CAMDEN — Let the downward dog pose jokes write themselves. Marylou Cook, owner of Coastal Maine Yoga, a new yoga studio on Molyneaux Road, heard a story on NPR about people doing yoga with cats as a way to chill out from the election news coverage right about the same time that P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center in Camden began getting requests for cat yoga classes.

“My son volunteers with the animals, so I offered my yoga services as a silent auction gift,” said Cook. “They told me of all the calls for cat yoga they’d been getting, so I said, sure, I’d do a few classes.”

Cook runs the free evening classes in P.A.W.S. community room after hours. So far only a few classes have been held, and they’ve had to find the right mix of cat and human compatibility.

“The first time we did the class and there were only three cats in the room,” she said. “I think they were testing the waters. It depends on the personality of the cats. Some cats can’t be in the same room as the others because they start bullying and beating on each other.”

The class had to find cats with the right temperament to participate—ones that didn’t mind contortionist poses (After all, have you ever see a cat skid to a stop from a running leap, only to launch into a complete undercarriage examination with a foot in the air?)

“As the class has gone along, the cats start to relax and lay on the mats with us and become really relaxed and calm,” said Cook. It must be a welcome break after lying across the P.A.W.S.’ staff keyboards all day. “It actually works both ways; it’s relaxing for the cats and the people. It’s just a great way to hang out and have fun.”

It’s a win-win, said Cook, because she also volunteers her time and participants pay it forward by bringing donations of cat food, litter and other supplies. Plus, both Cook and P.A.W.S. are hoping that some bonding will go on as the classes continue. 

“I think it’s a great opportunity for people who like cats and like yoga. They can come back and visit a little friend they’ve made,” said Cook.

For more information visit: Yoga with Cats!

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com