The following article was written by Kate Casey, the owner of Cats on Mats Yoga LLC.
Happy Summer! It’s hard to believe, but 2023 marks five years of teaching my beloved “Cats on Mats” yoga program. What started out as a small way for me to give back to Lakeshore Humane Society has grown to be one of my most-highly sought after classes. Our upcoming program at Manitowoc Public Library will be the highlight of my summer and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there!
LHS will load-up some of their most adorable, adoptable cats (and maybe even some kittens) on Wednesday, July 19, and we’ll all gather at 6 PM in the Balkansky Community Room. After we roll out our mats and settle in with some gentle, quiet breathing, we’ll set the adorable critters loose and for the next hour enjoy a soothing yoga practice with a side of some furry kitty companionship.
I like to tell people that this yoga practice is a unique and different way to “be present” in the moment. If you’re a regular yoga practitioner, maybe you find it easy to be centered, concentrated, and fully-present while on your mat in a studio environment. But, this practice shakes it up. It invites you to giggle and to find that same peace while being cuddled, jumped-on, and potentially nibbled a bit by some of LHS’s little ones. Life doesn’t happen in a vacuum and neither should your yoga!
Kate Casey
This class will be structured to suit both newbies and seasoned yogis alike, so please join us—especially if you have never done yoga before. If you already have a yoga mat or other favorite yoga props, feel free to bring them along. Otherwise, a beach towel or blanket will work just fine. The only requirements to attend “Cats on Mats” are the following: 1) be 18-years old or older, 2) register ahead of time, and 3) must love cats!
Speaking of registration, please note that you can secure your spot for “Cats on Mats” beginning at 5 PM on Friday, July 7 at https://www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/cats-mats-kate-casey-2. While that date may seem like it’s a ways away, don’t let signing-up fall off your radar. These classes fill up quickly, so I would recommend heading to that URL as close to 5 PM on July 7 as is possible for you!
As with all my community classes at Manitowoc Public Library, there is no cost to attend. However, if you are so moved, I encourage attendees to bring donations—whether monetary or otherwise—for Lakeshore Humane Society. There’s even a donation drive running at MPL from now until the end of July, so you can bring items into the Library when it’s convenient for you. “Cats on Mats” is a yoga class that feels good and does good.
Additionally, I will also be hosting a pair of teen yoga sessions on Fridays, June 30, and August 4. While there won’t be cats, this class is designed specifically with teenagers and their unique mobility in mind. Being a teenager is tough enough between the pressures of school, family, extracurriculars, and now the ever-looming presence of social media. Take an hour just for you to stretch and learn some calming breathing techniques that you can use whenever you need.
If you’re between the ages of 11 and 17, and intrigued by the possibility of giving yoga a try, registration is now open for the class on June 30. Simply head to https://www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/teen-yoga-2023 to save your spot. Registration for the August 4 class opens on Friday, July 21, at 5 PM. Head to https://www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/teen-yoga-august then to secure a spot for some August yoga!
Once again—all classes are free to attend and require no yoga experience. Come as you are! Please, simply register in advance for the class that you’d like to attend and bring your own yoga mat, beach towel, or blanket.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Library this summer!
