Kitten Yoga Has Class Purring With Contentment

CUTCHOGUE, NY — Kitten yoga, maybe the best form of exercise ever, returned Saturday to JABS in Cutchogue, where a crowd turned out for some feline fun.

Kittens got into the act, playing with class members, watching curiously as they struck yoga poses, and basically just being adorable during the fundraising event.

The class, which included both adults and children, was a combination of instruction, kitty play, and education — with a goal of finding forever homes, since all the kittens are adoptable.

The North Fork Country Kids: Rescue And Preservation Through Pedagogy is a not-for-profit animal rescue organization based in Aquebogue and founded by Virginia Scudder. The group teamed up with JABS of Cutchogue for an hour of kitten yoga Saturday morning.

"Kitten yoga is just one way our organization becomes a part of the community though mindful activities that give locals the opportunity to learn about feral cats and our mission to help and care for these animals," Scudder said. "We are grateful to JABS and to all that participate in these events. Animals are deserving of love and care. Through these events, we gain more advocates for them."

The yoga classes are also therapeutic, not only for those of us that join in on the class but also for the cats and kittens that get to play and be loved as they wait for a forever home, Scudder said.

"It’s a win-win — but more important, the yoga classes instill a desire for our community to be part of the big picture-coming together for a worthwhile cause," Scudder added.

Veterinary care and colony food are expensive, Scudder said. And the events help to raise not only funds, but awareness — and to introduce the sweet kitten to potential future families.

"Kitten yoga is a great way to bring awareness to the organization in a fun and meaningful way. It's a unique dynamic between the calm of yoga and the playfulness of the kittens. The session was almost therapeutic," said Jill Schroeder, owner and head trainer at JABS. "The energy was so positive and everyone had a smile on their face from start to end. We also hope this gets the kittens adopted to find their fur-ever homes. JABS always strives to bring fitness and community together."

Photos by Lisa Finn.