Unplugging and getting away from the hassle of daily life is no small feat these days, now that we all have our own hand-held computers to take everywhere. Thus, intentional unplugging is necessary, and the Pruett family understands this — it’s one reason they launched Goat Yoga Bham. Beginners and seasoned yogis can visit the five-and-a-half-acre farm and bask in the natural beauty of Alabama, all while enjoying the fun of the first and only goat yoga opportunity in this area. Or, if you prefer, the goats can come to you.
The Pruett family, owners of Goat Yoga Bham, shared how they had no intention of doing any kind of business with their family farm initially — it simply “happened organically and really took off.” The land they purchased in Helena, which was overgrown due to being a foreclosure, seemed the ideal place for raising a few brush-munching goats to help out with their yard work. Amy Pruett, a former Realtor and a self-declared “city girl,” said she casually discovered The Original Goat Yoga, a company based in Oregon, online one day and was immediately inspired.
“I thought — Hey! I have goats! And they are small and love to jump on people! I did my research, and no one else in our area was doing it,” she explained, beaming.
The Pruetts had absolutely no idea that Goat Yoga Bham would take off with such ease, but it did, mostly thanks to social media posts and word of mouth, said Amy. As of this article, enjoying yoga with goats is just one of the many reasons to visit the Pruett family farm — they strive to give locals a place to unwind, have fun and enjoy a complete outdoor experience. Cows, pigs, and of course goats are part of the farm’s charm, and visitors love spending the whole day.
“We love to meet people who come out to the farm. We have one employee, plus my family, and we have independent contractor yoga instructors,” said Amy. “We want you to feel like you came over just to hang out. We’ll never be a huge farm with hayrides and pumpkin patches; we just want you to be able to get away and share in our piece of heaven.”
Goat Yoga Bham keeps evolving, and COVID-19 didn’t stop its popularity. Various groups have requested these cheerful goats for yoga — from school classrooms to college sororities, according to Amy. “Goats on the Go,” in which a pin for the goats is set up on location, ensures that anyone, anywhere can experience the magic.
“The business has evolved with whatever people ask for,” Amy shared. “When the first person asked for the goats to visit them, my husband said, ‘Let’s make it happen,’ and we built a traveling pin.”
Those who are interested in meeting the goats (or the Pruetts, for that matter) this season will have a variety of opportunities to do so. “Wine Down Wednesdays” is perfect for adults who crave a glass of vino under the stars, but the kids can come along as well, said Amy. There’s outdoor lighting, plenty of furniture, an hour of goat yoga and the chance to bring your own snacks. Birthday parties, other kinds of parties and corporate team-building are also common requests for the Pruett farm. And family field trips are always an option.
“Picture kids aged 10 and under with an adult, learning about not only the goats but also cows, pigs, and other animals,” Amy enthused. “They can feed and pet the goats and do some stretching as a “taste” of yoga. They get to learn about ducks, hens, roosters, baby chicks. The best part is kids being outside and not being on devices. It’s a reconnection with nature.”