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You’ve likely seen an commercial or two (hundred!) for goat yoga. Possibly even cat yoga. But chicken yoga? (Even the phrasing just looks…improper.)
Full disclaimer: As someone with a big and irrational fear of chickens, I could also be barely prejudiced in my desire to NOT attend a chicken yoga class. Nevertheless, I’ll try to stay impartial and never let my (very) particular feelings on the animal influence my outlook on this latest type of, erm, yoga.
At Hotel Haya in Ybor City, Florida, an area yoga studio, Yoga Loft Tampa, hosts a “chicken yoga” class on the last Sunday of the month. And, yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking that: chickens wandering across the room whilst you practice.
“I haven’t actually seen this done anywhere else,” said Chris Wilkinson, the teacher, in an interview with MOR-TV Tampa. “I don’t think we’re the primary, but it surely’s definitely something that’s more up and coming.”
Editor’s note: Each Hotel Haya and Yoga Loft Tampa are open and in operation following Hurricane Ian.
The aim of the category is to boost funds for wounded chickens who’re treated at an area center, Ybor Misfits Microsanctuary. While I’m not against helping heal hurt birds, the chicken yoga class will not be the most effective fundraising mechanism. Beyond the cultural appropriation of a practice that wasn’t intended to incorporate these birds, the logistics of this particular class are a bit…confusing. Typically, goat yoga classes happen outdoors, leaving the animals with ample opportunity to, erm, do their business. But on this case, the chickens parade across the indoor studio, necessitating the wearing of what look like diapers (yes, diapers) on greater than a number of of the birds. I feel I’ll pass on that.