What makes Ramona Schwartz with Kidding Around Asheville a good neighbor?

The pandemic changed many of us, but for Ramona Schwartz, it inspired a complete career pivot. As a home health nurse caring for patients who couldn't access ventilators during COVID's darkest days, Ramona experienced firsthand the emotional toll of the healthcare crisis. For her 50th birthday, she obtained her yoga certification – not knowing that this decision would lead to one of Asheville's most unique wellness experiences: Kidding Around Asheville, a goat yoga enterprise bringing joy, laughter, and healing to the community.

What makes goat yoga special? According to Ramona, there are fascinating elements that most people don't realize. Nigerian dwarf goats – the stars of her classes – have been domesticated longer than dogs, making them naturally attuned to human interaction. These playful creatures instinctively jump from person to person during yoga sessions, creating spontaneous moments of connection and laughter as they snuggle in participants' laps or perch on backs during downward dog poses. Ramona maintains what she calls "a good goat-to-people ratio" with eight baby goats for classes capped at 20 participants, ensuring plenty of goat interaction for everyone.

The business model is as creative as the concept itself. Ramona initially envisioned bringing goat yoga to breweries rather than limiting sessions to farms, starting at Whistle Hop in Fairview before expanding to New Origin Brewing Company. When Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina in 2023, including destroying New Origin, Ramona pivoted again – choosing to support Asheville's River Arts District by partnering with RAD Brewery, which had miraculously survived the flooding. This partnership exemplifies the resilience and community spirit that defines Asheville, with classes offering a free brewery drink ticket after the yoga session – a clever incentive that Ramona notes has been particularly successful at attracting male participants, who "love it more than the women do."

What stands out about Kidding Around Asheville is its accessibility. Ramona emphasizes that her classes feature beginner-friendly yoga focused on connecting breath to movement – "We are not trying to land a headstand," she says reassuringly. This approach creates a welcoming environment for all experience levels and ages. The simplicity of the practice, combined with the unpredictable antics of baby goats, creates an atmosphere where participants naturally let go of daily stresses and reconnect with themselves and others through shared laughter.

Beyond the physical benefits, Kidding Around Asheville represents something deeper – a collective healing experience in a post-pandemic world. "The one thing I am most proud of about this little company is the amount of laughter and joy and connection that happens during these classes," Ramona shares. In a time when digital connections often replace physical ones, these sessions offer a tangible reminder of our need for community, touch, and spontaneous joy. Through Nigerian dwarf goats, breathwork, and the backdrop of Asheville's vibrant brewery scene, participants find themselves present in the moment – exactly what traditional yoga has always aimed to achieve, just with an adorably unconventional twist.

To learn more about Kidding Around Asheville go to:

https://www.kiddingaroundasheville.com/

Kidding Around Asheville

(502) 500-5080