Moonstone Pathways hosts yoga with horses

DE PERE – It’s time to stop horsing around and do some yoga — or in this case, do yoga with some horses.

Since June, Kerry Hoops has been hosting yoga with horses classes at Whistlers Run and Rescue Barn through her company Moonstone Pathways.

The barn is located in De Pere, and has several different rescued animals from pigs, goats, horses and more.

It all started when Hoops began volunteering at Whistlers Run and Rescue in March of 2024, and started her yoga teacher training in January.

Hoops had asked her fellow volunteers at the barn to do a practice class with her, in which they all agreed and decided to do it at the horse barn.

Hoops explained that the horses stayed in their stalls and curiously watched over everyone during the yoga.

“We all agreed it was such a cool experience, you’re laying on your mats and looking up at these giant horses,” Hoops said.

“The barn owner told me, ‘I’ve seen yoga before but I’ve never seen yoga like that’ and then asked if I wanted to teach here, in which I of course said yes,” said Hoops.

Hoops then did a few more practice classes and right after getting her certification, she opened her classes to the public and created Moonstone Pathways.

Hoops elaborated that the class is both about yoga and experience, as students are encouraged to interact with the horses during the classes.

Hoops also noted that not only is this beneficial for students, but for the horses as well, as many of them were rescued from maltreatment, being overworked, abused, etc.

“During the yoga, the horses start to calm down with the rest of the class, they get to observe and experience,” Hoops said.

“Horses have an interesting energy about them and the way they sense the environment and how perceptive they are,” Hoops added, describing the horses as “gentle giants.”

Hoops expressed that she enjoys seeing the reactions students have to the class and the barn, stating, “I love watching how everyone experiences it. The surprise, the awe and the giggles.”

Hoops had attempted to do a class with pigs, but found they were a bit too difficult to do yoga with. Even so, Hoops mentioned that she would like to do some pop up classes involving other animals in the future.

Hoops also noted that the barn is kept very nice and clean, including heated floors so it’s not cold during the winter.

Hoops explained that she knew she wanted to keep doing this because it was so light-hearted, as she shared, “Yoga is life changing. To be able to get into the practice, to have that tool, to ground yourself, navigate through your life and taking that time does wonders and I think this is a fun way to start.”

The classes take place at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday and the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

To learn more, visit the Moonstone Pathways Facebook page.