I rather ungracefully position my lower body into a low lunge – awkwardly, because I need to be mindful where I land my foot. My new furry lioness friend Rosie nonchalantly lounges on the top part of my yoga mat, doing her own version of therapeutic mind-body work. Another new feline pal, Angel, has decided to plant herself on my jacket on the floor next to me. Then up struts handsome gray-and-white Smokey, stepping across my mat, completely ignoring the fact that I’m trying to get some exercise here.
Cats may be the featured attraction at Yoga With Cats, which runs on Sunday mornings at Sip & Purr Cat Café, but these creatures will mostly – adorably – get in the way while you’re doing asanas. Dig, if you will, a picture of humans and their strange cushiony rugs taking over the floor of the café’s cat lounge and trying to connect with their inner yogis (but not trying too hard).
Instructor Sherie encourages us to be as playful in our practice as the café’s charmingly spontaneous residents, all available for adoption. And these are easy stretches that we do, not sweaty strenuous contortions – the mood aptly suited to the irreverent space.
At the end of the one-hour session, we have a half-hour to hang with the cats, who alternate between lazy snoozing and sudden darting movement. What a joyful way to spend a Sunday morning – just don’t tell my cat child. He didn’t appreciate the foreign-cat smells I brought home. (Yoga is $21 per student, with proceeds supporting Sip & Purr’s fluffy tenants).
WHEN: Sundays, 10-11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Sip & Purr Cat Café, 2021 E. Ivanhoe Pl., sipandpurr.com