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Stretch, bend and fold in a gentle yoga class on Saturday, June 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. Playing and bonding with the kittens starts at 3 p.m., followed by the yoga class at 3:30. The kittens will be available for adoption.
“The kittens will roam the mats as we go through gentle asanas, always aware and making room so it’s a positive experience for all,” Studio 108 owner Teresa Dornellas of North Arlington said.
“Being around animals is soothing and may even offer health benefits.”
Suggested donation is $10 but people are encouraged to give as much as they can. All proceeds from the class directly benefit the Secaucus shelter.
“Watching kittens interact is better than any therapy session. They're so comical,” Secaucus Animal Shelter Director Chris Conte said.
“People come to our kitten playroom just to decompress. They come and let loose and laugh and laugh.”
Conte said this is the shelter’s first kitten yoga event and she expects it will be a hit.
“We’re going to bring some babies, around four to six weeks old. They’ll be available for adoption depending on the age,” Conte said. “I think everyone will love it.”
People won’t be able to walk out with a kitten the day of the event. There is paperwork that must be processed first.
“Some of the guys we bring might be too young for adoption, but even if they’re ready, we don’t do on-the-spot adoptions,” she said.
Paperwork for adoptions takes three to five days and kittens are seen by the shelter’s staff vet and given their first two round of shots before adoption.
The Secaucus Animal Shelter is a free-roaming shelter that doesn’t use cages.
“We have a living room atmosphere, and everyone here is a true animal lover. No one is here just because it’s their job. We’re very blessed at this place,” Conte said.
A cat lover, Dornellas says this a win-win for everyone. “Yoga and cats are close to my heart and I love spreading the positive vibe of both.”
Studio 108 is a yoga community center based in Lyndhurst. Aside from daily yoga classes, instruction is offered in Pilates, BootyBarre and specialty workshops. See the Studio 108 website for more information and to sign-up for Kitten Yoga.
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