If you’ve ever tried to exercise at home with your cat, you’ve probably experienced the following scenario: you lay out your yoga mat, turn around for no less than three seconds to grab your water, and by the time you turn around, your beloved four-legged friend is sprawled out on the entire thing, peering up at you with an incredulous look.
So, why do cats like yoga mats?
Cats like yoga mats because it’s a little-known fact that cats adore the squishy, scented goodness of yoga mats. Your scent persists on the mat after you use them, and while we may not be able to recognize our own distinct scent, our four-legged companions can.
In this article, we will talk about the reasons why your cat likes yoga and is it good for them.
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Why Do Cats Sleep On Yoga Mats?
Cats tend to sleep on yoga mats because they like its soft and squishy texture.
Your cat will perch on your mat within a few seconds of rolling it out. Pets like the squishy, fragrant goodness of yoga mats, which is a little-known fact.
Your scent persists on them after you use them, and while we may not be able to recognize our own distinct scent, our four-legged companions can.
Additionally, cats enjoy the soft texture of the mats, which allows them to comfortably knead, claw, and paw at them.
The addition of a yoga mat to the practice of yoga has grown in popularity in recent years.
When working out on the floor, many people appreciate the ability of a yoga mat to create a thin, firm yet supportive cushion for their bodies and joints.
Our cats, particularly senior pets and those suffering from illnesses such as arthritis, a torn ligament, or even skin irritation, may simply find resting on a padded surface physiologically soothing.
A yoga mat also keeps one’s hands and feet from slipping on some types of flooring, such as wood or vinyl, which pets may find enticing.
If your cat is prone to slipping on your flooring, or even on the bed or blanket they sleep on, they may prefer the sticky hold of a yoga mat for its ability to remain there and create a sense of security.
The bond between a person and their beloved cat is difficult to express because they love us just as much as we love them, even our fragrance.
It’s no secret that the canine nose has some of the most powerful olfactory abilities in the animal kingdom, with up to 300 million scent receptors.
Cats use their noses to navigate the world and sniff out familiar odors as a measure of safety. Our perspiration and the odors that come with it, whether from our feet, hands, or other areas of our bodies, end up on our yoga mats.
Cats were placed in an MRI scanner and given two swabs to smell — a familiar human and a familiar cat — in one study at Emory University.
When the cat got a sniff of their people, the caudate nucleus, which anticipates good events, lit up, according to the researchers.
It may be like curling up in bed or another comfortable location with your favorite person in the world when your cat lays on your yoga mat.
Many domesticated animals, such as cats, pick up on facial cues and turn to their human counterparts for permission, assurance, and instruction.
Cats have been shown to correlate various facial expressions with pleasant or negative events, according to the BBC. So, if you work out on your yoga mat and feel comfortable and centered, chances are your face and body language are sending that mood outward, which could be why your cat is drawn to that location.
Are Cats Yogis?
Yes, cats are born yogis, they stretch their bodies to keep flexible and contort themselves into all sorts of shapes.
Perhaps you’ve seen it in the news recently: yoga with animals.
This new yoga craze including cats, dogs, goats, and even horses appears to offer a lot of advantages.
Some felines are born yogis. They are always in the present moment, have a peaceful spirit, and can effortlessly move into the most difficult yoga poses.
Cats have a flexible spine that runs the length of their body. The vertebrae are separated by fibrous segments that act as stress absorbers, just like in people.
Cats can extend and flex their backs in a number of various ways.
A cat has a long tail that he utilizes to keep himself balanced and communicate with other cats.
Cats have a tremendously flexible musculoskeletal system, including a flexible spine, which makes them exceedingly agile. In a fall, cats can turn their bodies and land on their feet.
Like a cat, you may learn what it’s like to live stress-free through yoga and other classes.
A cat has nearly no problems: a full head, a tense body, stress from deadlines, quarrels, or heartbreaks, to name a few. A cat is completely unaffected by anything. They lead a carefree feline life.
Do Cats Do Yoga?
Yes, cats do yoga.
Yoga with cats is a growing trend among pet owners, and it benefits both humans and their feline companions! Cat yoga is a great method to bond with your cat while getting a decent workout at the same time for those of you who want to exercise and engage with animals.
So, where do cats come into all of this? Cats are naturals at embracing the physical and emotional parts of yoga, as they are excellent stretchers and intuitive soothers.
Keep an eye on your kitty the next time she wakes up from her slumber to notice how supple her muscles are.
Because cats are naturally lively and interested, and because cats will do anything to attract your attention, your kitten will be right there with you on the yoga mat, working on her cat position (and probably clawing the mat). You have been forewarned.
Although the feline participants may distract you, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that can have a good impact on your life. Do you have a stressful situation?
Cats can also assist with this. Experts point out that “Pets relieve stress by satisfying our desire for physical contact, which we find soothing. Furthermore, they share the same sentiment.”
Why Does My Cat Do Yoga Poses?
One of the reasons your cat do yoga poses is to get your attention.
Cats are naturally playful and curious, and because cats will do anything to get your attention, the minute you step onto the yoga mat, your kitty will be right there with you, practicing her cat pose and probably clawing the mat. You have been forewarned.
This relationship is also beneficial to the cats. Lisa Johns, the manager of the Good Mews cat sanctuary in Marietta, Georgia, tells CNN, “They get excitement from the people.”
“They’re highly interested in what’s going on. They receive a lot of love and affection, as well as increased socializing.
” At Good Mews, yoga lessons are led by a trained yoga practitioner with the purpose of bringing animal lovers and potential pet parents to the shelter to meet the adoptable cats. It’s unquestionably a win-win situation!
Not a fan of yoga? When it comes to exercising with cats, basic stretches are also effective. You can, for example, use your cat to assist you do toe touches on the floor at home.
She’ll sprawl out next to you and, more than likely, play with your toes.
Practicing yoga with your cat, whether you currently have one or are contemplating about getting one, promotes a healthy mind and body while also strengthening your bond.
Plus, it eliminates the excuse that only dog owners can exercise with their pets because now you can, too!
Is Yoga Good For Cats?
Yes, yoga is good for cats.
Cat-loving yogis have long admired their cats’ abilities in the practice of yoga, and thanks to cat yoga classes, more individuals may now enjoy the benefits of yoga in a cat-friendly fashion.
From coast to coast, the joyful, furry, and physical phenomena are cropping up in shelters, cat cafés, and other places.
Everyone benefits from cat yoga events, from humanitarian to physiological.
Participants receive a great workout while also getting to connect with kitties.
Shelters and rescue organizations raise donations to save cats. Cats get to practice their human socializing abilities, making them more adoptable. Win-win-win!
Yoga is one of the most often utilized alternative health treatments to preserve health and wellbeing, relieve stress and anxiety, and improve quality of life, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Lower blood pressure and heart rate, relief from depression and insomnia, reduced symptoms of low back pain, and enhanced strength, flexibility, and overall fitness are just a few of the health benefits.
Yoga has been linked to a variety of health advantages in humans, but may group yoga lessons benefit cats as well? Yes, according to science.
Some cats actively connect with humans during the session, asking to touch or be petted, and people respond appropriately.
Human and animal touch receptors increase the release of oxytocin and a cascade of “feel-good” brain chemicals, resulting in a soothing effect.
Lower blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, are all physiological results of this form of helpful touch.
If you’re new to cats, keep in mind that they prefer to be patted in the temporal region, which is between their eyes and ears, followed by the chin area, and they don’t like their tails handled, according to research.
Music, like a second heartbeat, has a profound effect on living beings. Music in yoga assists in preparing the body, mind, and breath for the practice ahead.
In Wales, Sian Barr, a recent veterinary school graduate, investigated the effects of yoga meditation music on cats in a veterinary clinic.
During the year-long experiment, she observed body postures, ear and eye placements, and respiration levels. “I found that the music had a dramatic effect on respiration rates, with those exposed to the music decreasing to a relaxed rate much faster than those not exposed,” she said in an interview.
Cats prefer species-specific music based on pitch, tempo, and timbre, according to other research. One sample was based on purring tempo.
According to research, this type of music can reduce stress and promote calm behavior. Purrington’s Cat Lounge in Portland, Oregon, offers weekly cat yoga classes, and co-owner Kristen Castillo says cats responded positively when an instructor began the class with a loud purring sound that lasted several minutes.
Perhaps the music of Om Shanti yoga meditation strikes a chord with cats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did cats invent yoga?
No, cats did not invent yoga. Yoga was founded by Adi Yogi Shiva. Yoga was developed over 5,000 years ago in Northern India by the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. The term “Yoga” appears for the first time in the Rig Veda, one of the world’s oldest sacred texts.
Can I do yoga with my cat at home?
If you don’t live near a cat yoga facility, you can practice at home with your own cat. You will not only benefit from the health benefits, but the interaction will also help to strengthen your bond. Even if you’re not a yoga fan, sitting on the floor and doing gentle stretches will pique your cat’s interest.
What are cat yoga events?
Even if you don’t have a cat of your own, you can still get some exercise by interacting with cats who would like your company. Cat yoga nights are being held at animal shelters across the country to help individuals strengthen their cores, achieve inner peace, and possibly find a new forever feline friend.
Final Words
Yoga is definitely something that cats can do. Cats are extremely adaptable. Cat yoga helps you and your cat form a stronger bond. Humans’ physical and emotional wellness are aided by animals.
Cuddling with spinning cats is not only more enjoyable, but it also offers health benefits. Yoga has numerous advantages for both you and your cat. Begin today and allow yourself to be immersed in the experience.
If you have any unanswered questions, ask us in the comments section.
