A FITNESS class has become the first in Scotland to practice pilates – with goats.
The bizarre exercise, which involves two baby goats climbing on top of participants, has taken off at Bellcraig Farm, Glenrothes, Fife.
Organiser Jo Munro said one-year-old kids Hazel and Mabel love to interact with humans at the fitness class.
The animals help release “feelgood” hormones such as serotonin and make pilate-goers relax more as they stretch on their mats in a barn.
Instructor Jo, 39, was inspired to launch the first classes in Scotland after taking part in goat yoga classes while on holiday in the US. The classes of up to six participants start by collecting the kids from the field before standing on mats in a stone built cottage.
The group, which is the first in the UK to use African pygmy goats, warms up, while their four-legged friends inquisitively sniff around.
Jo, from Edinburgh, said: “I went to California last year and it’s massive there so I went and tried it and thought I have to bring this back to Scotland.
“It’s not sore but the goats are reasonably heavy so it does make it more challenging.
“The kids are quite agile and nimble so it can be like a massage with their hooves, but you wouldn’t want it on your bare skin. Goat pilates is something everyone has seen on YouTube and I think you either love it or hate it. It is complete hilarity and it makes everyone really happy and they leave on a high.”
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