Alpaca yoga, float tanks and other wellness adventures

As a wellness coach, I feel it’s my duty to explore the latest wellness trends and report what I learn. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. How else will you find out about how completely adorable alpacas are, and how utterly relaxing it is to practice yoga on a farm with sheep bleating to your right, pigs grunting to your left, and a gentle mist hanging in the air while you perform child's pose? Or how relaxed your muscles can feel after being in a float tank for over an hour?

Several of my coworkers invited me to alpaca yoga at Eagle Eye Farm — a lovely expanse of green grass, white picket fences, friendly staff and the cutest little farm animals. Our yoga instructor invited us to feed the alpacas during our session (the farm provided us with little feed packets) and to take pictures when they came up to us. It was magnificent. I had a smile on my face the whole time, whether I was releasing muscle tension through down dog or petting Pearl. Afterwards, we chatted with the instructor, petted one of the farm’s super soft angora rabbits, and tried some honey from bees on the property. My coworkers and I agreed this was one of the most fun “happy hours” we’ve ever had. 

Another wellness adventure I recently experienced was a float tank at The Wellness Center in Minneapolis. The water is warm and filled with Epsom salt, and the salt content is so high you just effortlessly float on the water and relax. It’s completely quiet, though you can play music from your phone if you prefer, and you can have it totally dark, or you can turn on some soft, glowing lights. 

I have to admit, while I was excited to try it, I went in feeling a little uncertain as to whether I’d make it the whole 90 minutes without any kind of sensory stimulation other than the feeling of the water on my skin and the sound of my breathing. I spent the first 15 minutes getting used to the idea of being there, keeping the soft purple light on, focusing on my breath and letting thoughts drift away. Then I experimented with turning the lights out. This was uncomfortable for me at first. As you float, you occasionally reach the side of the tank, and the sense of it touching my skin startled me. I practiced reaching for the light switch, memorizing how far it was from me, so that I knew I could turn it on at any time I wanted. After a while, I was able to keep it off and feel comfortable and relaxed. As a person who self-admittedly isn’t that great at meditation for longer than 20 minutes, I was surprised to find I could stay in a fairly mindful, meditative state for much longer in the float pod. It turned out to be very soothing and relaxing. I can see how it would be a fabulous stress reliever if you are feeling overstimulated and overwhelmed by life and need some distraction-free time to reconnect with yourself. 

I made it about 80 minutes, and then I decided I was ready to leave the pod. The Wellness Center has you shower before and after, and the warm shower afterward felt amazing. As I toweled off I realized my body, which is often stiff and tight, felt like a noodle — in a good way. The staff said the Epsom salts help with this. They also recommended drinking lots of water and using rosemary essential oil which is mentally stimulating (I was using the float to foster creativity, so that was a great recommendation) and physically calming. The day after the float, I noticed my skin looked clearer and healthier, an added bonus. 

I would definitely try alpaca yoga and the float tank again. In this time period of heightened stress, anxiety, and burnout worldwide, these are two practices that can bring joy, calm and relaxation. And who doesn’t want more of that?

Want extra support in your wellness journey? I’m here to walk alongside you and explore what that change might look like, whether it be increasing your energy level and mental clarity, reducing stress, sleeping better and feeling more rested, rediscovering your career passion, or reconnecting with loved ones. Schedule a free 15-minute wellness coaching consultation here.