G.O.A.T. Positively Beautiful Blog by Deena McDaniel 5/21/22

 

Goat is traditionally mentioned as the Greatest Of All Time. Suddenly goat has a different meaning in our home.  Here in South Florida palm trees and beaches, now goats have suddenly impacted my life. Miami isn’t known for the trendy goat. Instead, we’re known for the “South Beach” mayhem. Ft. Lauderdale is not known for goats, but “Spring Breakers” have made news every year. My Ozark roots have been revealed this week.

 

 

 

Are you part of email groups you forgot you joined? I was. Instantly I was amazed, “Downward Goat” had an upcoming event. I’d heard of yoga with goats but never thought it would be a “thing” I could experience in beachy Florida. Oh yes, I booked my class! Goat yoga? “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”-Revelation 4:11  Goats are God’s bleating kids.

 


 

 

This novelty class captured my heart. Far west from our house, Southwest Ranches is just like stepping into the Ozarks with palm trees. We were the first to arrive. The field was filled with romping little ones with older mamas roaming close.  Yoga enthusiasts poured into the farm. My husband grabbed his lawn chair and a bottle of wine to settle in for the event. He’s, my photographer.

 

 

One after another mats were placed and the goats scampered about. I glanced over at my husband taking photos and saw his grin from ear to ear. Who would have thought that this was even a thing? We’d had goats back at our farm in Missouri but never thought of exercising with these critters. And here I was with over 30 other folks and 20 goats basking in the greatness of God’s creation. Baaaaaaa! ( I laughed at the joy we were encountering!)   One lady planted herself on a mat with 5 baby goats. Not much yoga was had by her, but lots of love by the expression on her face.

 

 

 

 

So what’s the point? Ahhhhh. You take your mind off the cares of the day and focus on the creatures of the moment. The sweetness of these curious critters captures your heart. Standing on my mat I was quickly greeted by a large mama goat squeezing between my legs. She promptly made her way to the end of my mat to “chew her cud” for the extent of the class. All my downdog moves quickly became the signature Downward Goat.

 

 


Not only is the goat yoga novelty here in South Florida, but it’s an opportunity to disconnect from your everyday woes. When you’re thinking about the goats you’re not thinking about the struggles of life. “God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.”- Job 37:5 He uses simple baby goats to enrich lives. Our mood changes as we embrace God’s creation. Stretching, releasing, and breathing deeply, I felt the sunshine and enjoyed the cool breeze. I suddenly got it. On our farm in the Ozarks, we’d enjoyed our critters and didn’t realize the potential of cuteness overload! Animal therapy isn’t just a quick IG trend, rather it’s been proven to lower blood pressure and even physical pain in children with autism. God’s creatures. God’s creation. God’s blessings abound.

 

 

These silly goats have the innate ability to create an instant bond with each human they encounter. Some animals need time to get to know you before they trust you and develop interactions. Goats get comfortable with strangers immediately and that makes them natural goofballs to crack us up! Baby goats in particular never hesitate to gobble up your shoes, yoga mat or as I saw in front of me a yummy iPhone treat. I did laugh.

 

 

 

 


My desire for what I bring to a class is always the same and perhaps goaty? I’m ready to make a friend. I’ll enjoy each and everyone’s company and as far as relaxing the class through yoga it’s up to how hard you want to work.

 

 

 

 

Adventures continue as I was recently hired to teach “goat yoga!” Events begin in June and will run regularly throughout the year. When we moved here in 2005, I missed our critters and it’s taken this long to reconnect to my Missouri roots.  God has answered so many prayers as I’ve cried out to him living an empty nester life. “Lord where do you want to use me?”  One adventure after another suddenly, goat-ing in the yoga flow with a nanny granny groove.

 

 

 

 

All this to say be careful as you ask God to use you. He is a God with a sense of humor. G.od O.ften A.lters T.asks.  It just goat real, when home is where the herd is.  I’m inviting all the cool kids, that’s you! No ridged structure. And never a baaaaaad day. Goat ahead and laugh. I am.

 

For event schedule: www.downwardgoat.com or google goat yoga near me. 

 

 

 

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