Most have heard of the downward dog position in yoga B次元官网网址� whether theyB次元官网网址檝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.

B次元官网网址淭hink of it as being curious as to how your body can move and respond to the different poses,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址� at least locally.

Kittens will be a part of each class, she said, explaining how B次元官网网址� through the years she was involved in B次元官网网址渉igh intensityB次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淵oga was something that my doctor had suggested as a way to alleviate stress and reduce my cholesterol levels,B次元官网网址� she recounted, noting sheB次元官网网址檚 already been practising meditation for a number of years.

The combination changed WalshB次元官网网址檚 life B次元官网网址� and yes it reduced her cholesterol and decreased her stress levels B次元官网网址� and now sheB次元官网网址檚 endeavouring to help change the lives of others by sharing what sheB次元官网网址檚 learned.

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

Admittedly, itB次元官网网址檚 not new initiative. It is done in other parts of the world.

But Walsh said her inspiration came from her daughterB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淟una has been with us for approximately one year and is a delight,B次元官网网址� Walsh said, adding B次元官网网址淚 love animals and have always had cats or dogs in my life.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址� and specifically the homeless, neglected, and abandoned animals in Langley.

B次元官网网址淚 teach and love yoga and love animals and felt this was a great combinationB次元官网网址� and we now have kitten yoga,B次元官网网址� she said, giving all the money from course registrations to LAPS.

B次元官网网址淚 will not accept any payment for this event,B次元官网网址� said Walsh, the principle of . B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really excited about this event.B次元官网网址�

SheB次元官网网址檚 convinced the infusion of kittens to the yoga program will offer students some insightful perspective into the practice of yoga.

B次元官网网址淭hey will be roaming around as we transition from one pose to another,B次元官网网址� Walsh said. B次元官网网址淜ittens are curious and like to stretch and play B次元官网网址� 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.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址� 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.B次元官网网址�