Kids these days: Goat yoga gets a leg up in Anchorage

On a recent warm Thursday evening, a few dozen people unrolled their yoga mats on the lawn outside the Inlet Tower Hotel in downtown Anchorage. Some stretched, preparing for a 45-minute yoga session. It was all fairly unremarkable — except for the goats.

As yoga instructor Ailis Vann began leading the group in a breathing exercise, Cottonwood Creek Farm owner Suzy Crosby opened a gate, releasing about 10 goat kids into the crowd.

The energetic young goats, ranging in age from 6 days to 3 weeks, ran through the rows of yoga mats, jumping on people and nibbling on clothes, hair and mats. Nearly everyone had a smile on their face.

Jennifer Brown, a singer who would usually be performing in the hotel bar on Thursday night, had the evening off and came out to the lawn with her daughter, Emily Brown. “It’s the best $20 I’ve ever spent,” said Emily.

Angelica Nunez, in the front row with some friends, seemed to be popular with the goats, who spent much of the session climbing on top of her and nibbling her hair. “I loved it,” Nunez said. “I want to do it again.”

Vann structured the class to favor yoga poses that would encourage the goats to join in.

Most of the people who came to the session were familiar with yoga but had never tried goat yoga before. For Colleen Bridges, it was her second time doing yoga in the company of goat kids. She’s been encouraging her friends to try it.

“It’s less of a workout and just more fun,” Bridges said. “It’s more relaxing.”

“I think people love experiences,” said Vann, the yoga instructor, “and this is an experience that you don’t get in a regular yoga class.”

The hotel has added six more Thursday sessions this month: 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on June 13, 20 and 27. Tickets will be available Saturday on Brown Paper Tickets.