Animal Classes
Pilates Style|March - April 2020
Dr. Doolittle would love these Pilates offerings.
Animal Classes

PILATES WITH PYGMY GOATS IN SCOTLAND

Inspired by goat yoga videos she saw on the internet (and having tried a class in San Francisco), Jo Munro, owner of The Pilates Attic in Edinburgh, which is also the BASI host studio for Scotland, began searching for some method-friendly goats near her. “Eventually someone introduced me to Holly [PatrickThomson] at Bellcraig Farm,” Munro recounts. “She was as excited as I was about the idea. Her goats, Mabel, Hazel, Fergus and Angus, are gorgeous. When we introduced them to the concept of Pilates, they took to it instantly. They are very people-friendly and love the interaction and attention they receive.”

Classes are held in an old stone cottage on the farm, which is in the countryside about 45 minutes outside of Edinburgh. “We begin with standing exercises and the goats wander around checking everyone out,” Munro says. “We then move on to sitting exercises during which people can stroke and feed them. The real fun starts when we begin the exercises on all fours: As soon as the goats see someone in a Plank or kneeling, they will jump on their back! Goats love to climb and love to be the tallest goat in the room. And when we have a room full of people, they will jump from person to person.”

The goats weight around 33 pounds, “so it can feel like a good deep-tissue hoof massage when they stand on top of you,” she notes. “Plus all the laughing helps with core engagement!” For more information, go to pilatesattic.co.uk.

This story is from the March - April 2020 edition of Pilates Style.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March - April 2020 edition of Pilates Style.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PILATES STYLEView All
Pilates Style

Finding New Momentum

Overcoming obstacles caused by the pandemic, the virtual version of this popular festival still achieved its goals.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2020
Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey
Pilates Style

Carola Trier's Extraordinary Journey

In his authoritative biography of the first woman to open a studio, Reiner Grootenhuis delved into her personal papers to tell the harrowing story of her time in a prison camp during World War II.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2020
Racism in the Pilates Industry
Pilates Style

Racism in the Pilates Industry

Incidents of police brutality and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests have shed a bright light on systemic racism in the U.S., including in the Pilates industry. Here, Black instructors share their experiences.

time-read
10 mins  |
September - October 2020
For Self-defense
Pilates Style

For Self-defense

Moves of the Month

time-read
8 mins  |
September - October 2020
Comfort Food Made Healthy
Pilates Style

Comfort Food Made Healthy

This fall, cozy up to tantalizing comfort food that’s also healthy. A new cookbook from Kristin Cavallari shows you how.

time-read
9 mins  |
September - October 2020
Pilates Postcard
Pilates Style

Pilates Postcard

A Pilates teacher shares how the method is making waves abroad.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2020
The Ultimate Gift
Pilates Style

The Ultimate Gift

One year ago, Kahley Schiller’s life was completely upended by an extreme health crisis. But thanks to her 20-year Pilates practice, the 40-year-old was able to recover quickly.

time-read
9 mins  |
September - October 2020
Revelations
Pilates Style

Revelations

For Sarita Allen, a star of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and a protégée of Kathleen Stanford Grant, Pilates was key to her decades-long career.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2020
Pilates Style

Meaning WITHIN THE Movement

The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine help you go deeper into your practice, promising plenty of play along the way.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2020
PILATES IN THE HOOD
Pilates Style

PILATES IN THE HOOD

Though she’s trained many top stars, Kim Carruthers says she’s most proud of her work as the founder and director of a nonprofit bringing the method to underserved communities.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2020