by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Everyone loves playing with kids, and these kids are no exception- though they're a bit furry and may eat your shirt. Goat yoga has been a popular activity each Thursday evening at Glean for Good just outside Garretson, and it has been a collaboration between two families who love animals, fitness, and fun.
Sanford physician Dr. Beth Jensen, husband Matt, and two daughters run Glean for Good just southeast of Garretson. Dr. Jensen began it as a bit of a hobby farm, as a way to live off the land sustainably and open that access to others. Since then, it has evolved and grown, but the main goal has always been the same: to educate and to share the bounty with others.
Goat yoga has been perfect, she said. "It's doing something silly, together. This was the vibe I was going for all along."
She provides field trips and tours to homeschooling groups, daycares, and schools. People are invited over regularly for different activities, such as soap-making, learning how to care for animals, and gardening. While she charges for some of the activities, most of it goes right back into providing for others.
Jensen also works with schools in Sioux Falls to use their un-eaten food scraps for her herds, which include mini-calves, mini-donkeys, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, and of course, goats. She has also been known to transport her animals to different locations for unusual fundraisers, such as a "Kiss the Pig" challenge that was given to Rosa Parks Elementary in Sioux Falls this past spring.
Clark and Nikki Highby own an acreage with their young son, Miles, just northeast of Garretson, where they raise chickens, bees, and kittens. Nikki would have more animals, but as a busy, award-winning first-grade teacher at Pettigrew Elementary, would have to conjure more time in a day. However, she always made time for fitness and exercise and worked hard to keep up her regimen.
Clark's "office" is often in an excavator, and he found himself sitting far more than he liked and was having a difficult time committing to an exercise regimen a few years ago. A consummate handyman who also loves outdoor activities, he was not about to allow his fitness level to slip.
Together, the couple joined yoga classes at Form Fitness in Sioux Falls, even if they had to do them at different times due to their schedules, but it helped bring them closer together. When yoga teacher training came up as an option, they both jumped at the chance and have been enjoying the teaching aspect since completing their certifications.
"I've been teaching for about a year," said Clark, a tall, lean man who is comfortable in Chacos sandals, soccer jerseys, and a topknot. He intends to eventually go full-time with his own yoga studio, but for now, is happy teaching a few classes per week.
Goat yoga came about when Nikki connected with Dr. Jensen this past spring. She had been looking for a space to teach yoga in Garretson, but hadn't had any luck with settling on a location. She had been wanting to try goat yoga for some time, and when she noticed she couldn't find any classes in the area, she posted on Garretson Living, asking if anyone had goats so she could provide the experience she was looking for.
Both women bonded immediately. They have similar extroverted, bubbly personalities, and a "can do it" work ethic and attitude that is contagious. It only took two weeks to bring the entire idea to fruition, which not only includes the weekly Thursday night class, but also time and space to do private group classes upon request. The two couples set up a fenced area to contain the goats during the workouts, and have had an average of 35-45 people join each week. Participants have come from as far as Hawaii, and the only nights where attendance has been a bit lower have been those where it's raining. One night had over 70 participants.
The Highbys have also been doing Vinyasa and Vines on the second Friday night of the month at Humble Hill Winery just northwest of Garretson.
They plan to continue the outdoor classes until the weather gets too cool, though even then, they're enthusiastic about seeing if people will participate in winter outdoor classes.
"We're glad to get people to do an outdoor class," said Clark. "Having a different crowd each time has been fun."
Classes are only $10 per week, and no pre-registration is required. All ages and fitness levels are accepted. More class information can be found on Facebook at Bee Fit SD Yoga and Wellness or Glean for Good.
