EAST GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) - Could you downward dog on a mat full of cats?
Melissa Tungl, owner of Seva Yoga in East Grand Rapids, is going to find out.
MLive (https://bit.ly/2jjweUL ) reports that Tungl is going to lead 32 participants through the first “Cats on Mats” event at her studio in April as a benefit for the Humane Society of West Michigan.
The Humane Society will be bringing adoptable kittens during the spring “kitten season” to a special yoga session at the studio.
The Humane Society of West Michigan adopted out 2,107 cats and kittens in 2016. Kittens are available at the highest numbers from April to September - what is known as “kitten season.” The Humane Society often works with foster volunteers during that time to keep cats and their litters of kittens in a home environment until the kittens are 8 weeks old.
The cats are expected to do what cats do best: observe in their aloof feline way - and take over the room as they see fit, likely right in the middle of your yoga mat.
“Animals are always all over your mat when you practice and it’s such a cool, lighthearted exchange of energy with animals,” Tungl said.
Spots in the 6 p.m. April 21 class filled up within a week this January, Tungl said.
The idea came from a class at Blandford Nature Center, where Tungl said she was inspired by the idea of goat yoga.
Yes, goat yoga.
There’s a 1,200-person waiting list at a yoga studio in Albany, Oregon, that offers classes with goats.
Cat yoga is also a growing trend. Tiny Lions, a cat cafe, opened in Ann Arbor in mid-2016 as a way for the Humane Society of Huron Valley to connect cats with potential adopters. The cat cafe hosted a sold-out yoga event that led to at least one adoption.
Happy Cat Cafe in Grand Rapids is planning on a soft opening in February at 447 S. Division Ave.
“I try to do unique yoga classes that really are inviting for people who maybe have not done it before,” Tungl said. “Taking yoga and really doing a unique spin makes it more accessible.”
All proceeds from the event - a $20 registration fee for non-members - will go to the Humane Society.
“Part of yoga philosophy is really that all beings are equal, all beings are valid and all beings should be treated with respect,” Tungl said.
Tungl has been running Seva Yoga at 2237 Wealthy St. SE in East Grand Rapids for the past four years.
For those who can’t attend “Cats on Mats” but want to help, donations can be made online to the Humane Society of West Michigan at www.hswestmi.org.
Items like kitten pate, wet and dry cat food, fleece blankets and cats toys can be donated at the Humane Society of West Michigan at 3077 Wilson Drive NW - or online through an Amazon wish list.
Or, become a kitten foster family. The Humane Society provides food, bedding and all other items needed to care for the kittens. Email Tania at tmelton@hswestmi.org for more information.
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Information from: The Grand Rapids Press:MLive.com, https://www.mlive.com
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