Dec. 16th Candlelight Bunny Yoga with Victoria

Have you ever tried bunny yoga? We hadn't either until we had bunnies of our own!

Imagine an open concept space bathed in natural light as the sun is setting. People sit on their mats, ready to begin their practice, enjoying the glow of their candle and the quiet ambiance. The class begins and participants relax and let go of the stresses of their daily lives. A gentle wave of calm washes over everyone. Sensing the peacefulness, curious, fluffy bunnies hop into the yoga room to explore. With their soft fur and curious little noses, the bunnies add an element of pure joy and deepened relaxation to the yoga session.

With bunnies, the style of yoga that we will be engaging in is more of a relaxation yoga. Participants can expect to engage in gentle stretches, mindful breathing, and flow through yoga poses while the bunnies explore. If you are lucky, you might occasionally have a furry visitor looking for leafy greens on your mat or quietly flop nearby.

The class is designed to blend the soothing effects of yoga with the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction, creating a uniquely calming experience. The presence of the bunnies encourages deeper relaxation, mindfulness, and a sense of playfulness, making the practice not only good for the body but also for the soul. Connecting with a prey animal, like bunnies is a different kind of connection. It taps into softness and vulnerability. Whether a bunny flops near you during a seated meditation or hops by during a stretch, the connection between human and animal adds an extra layer of tranquility to the class.

THIS IS NOT GOAT YOGA! THIS IS NOT PUPPY YOGA!

Bunnies are a prey animal, making them extra sensitive to their environment. If you have tried goat yoga or puppy yoga, this experience will be quieter, calmer (and perhaps even more introspective). Show up as your most introverted self and you just might make a bunny friend! If participants are loud or unpredictable in their movements, the bunnies will retreat.

With this in mind, this yoga experience is best for adults and young people who are interested in yoga and able to focus on the mindfulness practice. We're loosely suggesting this yoga experience is best for adults and young people ages 11+ who can remain calm in the presence of fluffy adorableness but we'll trust your judgment.

Here is our comparison of yoga with bunnies vs. goats and puppies.

Bunny Yoga:

• Atmosphere: Bunny yoga is characterized by a serene and tranquil environment. The presence of soft, gentle bunnies creates a calming atmosphere that enhances relaxation and mindfulness during the yoga session.
• Interaction: Bunnies are small, quiet, and naturally more careful in their environment. They are also curious, so they might hop around or snuggle up to participants, providing a soothing and comforting experience without much disruption. Their interactions are subtle and can help deepen the sense of peace and connection in the practice. They are curious enough to try to nibble on your yoga mat. Don't worry, we'll put some leafy greens on your mat which they much prefer!
• Focus: The practice emphasizes relaxation, meditation, and gentle movement, with the bunnies adding a layer of emotional comfort and joy. It’s particularly appealing to those who seek a calm and restorative yoga experience.
• Energy Level: The overall energy of a bunny yoga class is low-key and peaceful, ideal for unwinding and de-stressing.

Goat Yoga:

• Atmosphere: Goat yoga, on the other hand, is lively and playful. The presence of energetic goats adds an element of fun and unpredictability to the class, creating a more dynamic and interactive experience.
• Interaction: Goats are curious, playful, and sometimes mischievous. They might climb on participants, nibble on yoga mats, or engage in amusing antics. This can lead to laughter and light-heartedness, making the class feel more like a joyful, communal activity.
• Focus: While yoga poses are still central, goat yoga often becomes more about the experience with the animals than about traditional practice. It’s a blend of fitness and entertainment, where participants embrace the unexpected and enjoy the goats’ antics.
• Energy Level: The energy in a goat yoga class is high-spirited and lively, perfect for those looking for a fun, social, and unique yoga experience.

Puppy Yoga:

• Atmosphere: Puppy yoga is lively and heartwarming, with an atmosphere that’s both playful and affectionate. The presence of energetic puppies adds excitement and a sense of warmth to the class.
• Interaction: Puppies are exuberant and full of energy. They might jump on participants, lick their faces, or playfully tug on yoga mats. The interactions are more active and engaging, often leading to laughter and joyful moments throughout the session.
• Focus: While yoga poses are still practiced, puppy yoga often emphasizes playfulness and the joy of being surrounded by affectionate animals. It’s a blend of exercise and social interaction, with a focus on enjoying the puppies’ enthusiasm.
• Energy Level: The energy in puppy yoga is high-spirited and vibrant, perfect for those looking for a fun, lively, and interactive experience.

In summary, bunny yoga offers a calming, restorative experience focused on relaxation and peace, while puppy yoga or goat yoga provides a more playful, energetic session filled with entertaining interactions and lively moments. If you are seeking calm and quiet, give this a try!

What to Expect:

You will arrive and set up your mat in our open air space. You will be given some leafy greens to place on your mat as a way to encourage the bunnies to visit your mat. (If you wish to bring your own leafy green treats for the buns, please choose from the list outlined in the FAQ's. Bunnies do love variety!) When the instructor has started the class, the bunnies will have their door opened. This is their invitation to check out what we are doing in the yoga room. We have 8 bunnies in total and some of them may decide to join the class and others may decide to stay in the safety of their bunny room. The more calm our yoga room is, the more likely the bunnies will feel safe to join us.

When the bunnies are moving around the room, you are encouraged to continue with your yoga practice. Some bunnies like to be patted (and are more willing to receive pats while they are eating their leafy greens) but some do not. If a bunny flops near you take that as a compliment! You must have great energy and the bunny is feeling safe and comfortable with you!

At the end of class, for the safety of the bunnies, we will invite participants to leave a few people at a time. This allows us to keep tabs on the buns and make sure that they don't accidentally get hurt as people are leaving. We will escort them back to their bunny room after everyone has left.

FRIES Consent Principles for the Bunnies

We like to follow consent principles for our bunnies.

F - is their consent freely given? We invite the bunnies to yoga by opening their bunny room door.

R- is their consent reversible? We leave their pathway to their bunny room free of obstacles so they can return to their safe space at any time during bunny yoga.

I-is their sent informed? We try to keep the yoga room routines and rules for adults consistent so the bunnies know what to expect and so the bunnies can trust they will be safe. This is why we have a minimum age suggestion and rules about not picking up bunnies. We want the bunnies to know what to expect.

E-are the bunnies enthusiastically consenting to be there? This one is tricky because bunnies are curious and hesitant by nature. We are inviting the bunnies to you as a way to meet their needs for stimulation and connection and play. All the bunnies, regardless of whether they joined yoga, have other outlets to meet their needs for stimulation and connection. All bunnies receive leafy greens regularly and after the yoga session is over, they all receive leafy green treats. It's our way of making sure the consent to join yoga is made more enthusiastically, not out of desperation or as a reward only given to the more outgoing bunnies. Our more hesitant bunnies will get ther needs met too. This is another strategy we are offering them to meet their needs.

S-is the invitation we give them to join bunny yoga specific? We have been establishing routines and trust with our buns so that yoga is enjoyable for them. We aren't going to surprise them by acting like we're doing yoga and then burst out into dance routines. That one would probably go against your consent too!

About our Instructor

Our Yoga Instructor is Victoria and she can be found on IG as @yogaxvictoria. ctising yoga for over 30 years. Victoria loves power yoga and brings a gentle "bunny version" to this class, mixing strength, stretch, balance, playfulness and mindfulness.

When she isn't instructing yoga, Victoria is a school secretary, a role that involves holding space for all the feelings.

About the bunnies

Below are photos of the bunnies who are most likely to join us for Bunny yoga; Ringo, Daisy, Bow, and Opes. Our other bunnies Sterling, Dandy, Olive, and Ruby may or may not venture into the yoga room. Sterling is a three legged bunny and is understandably more cautious about her safety and slower to build trust. Dandy, Olive, and Ruby are our babies. They haven't been interested in yoga yet but they have peered at us from the hallway.

Bow playing outside in our bunny playground. Bow enjoys pats and meeting new people.

Daisy is our most athletic bunny and often the first to arrive for yoga sessions. She likes to be with people but on her own terms.

This is Ringo. We think he is dapper, chill, and charming. He is often one of the first to join the yoga room. He loves to explore and find easy going people to flop beside.

This is Opes aka Opie aka Opal. He is a happy guy who likes people and pats. Opes is the younger brother to Bow and loves being with his bunny family.

Event Venue

Blue Dot Acres, 2179A Dundas Street, Burlington, Canada