Goat yoga is one of the joyful surprises that the wellness world didn’t see coming. Just imagine yourself on a yoga mat, stretching into downward dog, when a curious little goat trots over, nuzzles your arm, or maybe even tries to hop up on you to play. That mix of calm breathing, mindful movement, and pure animal silliness is what makes goat yoga unforgettable!
Goat Yoga in Illinois
The story of Goat Yoga started in 2016, when Lainey Morse in Oregon opened her farm and invited people to try yoga with her adorable goats. At that time, she wanted to share the lighthearted comfort these animals brought her during a difficult period. It started as a local experiment and soon turned into a global trend because who doesn’t feel their stress melt away with a goat snuggle?
Goat yoga was founded not to perfect postures, but to spread joy, laughter, and connection. It reminds us that wellness isn’t always serious, sometimes it’s playful, messy, and full of bleats. Today, you can find goat yoga popping up on farms and in yoga studios across the U.S., including here in Illinois, where it has found a home in rolling fields and friendly herds.
Let’s check out the studios for Goat Yoga in Illinois –
Goat Yoga Chicago
About –
Goat Yoga Chicago grew out of a family farm in Elgin, which is known as Reverse the Kerrs Farm. It was started in 2018 by Danielle Kerr, whose dream was to create more than just a yoga class. After losing her father to depression in 2015, Danielle decided to work on developing a space where people could heal, smile, and feel lighter, even if only for an hour!
The idea was simple and powerful to mix gentle yoga with the playful energy of goats. These curious little animals don’t just entertain; they help ease stress, brighten moods, and even support those living with anxiety or special needs. The farm’s name itself (Reverse the Kerrs) carries a promise to reverse the silence and stigma around mental health and offer connection, laughter, and hope.
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- Goat Yoga – These are standard goat yoga classes which are offered all year round, while participants do yoga.
- The Ultimate Farm Experience – This is a more than yoga kind of session, which includes goats, farm walks, and general “farm fun.”
- Fall on the Farm – It’s a gentler, nature-centered offering, with goats intended as a fall reset for mind and body.
- Snowshoe with the Goat Crew – This is a seasonal session which takes place in Winters, including snowshoeing with goats as an outdoor adventure rather than a basic yoga class.
Website – https://www.goatyogachicago.com/
Galena Goat Yoga
About –
Galena Goat Yoga was established by founder, Jen, a goat lover. After losing both her parents to Alzheimer’s and later being laid off from her corporate job, she decided it was time to start something that truly mattered to her heart. Together with her husband Josh, she bought a small historic farm just outside Galena and began to rebuild it with love and purpose.
They called it Silver Linings Farm, a name that symbolises finding light even in difficult times. What started as a barn renovation soon grew into a joyful space where people could open their mats, breathe well, and share their practice with a playful herd of goats. The goal wasn’t only yoga, it was to create a place filled with laughter, community, and little reminders that joy can be found in the most unexpected places!
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- It’s a relaxed social experience combining time with goats + coffee & pastries. Here, you can spend about 1 hour enjoying your morning beverage and treats, along with the company of 6 quirky goats.
- Venue – It takes place at Silver Linings Farm (Galena, IL), indoors if the weather is bad; otherwise it’s conducted outdoors.
- Who it’s for – Groups of 2-8 people with a minimum age of 8 years.
- Features – It includes relaxed goat interaction, comfortable seating in a “furnished corn crib”, coffee & pastry included.
Website – https://www.galenagoatyoga.com/
Nature’s Trail Yoga
About –
Nature’s Trail Yoga is tucked away on a peaceful five-acre mini farm in Orland Park, where the quiet of nature and the playful energy of goats come together. It was started by Michele McGovern Apps, a certified yoga instructor who wanted to create more than just a place to stretch, breathe, and feed the goats.
After training at the 90 Monkeys School of Yoga in Colorado and exploring other healing practices, Michele dreamed of sharing yoga in a way that felt open, fun, and deeply connected to the earth. Surrounded by fields, trees, and animals, her farm became the perfect spot. Here, people can move through gentle poses while goats wander by, reminding everyone that wellness can be lighthearted too.
She founded Nature’s Trail Yoga to give people an escape from daily stress, a place to laugh, relax, and reconnect—with themselves, with nature, and with a few friendly goats along the way.
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- Goat Yoga & Goat Fun – This is a 60-minute all-levels yoga with mini & baby goats roaming around. It includes 30 minutes of “goat fun” after yoga with zoom-in selfies, cuddles, nature walk, sometimes even a waterfall spot!
- Private Event – Goat Yoga & Goat Fun – It’s conducted in the same format (yoga + goat time) designed for private groups including yoga mats, blankets, and props. Here, guests can bring their own food & drinks at a pricing of $35 per adult / $25 for kids who are 12 & under.
Website – https://www.naturestrailyoga.com/
Goat Yoga Joy
About –
Goat Yoga Joy is a cozy spot where yoga and the playful souls of goats come together. The classes are led by Janna Miller, who believes yoga is more than just poses; it’s about breathing deeply, finding calm, and adding a touch of joy to everyday life.
The beautiful setting of the farm makes the practice special. Here, goats wander in and out of poses, helping people shake off stress and remember to laugh a little! Traveling Goat Yoga Joy was created to offer a break from busy routines, giving people a chance to connect with nature, with animals, and with themselves.
They also host fun gatherings like “Sit and Sip” sessions and wine tastings, all focused around the charm of their friendly goats.
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- Yoga Practice – This is a total 90-minute session including 45 minutes of gentle yoga led by certified instructor Janna Miller and 45 minutes of mingling with the friendly herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats.
- Sit and Sip – You can spend an hour sitting and sipping your favorite beverage while interacting with the goats.
- Wine Tasting – It includes collaborating with Patina Wine Bar to offer wine tasting sessions mainly available on Sundays to enjoy a curated selection of wines while spending the entire time with the goats.
Website – https://goatyogajoy.com/
Ryder Family Farm
About –
The Ryder Family Farm in Golconda, Illinois, is the dream of Talina and Nathan Ryder. After the birth of their first child, they realized the joy of growing their own food and being close to nature. This inspired them to leave the city life in Phoenix and settle in Southern Illinois, where the land was perfect for farming!
They started their farm in 2013 with fresh fruits, vegetables, and goat milk soaps. With time they added dairy goats, a Jersey cow, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and even garden mums. The farm is more than just a place to grow food, it’s a space full of life, learning, and connection. Every goat, chicken, and plant is part of a story about following your passion, embracing nature, and sharing joy with the community!
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- It’s an outdoor yoga session surrounded by friendly goats designed to uplift the spirit and relax the mind and body.
- The session is typically held in the spring and fall season.
- The session’s pricing is $30 per person with advance purchase of $35 at the door.
- These classes take place outdoors under the shade of a maple grove where all skill levels are welcome.
- The goat interaction includes participants enjoying playful interactions with the goats during the session.
- At the end of the next class, attendees can perform their favorite yoga pose with a baby goat balanced on them or take selfies with the goats.
- Their spring classes feature younger goats as new babies are born in the winter; fall classes have smaller goats!
Website – https://www.ryderfamilyfarm.com/
Blue Sky Farm
About –
Blue Sky Farm Goat Yoga in Sugar Grove, Illinois, was started in 2018 on a charming 5.5-acre farm that had been in the Mighell family for 150 years. The fencing farm property was turned into a joyful space where people could connect with animals and nature.
It was inspired by the goat yoga movement in Oregon, where the farm now hosts playful goats, mini horses, a donkey, puppy yoga, chickens, and even a barn cat. The visitors can enjoy yoga classes with goats, private animal cuddles, retreats, and special events, all designed to bring laughter, calm, and a sense of connection to nature and animals!
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- Goat Yoga Classes – In these classes, the participants engage in a gentle flow yoga session accompanied by playful baby goats.
- Duration – The duration of the session is approximately 45 minutes of yoga, followed by 15 minutes of goat interaction.
- Private Goat Cuddle Sessions – It’s an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the goats, offering a therapeutic and relaxing experience of 1-hour.
- Goat Yoga Farm Parties – These are customized events featuring goat yoga, allowing guests to enjoy yoga with goats in a private setting.
- Goats to Go – Here, the goats are brought to your location for events like senior living facility visits, painting classes, and yoga studios to spread joy and provide therapeutic interactions with the goats.
Website – https://blueskyfarmgoatyoga.com/
Original Goat Yoga
About –
Original Goat Yoga was started in 2016 in Oregon, after a mix of lifetime challenges and love for animals. Its founder, Lainey Morse, was going through chronic illness when she found comfort in spending time with her goats. These playful animals brought her joy, and she wanted to share that feeling with others.
What began as casual “Goat Happy Hour” gatherings soon grew when a local yoga instructor suggested adding yoga to the mix. The first goat yoga class was held on Lainey’s farm in Albany, Oregon, and it became a quick hit. Photos went viral, and the concept spread across the country!
Now, Original Goat Yoga combines gentle yoga with the fun and healing presence of goats. It’s more than exercise; it’s laughter, stress relief, and a reminder that connection with animals and nature can bring unexpected joy.
Goat Yoga Offerings –
- Original Goat Yoga Experience – You can book and enjoy 90 minutes of gentle yoga with playful goats roaming around, followed by Goat Happy Hour costing $45.
- Private Goat Yoga Events – These are perfect for birthdays, bachelorette parties occasion, or corporate retreats where yoga is customized with your cute goat friend interactions and fun farm activities for a unique group experience.
- Farm Extras – Here, you can explore horseback rides, gator rides, fishing, and a petting zoo with full-service restaurant and indoor space available where yoga mats can be rented.
Website – https://cedarpoint.goatyoga.net/
Final Words –
Goat yoga in Illinois isn’t just a fun twist on a traditional yoga business; it’s a heartwarming, memorable experience that combines movement, mindfulness, and joy. As you stretch and breathe alongside playful goats, stress melts away, muscles loosen, and laughter fills the air. The staff and team at Goat Yoga in Illinois help you meet your expectations, whether it’s submitting to a welcoming, calming stretch or meeting the goats that make the practice unforgettable.
Goat yoga Illinois offers mental refreshment, gentle exercise, and a chance to connect with nature and animals. In Illinois, goat yoga is more than a trend—it’s a small and powerful reminder to all your questions that wellness can be joyful, playful, and full of heart!
