The following article was submitted by yoga instructor Kate Casey.
Hello again, friends—it’s Kate, your friendly neighborhood yogini, here to fill you in on something you won’t want to miss!
This month I’m partnering with Manitowoc Public Library and the Lakeshore Humane Society to bring you my favorite class of the whole year . . . Cats on Mats!! This class is so magical, so wonderful, I even named my yoga business after it. It is by far my most popular community offering, so keep reading to find out all the details!
As you know, I regularly partner with MPL to bring free yoga classes to the community. Just last month, we had our final outdoor Yoga in the Park class and now as the temperatures drop, we’re turning our attention to indoor offerings that will keep us warm and cozy while we stretch.
If you haven’t had the chance to attend one of our Cats on Mats classes yet, it’s such a treat you’ll definitely want to clear your schedule in order to attend. This class series started in 2018 as a small monthly fundraiser hosted at the Lakeshore Humane Society, but with the last two years being what they were, we haven’t been able to offer it in quite some time . . . until now!
On Thursday, October 21, at 6 PM, LHS will load up some of their most adorable, adoptable cats (and maybe even some kittens) and we will all gather in the Balkansky Community Room at Manitowoc Public Library. After we roll out our mats and settle in with some gentle, quiet breathing, we’ll set the critters loose and for the next hour enjoy a soothing yoga practice and some furry kitty companionship.
I like to tell people 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, and nibbled on by some of LHS’s little ones. Life doesn’t happen in a vacuum and neither should your yoga!
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, otherwise a beach towel or blanket will be just fine. The only requirements to attend are as follows: be 18-years old or older, register ahead of time, and must love cats! To secure your spot, head to the “Events” page on MPL’s webpage (www.manitowoclibrary.org).
As with all my community classes at Manitowoc Public Library, there is no cost to attend, but if you are so moved, I encourage students to bring donations—whether monetary or otherwise—for the Lakeshore Humane Society. It’s a yoga class that feels good and does good. I hope to see you there!