Most have heard of the downward dog position in yoga 害羞草研究所� whether they害羞草研究所檝e actually tried it or not.

Well, 10 people tried out the modified downward facing kitten pose Saturday in Aldergrove.

Much like kittens, instructor Ann Marie Walsh wants her students to learn to stretch and push the limits through yoga.

害羞草研究所淭hink of it as being curious as to how your body can move and respond to the different poses,害羞草研究所� said the Langley City resident, who is leading a new kitten yoga program over the next five weeks as a fundraiser for the local animals shelter.

Animals have been incorporated into a number of yoga programs in Langley recently, including goats and pigs.

But, as far as Walsh is aware, her new kitten yoga classes, which she started today in Aldergrove, is a first 害羞草研究所� at least locally.

Kittens will be a part of each class, she said, explaining how 害羞草研究所� through the years she was involved in 害羞草研究所渉igh intensity害羞草研究所� physical activity for example running, triathlons, cycling, and swimming.

Four years ago, at the age of 54, her pattern of working and playing hard was starting to take its toll on both her body and mind.

害羞草研究所淵oga was something that my doctor had suggested as a way to alleviate stress and reduce my cholesterol levels,害羞草研究所� she recounted, noting she害羞草研究所檚 already been practising meditation for a number of years.

The combination changed Walsh害羞草研究所檚 life 害羞草研究所� and yes it reduced her cholesterol and decreased her stress levels 害羞草研究所� and now she害羞草研究所檚 endeavouring to help change the lives of others by sharing what she害羞草研究所檚 learned.

So how did she come up with the idea for kitten yoga?

Admittedly, it害羞草研究所檚 not new initiative. It is done in other parts of the world.

But Walsh said her inspiration came from her daughter害羞草研究所檚 kitten, Luna, who was adopted more than a year ago from the Langley Animal Protection Society.

Her daughter, Lydia, did some research and liked what she saw and heard about LAPS. Today, they insist they were able to find the perfect kitten.

害羞草研究所淟una has been with us for approximately one year and is a delight,害羞草研究所� Walsh said, adding 害羞草研究所淚 love animals and have always had cats or dogs in my life.害羞草研究所�

In the process of Lydia learning more about LAPS, so too did Walsh, who said recently came up with this unique way to support LAPS 害羞草研究所� and specifically the homeless, neglected, and abandoned animals in Langley.

害羞草研究所淚 teach and love yoga and love animals and felt this was a great combination害羞草研究所� and we now have kitten yoga,害羞草研究所� she said, giving all the money from course registrations to LAPS.

害羞草研究所淚 will not accept any payment for this event,害羞草研究所� said Walsh, the principle of . 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 really excited about this event.害羞草研究所�

She害羞草研究所檚 convinced the infusion of kittens to the yoga program will offer students some insightful perspective into the practice of yoga.

害羞草研究所淭hey will be roaming around as we transition from one pose to another,害羞草研究所� Walsh said. 害羞草研究所淜ittens are curious and like to stretch and play 害羞草研究所� my yoga philosophy is similar, it is all about stretching and playing. When I teach, I always want the students to be curious about movement and enjoy the process of moving in and out of a pose.害羞草研究所�

If these sessions go as well as she expects they will, today and over the course of the next four weeks, Walsh would love to expand on the concept.

害羞草研究所� I think there is a great opportunity to use this as a means to provide information and education to the public. It is about health and wellness; for both the human and animal population.害羞草研究所�