Downward dog with goats? Goat yoga comes to Windsor-Essex

At an animal sanctuaryin Comber,people are rolling out their yoga mats next to some peculiar participants.

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Goats and lambs wander around while yogis attempt to make a pose, asturkeys, chickens, and a pony watch from the sidelines.

"It's not like a regular yoga class where you walk into a studio," said AmandaScully,program director at Charlotte's Freedom Farm. "You walk into a home that belongs to farm animals. So once you walk in they're welcoming you into theirhome and they do some quirky things like chew on your clothes.

Scullyorganized the first class in August after seeing goat-yoga popularity on the news. It was a big success, so she planned two more sessions in the coming weeks while the weather is agreeable forthe outdoor event.

"We do have a lot of people that come out that really aren't there for the yoga, they're there for the experience of the animals," she said.

Scullyjoined Charlotte's Freedom Farm in the spring, after meeting the owner Lauren Edwards. Bothwomen are committed to animal rescue and well-being. Scully said her hope is to educate people about the farm animals, showing "what a farm that's not a product-farm could be like."

The sanctuary farm began after Edwards took in an orphaned lamb named Charlotte, and nursed her back to health.

Now, Charlottealong with another lamb and four goats, frolic and play along as visitors stretch.

"Goats are kind of like dogs where sometimes they just want to give you lots of love and and cuddle you and check outwhat you're doing," said Scully.