As a part of its summer learning challenge the Tecumseh Public Library offered a yoga with alpacas class on Tuesday, July 19. Certified yoga instructor Kim Hefty led a yoga class with alpaca interaction in the city hall auditorium. Hefty began teaching yoga with alpacas at Magnolia Blossom Ranch in October of 2020. “During a crazy time for our country, we were able to meet at a safe distance and do yoga with animal interaction,” Hefty said.
Magnolia Blossom Ranch brought two alpacas to the library to interact with participants during the class. Stormy and Gigi roamed the room while Hefty instructed the yoga flow. Each participant had
Each participant had a bag of carrots to feed the alpacas throughout the class. Participants incorporated feeding the alpacas into different yoga poses. Stormy and Gigi were eager to eat carrots and came right up to people holding one. Some people even put carrots in their mouths and received an alpaca kiss!
Animal yoga is a unique fitness experience that improves flexibility, nurtures mindfulness and boosts mental health, according to fitness instructor Shay Vasudeva.
One of the first alpaca farms was founded in Oregon in 1984. Since then, many alpaca farms have sprung up across the country and have incorporated alpaca yoga into their farm activities the past few years.
The biggest benefit of alpaca yoga Hefty mentioned is the peace it brings to participants. “I can physically notice a difference in the body language of my students from the beginning of the class to the end,” Hefty said. “The peace and calmness that fills the room by the end of the class is evident in the animals as well as the students.”
“It is the biggest honor to be a part of this program!” Hefty said. I love that we are reaching young teens and adults alike that are experiencing yoga for the first time and for the more experienced ones, in a new way.”
The Tecumseh Library offered the yoga class as a part of their summer learning challenge. The library offers activities for children, teens and adults. The program is designed to help the community continue learning during the summer.
“Our mission is to inspire innovation, engagement, and learning in our communities, so we want you to leave the library feeling connected, inspired and having gained useful information,” said Tecumseh library manager Beth Lyle.
For more information on the summer learning challenge or to learn about upcoming activities, visit the Tecumseh public library website at pioneerlibrarysystem.org/tecumseh.
