HEALTH + FITNESS
Alpaca Yoga
Encourages Mindfulness and Inspires Delight
By Tessa Permar
The sun gleams and you’re sitting, legs outstretched on a yoga mat, maybe for the first time. You smell the sweet grass that bent under your palms during the first stretches. You take a deep breath and hear the sound of munching. This is the serene and wonderful world of Alpaca Yoga.
Founder of Island Alpaca Barbara Ronchetti was one of the first to combine (and enhance) the practice of yoga with the presence of alpacas. “It brings people to the alpacas to understand how truly gentle they are,” she remarks. Since 2004 Barbara and her team have developed creative ways to share the remarkable qualities of alpacas and their wool products with the Island. In addition to breeding alpacas, they provide education, shearing events, walking tours, alpaca visits, and an iconic gift shop. They also host special events like weddings, birthdays, fundraisers, and more.
Five years ago, Ronchetti reached out to local teacher YogiJay who was expanding his collaborative method of teaching yoga in schools, libraries, the MV Museum, and other venues through his organization Wholesome MV. YogiJay’s class takes participants through a series of poses offering modifications and options for everyone. “My hope is always to help people feel connected and respectful of the animals, to gain flexibility and mobility, and then get to a place where we can step behind our stories and get a reset. So, when we walk back into life, we are a little more mindful,” he shares. YogiJay incorporates little moments of connection and education about alpacas throughout the class. At the end, participants can take photos with alpacas while enjoying fresh fruit and water.
Many previously apprehensive people try yoga for the first time alongside alpacas. They “leave class saying, I love that, and now I feel excited about trying some more yoga,” says YogiJay. He and the team at Island Alpaca are passionate about providing spaces where people can find greater wellbeing, presence, and connection be it through yoga poses, meditation, or time spent with animals. YogiJay adds, “It’s my hope to create experiences where people are walking away not just saying, wow that was really fun, but also saying, wow I feel better.”
Visit AlpacaYoga.com to learn more.