For some people, yoga is all about finding inner peace. But at a farm east of Saskatoon, it’s also about keeping up with a few fluffy distractions. Forget downward dog or even goat yoga because bunny yoga is packing classes at Wander’s Tiny Farm. “As you watch their little noses wiggle and their ears, there is a joy that rises up from within you because they are so cute,” instructor Alecia Iwanchuk, founder of Intentions Yoga, told CTV News. For Iwanchuk, the bunnies add a special type of Zen to the experience. “A lot of people aren’t coming to bunny yoga to get the regular Zen yoga experience, but it is getting them in their body and it is bringing joy into their lives,” she said. There are a few repeat customers, but many people are hopping into their first-ever bunny yoga class. “Just thought it would be a fun summer thing to do. Beautiful evening. I love animals. Why not?” customer Janice Sawyer said. Another participant, Danya Muso, said they don’t normally do yoga, but had already taken two bunny yoga classes in the same week. “I don’t do any yoga. This is the second time I did it this week. Just because it’s such a great experience,” she said. For many, the experience is worth the half-hour drive east of Saskatoon. “Bunny yoga sounds incredible. I took my husband on a date night, so we’re just doing some exercise,” Nicole Joyce said. The idea came from Wander Sturris, owner of Wander’s Tiny Farm, who started the interactive petting farm five years ago with the goal of giving visitors an educational experience. “I happened to see somebody posting a picture of herself doing yoga, like a yoga pose here on the farm on a big tire. And we started chatting and yeah, we decided to start doing bunny yoga,” Sturris said. The classes are now in their third season, drawing visitors from across Saskatchewan. And while bunnies can bite, Sturris said he hasn’t had any major issues so far. He does, however, have one concern. “I’m mostly concerned about my bunnies going after very expensive Lululemon yoga mats,” he joked. Sturris moved to Saskatchewan from the Netherlands 11 years ago with a dream of running a farm. Today, hundreds of people visit the property each year. For those visiting the farm for bunny yoga, the class offers a little workout, while the bunnies are simply doing what they do best - creating some hoppy vibes.
