An unconventional wellness activity brought students and faculty together last week during the Recreation and Wellness Center’s Fit Fest, an event that blended yoga and physical exercise with playful goat interactions.

Starting at 4 p.m., the event took place outside the Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC) and had several participants join a guided beginner-friendly yoga session inside a wire-fenced area designed to safely contain the free-roaming goats.

Caretakers from Goats on the Bayou Farm in Alvin, Texas remained present throughout, ensuring both participant safety and proper handling of the animals, as many students did focus more on the goats than the yoga itself.

Fit Fest aimed to promote wellness while creating an inclusive, low-pressure environment for students.

“You do not have to be a gym rat or sports person to have fun at the rec,” said event coordinator and Assistant Director of the RWC, Mary Shelley. “We want to show students that recreation is for everyone.”

A student attendee noted that Fit Fest felt entirely new to the campus, reflecting a broader sense of excitement among participants.

“Yes, this was the first ever Fit Fest event,” responded Shelley. “We wanted to bring a new event to campus, something to engage more students in. Goat yoga is something different, something this campus has never seen.”

The activity quickly stood out among the campus’ normal offerings. “Some yoga was done, but the goats were the star of the show,” Shelley said. “The idea is to get students active, and this was a creative way to do so.”

With strong turnout and positive feedback, the event organizers are already looking ahead to future programming, including the return of the goats.

For more information on the RWC and what it has to offer, you can visit their website.