Goat Yoga Chicago - South Barrington, Illinois

Vicki M

3 months ago

What a fun and unique experience! I brought my friend here for her birthday and we had a blast! The goats roam around freely, although there's someone sprinkling sunflower seeds to ensure everyone gets to experience them. They will hop up onto your back when you're facing down. They are gentle, but you will feel their hooves on your back.

Mark McQueen

5 months ago

Although the Beard had long heard of this odd exercise/meditative regiment, up until now I had never experienced it, but after learning it was only about fifteen miles down the road (at the Arboretum of South Barrington), I managed to wrangle reservations, a couple yoga mats, (Thank you Michelle Lee), and my companion and fellow adventurer Miss Kelly and off we went on a lovely Saturday morning to see what this was all about. After meeting our instructor, we were shown the locker room area to store our stuff. We were encouraged to keep our phones available, however, since getting pictures was one of the points to doing this activity at all. Once we were ready, we were shown into the yoga studio and told to pick a floor spot and unroll our mats. Once we were situated, the “guests of honor” were released from their van and brought in. About a half dozen goats entered the room and immediately began checking the place (and all of us) out. The goats were given fifteen minutes to “socialize” with the participants. In most cases this meant hugs, petting and cuddles. None of the goats were aggressive, butted, or bit at anyone. A few however, did crap wherever they felt like. To “Goat Yoga's” credit, their on-hand staff were immediately at work cleaning it up and washing and disinfecting any mats that were indoctrinated by the goats. While many in the class were of age, body type and flexibility to successfully do the yoga, (including to my surprise Miss Kelly, who even approaching her ## birthday was still able to do 85% of the instructors’ poses which was Impressive really.), the Beard as one might suspect, had the flexibility of a standard 2X4. Although I did participate in the simpler poses and moves, for the most part I just fed the goats. The biggest achievement is when one of the goats decides to jump on your back. This doesn’t occur that often, but every once in a while (in their pursuit of a few more treats) they will choose to do this, and one woman (pictured) did become the first of our group to get a “rider” during the session. Miss Kelly, being inventive, decided that if she placed a few treats on the Beards back, (during on of the kneeling poses I actually did), she might attract a guest. Of course, that “guest” was George, the largest of the herd at about 70 pounds. My realization of this fact was two hooves on my back (for a split second) before George just hopped his entire body on top of me. (Pictured) Fortunately, the Beard is a “robust” sort of guy and had the sturdiness NOT to collapse in a heap. It is doubtful the tiny Miss Kelly could have supported George, so this worked out well. Having my knees and hands as weight bearing anchor points, I was able to hold George for a few moments until he determined there were other people who might still have some more treats hidden and jumped back off me. At 50 minutes, the class ended, and we rolled our mats back up. Some of the people who hadn’t gotten close attention from the goats posed for pictures. (With the staff motivating the goats into photogenic positions.) In all it was a fun experience For those interested in the particulars, a one-hour class/session is 39 dollars, and they have two different locations where it happens. You can choose the South Barrington studios, or the actual farm in Elgin. If you do the farm, for ten more dollars you can choose to take a hike with the goats. Finally, if goats are just too intimidating for you, this place also has "puppy yoga" classes you can sign up for. So, if you are a person who enjoys a little yoga, or if you just love interacting with animals, this "can" be a stress lessening type of Saturday for you and so I will recommend it. If animals and their natural habits and tendencies are NOT something for you then this probably isn’t either. The Beard did enjoy both the experience and even all seventy pounds of George for those few minutes. Goat Yoga is mostly recommended.

Anetra Rodgers

6 months ago

This was such a fun activity! We hung out with the goats and got a good workout at the same time. Super cute studio and I really dig the names of the goats! Someone super cool and creative came up with this concept! I'd love to go back... I just need a few willing participants.🤔 Lots of places to grab a bite nearby afterward. You will certainly feel like you earned it!😉