Let’s Talk About Goat Yoga! – The Free Your English Podcast – Episode One

Hello! It’s Sarah here. Welcome to episode one of the Free Your English Podcast where I help you improve your English speaking skills by discussing interesting and informative topics and then getting you to practice speaking about them. Today, we will be reading a brief article I wrote on the benefits of Goat Yoga and Laughter Yoga. Yes, you heard that right: goat yoga! After reading the article, I will ask you a few multiple-choice questions to test your comprehension before you speak aloud your own summary. Next episode we will focus on some of the vocabulary in the article. For now though, don’t worry about the words you are not sure of. Just focus on trying to understand the general meaning – the gist – of the article. Get ready to listen.   

Picture this: you’re in a yoga class, trying to find your zen, when suddenly you feel something nudge your leg. You look down to see a goat staring up at you with its beady little eyes! Or perhaps you are in a class where there are no poses only a group of people laughing at each other – for no apparent reason. Strange as it sounds, both situations are entirely possible! 

In recent years, the world has seen an increase in the popularity of activities like Goat Yoga and Laughter Yoga. Many have laughed in the face of these trends calling them nothing more than gimmicky fads, but whether they seem like it at first glance, these activities are actually incredibly valuable. 

Without doubt, to allude to Goat Yoga as just a passing trend is to ignore the real benefits that it provides. For starters, interacting with animals has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. Spending time with goats, who are known for their playful and affectionate nature, can help to reduce stress and anxiety and help people find a healthy way to stop masking their true emotions.  

Additionally, the physical aspects of Goat Yoga can provide a workout that is both fun and challenging. As participants move through different poses with a goat by their side, they must maintain balance and focus, which can lead to a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. 

Josie, owner of a large city yoga studio where her Saturday night Goat Yoga classes are always full, states she adores how happy the sessions make her clients even if the goats sometimes get in the way as she walks round the room. “If I’m going to go, falling over a cheeky goat during a Goat Yoga session isn’t so bad” she said with a chuckle. 

Like Goat Yoga, classes based on laughter therapy are also dismissed as frivolous because at first the format may seem silly. But the benefits of laughter are no joke! Laughter releases endorphins, which can provide a similar effect to the “runner’s high” experienced by athletes. It can also boost the immune system, reduce pain, and improve overall mood.  

Activities like Goat Yoga and Laughter Yoga provide a safe and supportive environment for people to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. And even if it doesn’t end up being their cup of tea, the experience can still be valuable in helping them to grow and learn. 

Of course, there are those who criticise yoga studio owners like Josie, as doing nothing more than laughing all the way to the bank by fooling gullible individuals. But mostly, those who blatantly dismiss the more unusual yoga classes don’t want to review the scientific and anecdotal proof of the benefits.  

It’s really important not to laugh off something just because it seems unconventional or unfamiliar. By dismissing activities like Goat Yoga and Laughter Yoga as gimmicks or fads, we are depriving ourselves of the opportunity to try something new and potentially life-changing. 

Okay, you have heard the article, here are some comprehension questions. I’ll read out the multiple choice questions, give you a moment to think and then will give you the answer.  

1.What two unconventional types of yoga are mentioned in the article?  
a) Goat Yoga and Cat Yoga
b) Laughter Yoga and Dog Yoga
c) Goat Yoga and Laughter Yoga
Answer: C) Goat yoga and laughter yoga 

What is the positive impact of spending time with goats according to the article?  
a) It can help people to reduce stress and anxiety  
b) It can help people to learn how to hide their emotions  
c) It can lead to a feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction 
Answer: a) It can help people to reduce stress and anxiety

What is the benefit of laughter, according to the article? 
a) It makes people satisfied with their life
b) It releases endorphins
c) It weakens the immune system and increases pain
Answer: b) It releases endorphins 

Now that you’ve heard the article and answered the comprehension questions, it’s time to practice speaking! Take a moment to summarize what the article was about in your own words. Then give your opinion as to whether you would like to try either one of the two types of yoga. 

Record yourself speaking to make sure you take the task seriously. Remember if you want to improve your English speaking then you have to speak more English! 

This article we read today is from my membership called The English Speaking Society. It’s from the March material which is focused on the topic of laughter. When you join The English Speaking Society, for only £7 a month you can get your hands on reading, writing, listening and of course speaking material that will help you uplevel your English. The link to find out more is in the show notes.  

I also just want to mention that I have a free guide that can help you discover how to find ideal online speaking partners.  You can find full details in the show notes as well.  

Be sure to subscribe to the Free Your English podcast so you can catch all the future episodes. Lastly, if you’ve found this podcast helpful, please consider leaving a wonderful review. Your feedback will help the podcast to grow and reach more learners like you who would like to improve their English speaking skills. Thank you for listening and I’ll catch you in the next episode! 

Thanks so much for listening!