reminds me of goat yoga. Seems to be a new trend to bond with animals while exercising and I just love it.
I have a cat and never thought about cat yoga! I have been thinking of doing yoga for myself to help my body and mind and this would be fun.
This looks great for cats. Never heard of doing yoga with my 3 cats, may give this a try!!
Oh I love this idea. Granted I don’t need another pet. It would be hard to resist a cute and furry yoga partner.
I heard this is becoming a big thing with all sorts of different kids of animals. Like goat yoga 🙂
This also reminds me of goat yoga. Seems to be a new trend to bond with animals while exercising and I just love it.
Oh I love this idea. Granted I don’t need another pet. It would be hard to resist a cute and furry yoga partner.
I had no idea people did this! What an interesting way to bond with a pet.
I had no idea people did this! What an interesting way to bond with a pet.
Oh my gosh this is amazing! My kids love cats and they love yoga! I’ll have to share this with them.
Oh my gosh this is amazing! My kids love cats and they love yoga! I’ll have to share this with them.
This looks like so much fun! We have two cats, one would very much be into this and one would very much not. I’d love to go to a yoga studio with cats!
This looks like so much fun! We have two cats, one would very much be into this and one would very much not. I’d love to go to a yoga studio with cats!
What a great project. My brother’s cat has cancer and is in pain a lot. I bet something like kitty yoga would be wonderful for her.
I have never heard of this! So fun. My cat loves to do “yoga” with me. AKA decide it’s time to play
Hahaha cat yoga and dog yoga is actually dated now, the new trend is ‘goat yoga’. I’m serious, youtube it! Looks super fun, just need to find some baby goats.
What a great project. My brother’s cat has cancer and is in pain a lot. I bet something like kitty yoga would be wonderful for her.
I have never heard of this! So fun. My cat loves to do “yoga” with me. AKA decide it’s time to play
Hahaha cat yoga and dog yoga is actually dated now, the new trend is ‘goat yoga’. I’m serious, youtube it! Looks super fun, just need to find some baby goats.
My cats love to “do yoga” with me! Usually that really means that they weave in and out of my feet or lay down underneath me, but that’s ok – I like the company! 🙂
My cats love to “do yoga” with me! Usually that really means that they weave in and out of my feet or lay down underneath me, but that’s ok – I like the company! 🙂
This is such a fun idea! Now I wish I could have a cat so I could do it! My kids would be obsessed with this too!
This is such a fun idea! Now I wish I could have a cat so I could do it! My kids would be obsessed with this too!