Finding inner peace might come easier than you think when local yoga classes begin complete with a barrel of laughs and a side of fainting goats.

Shelly Longfellow, a resident of Dingle in Bear Lake County, is excited to bring goat yoga to the Bear Lake Valley, with classes set to begin in May.

Shelly and her husband Russ were attracted to the Bear Lake area for its beautiful open spaces and the serenity that dwells in the majestic mountain protected valley.

When the property next door went up for sale, they jumped at the opportunity to increase their land ownership to four acres.

Shelly knew they had the land for livestock and started pressing the idea of adding some animals to their newly expanded homestead.

Russ didn’t want the responsibility that comes with most farm animals so the idea of goats became the topic of discussion as Shelly jokingly lobbied for them, citing their adventurous spirit and lawn-mowing abilities.

And with that three fainting goats were purchased and Shelly began introducing the idea of goat yoga to her very reluctant husband.

Russ wasn’t keen on the idea and not entirely sure what the purpose was to combine goats and yoga.

However, like most wives who have their goals set on a good idea, Shelly eventually won the battle and their goat herd began to grow.

Following a successful kid season, the Longfellows now have a herd of 23 goats.

And Shelly’s idea to combine her experiences with how yoga has improved her own health challenges with animal therapy is well on its way to becoming a reality in the form of the Bear Lake Valley’s first goat yoga classes.

Work is underway preparing outdoor and indoor spaces at the Longfellow homestead to offer classes comfortably.

Shelly has done her homework and set out to get yoga certified to offer the best experience possible for her community.

It’s been a year in the making and the Longfellows are close to opening The Grounded Goat.

The goat yoga trend emerged around 2015 as yoga instructors began successfully introducing goats into yoga practices. The idea went viral and soared across the United States and has even popped in other countries.

As the 13th century renowned surgeon Henri de Mondeville once coined the phrase “laughter is the best medicine,” goat yoga proves this by blending the benefits of uniting the mind, body and spirit with allowing animal therapy to bring joy and laughter to decompress from the stresses of life.

Shelly said, “If you are a strict yoga lover, maybe it’s not for you as it’s difficult to get into the serious mindset and look inward as you do in traditional yoga. However, I know to some degree animal therapy combined with breathing and stretching movement is pretty powerful. You simply can’t be in a bad mood with these little guys jumping around and being silly. Animal therapy is a big deal for improving health. You may get a little more goat than yoga but I guarantee you will walk away feeling calmer and grounded.”

As Idaho weather is beyond unpredictable, indoor classes are an option but the goal is to provide outdoor classes as often as weather permits.

The practice of exercising outdoors has been scientifically proven to provide a number of benefits for physical, mental and emotional health.

Sunlight exposure is vital to increase vitamin D production naturally which is essential for bone health. Studies have stressed the importance of spending time in outdoor environments to reduce stress and anxiety naturally and to improve your mood.

Shelly discusses how this type of exercise is a great alternative for those who find the traditional gym atmosphere stressful and intimidating.

She said, “Goats just lighten the mood.”

So regardless of whether you’re a novice or advanced yogi, The Grounded Goat will offer a friendly environment for all to enjoy.

Visit www.thegroundedgoat.com to register for goat yoga classes today. Also watch for details coming soon for a number of goat milk products to be made available at the Longfellows’ goat ranch.