Captain Obvious enjoys goat yoga, but you can now enjoy yoga with raptors courtesy of the folks at the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL).
Yoga with raptors, led by gentle hatha yoga instructor Sylvia Smallman, is an opportunity to be in the great outdoors under the watchful eyes of some of OWL鈥檚 curious residents.
oga with raptors, led by gentle hatha yoga instructor Sylvia Smallman, is an opportunity to be in the great outdoors under the watchful eyes of some of OWL鈥檚 curious residents. Photograph By SUBMITTED
鈥淚鈥檝e been a volunteer at OWL for about five years,鈥� said Smallman. 鈥淚 teach in Vancouver. I had seen several yoga with bunnies as a fundraiser and thought it was quite funny so I had the idea of doing raptor yoga as a fundraiser. Not with the raptors flying around between the participants, but we do this outside in the picnic area and the education birds are all around there. I proposed the idea to OWL and they thought it was a great idea.鈥�
After a successful session was held last summer, OWL planned two this year. The first took place last month and the final one is set for this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
鈥淧eople love it. I think about 15 people were at the session in July,鈥� said Smallman. 鈥淓veryone is welcome. You don鈥檛 have to be experienced. I have a couple of chairs if people don鈥檛 want to get on mats. It鈥檚 very simple, basic yoga and then I weave basic information about raptors as we do the yoga. I鈥檓 on the education team at OWL, so there is a fun educational component to this as well.鈥�
OWL鈥檚 Martina Versteeg said the program is starting to gain momentum.
鈥淚 thought it was a unique idea. Obviously we鈥檝e heard of cat yoga, bunny yoga and goat yoga, so I guess it was about time we got involved in the yoga trend,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have a beautiful picnic area for the outdoor session, which is even more appealing for those who want to come and try it out. And it鈥檚 a fundraiser as well. People are really enjoying the experience.鈥�
Cost for the session is $20 per person with all proceeds going to OWL for the care of injured or orphaned raptors. Call 604-946-3171 to reserve your spot.
OWL is located at 3800-72nd St. in East Ladner (Delta).
