Piggy Pilates at Pennywell

Join us at Pennywell Farm for Piggy Pilates, something a little different when it comes to working out with animals.

With Goat Yoga having made its way across the pond several years ago, exercising with animals has become a bit of a thing. Not to be left behind, Pennywell launched Piggy Pilates to the world in May.

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Piggy Pilates at Pennywell Farm

Combining the best of a stunning farm location, animals and exercise the classes are already attracting a lot of interest. With Pennywell miniature pigs joining in, what’s not to love?

Pilates teacher, Harry Parkes leads the sessions which are followed by breakfast and the promise of piggy cuddles.

Harry explains that while there is plenty of fun to be had, Pilates has many benefits including improving posture, movement quality, mobility, flexibility, mental cognition and core strength.

Harry with one of the Pennywell miniature pigs

The benefits of interaction with animals of any kind are widely known and touching animals releases many hormones such as phenyl ethylamine, the magic hormone which has the same pleasurable effect on the brain as chocolate.

Pennywell’s owner Chris Murray says, “Exercise is an important part of life so should never be boring. You can have a real giggle and still have a good workout.

“Everyone should exercise with a smile on their face and with miniature pigs running around, it’s impossible not to smile.”

Pilates was invented by German – born Joseph Pilates who believed that mental and physical health were closely connected. He designed his exercises to make the maximum use of your time by targeting the deep postural muscles of the body, building strength from the inside out and rebalancing your muscles.