This yoga class is set to leave you feline fine.
It’s like any other regular yoga class, but with the added bonus of curious kittens wandering in and out of the session. Plus, money raised from the event supports the Delta Community Animal Shelter.
Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness is hosting the Cat Yoga session on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness is hosting another adorable Cat Yoga session on Sunday, Aug. 11. The North Delta Studio’s playful and impactful one hour Hatha yoga class is open to anyone – no yoga experience necessary for a minimum $15 donation.
Jenine Lehfeldt, owner of Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness, says she is pleased to offer the relaxing cat yoga class, led by instructor Laura Chenier, to help raise awareness. This will be the animal lover’s fifth event for DCAS, having raised more that $1,850 so far.
“I’ve been called a ‘crazy cat lady’ – I used to have three cats I loved dearly – so I’m thrilled to help,” Lehfeldt says.
"Yoga and cats are both great for mental health - especially anxiety - so we’re putting the two together."
She says having kittens and cats wander through the class always initiates pawsitive vibes.
“I’ll sometimes pick them up and deliver them around the room, too,” Lehfeldt says.
“There’s lots of giggling, so the mood is really great.”
Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness is hosting the Cat Yoga session on Sunday, Aug. 11. Photo Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness
The class is also a chance to meet some of the DCAS cats that are up for adoption. The shelter currently has more than 20 cats looking for furrever homes, not including the 36 in foster care.
Ryan Voutilainen, animal shelter manager at DCAS, says socializing kittens at events like cat yoga better prepares them for adoption. He says these events also help the public connect with the shelter and can potentially spark someone’s interest in volunteering, fostering, or even adopting.
Ashley Spires, a kitten foster carer for DCAS and a lover of cat yoga, encouraged other feline fans to go along.
“My experience with kitten yoga has been very satisfying; watching my fosters run around and interact with people in the room and seeing the reactions is just so beautiful," she explains.
"I’ve been practicing yoga for over 20 years, so I’m used to the environment and I think cats and yoga pair perfectly for a calm, happy brain.”
Over the last four years, Spires has fostered 46 kittens at her family home in Ladner, and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
“It’s unbelievably satisfying; it fills my heart with joy to know I can help kittens when they’re most vulnerable, and then the shelter can find perfect homes and families for them based on their personalities and needs,” she says.
Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness is hosting the Cat Yoga session on Sunday, Aug. 11.
Money raised from the event will go towards the shelter’s Tollie Fund, which supports extraordinary veterinary bills for all animals in their care.
If you can’t attend the class but still want to donate, the yoga studio is also accepting cash or in-kind donations of canned wet pet food, scratch pads, and food/puzzle toys on behalf of the shelter.
EVENT DETAILS
When: Sunday, Aug. 11
Where: Sweet Serenity Yoga and Wellness – North Delta Studio
Time: Noon until 1:15 p.m.
Entry: For a minimum $15 donation, with all proceeds benefiting the Delta Community Animal Shelter.
