As a pig lover and someone who enjoys staying active, I was curious when I sawSweetAcres Pig Sanctuary in Whitchurch-Stouffville advertising Pig Yoga sessions on Facebook
There were only four sessions, and with my schedule, I felt lucky to snag a spot. After spending an evening there, I can honestly say it has been one of the highlights of my summer
The class was led by the wonderful Jackie Bauman, whose idea it was to partner with the sanctuary to create a unique experience while helping raise support for the pigs
I arrived a little early and wandered the property, where the pigs were relaxing in the shade beneath umbrellas, escaping the summer heat. The other participants slowly trickled in and we made our way to a peaceful spot beneath a shady willow tree at the back of the sanctuary, where we unrolled our yoga mats
Before we began, Jackie invited us to set an intention for the practice: compassion
It couldn’t have been more fitting. Surrounded by rescued animals, it served as a gentle reminder to extend kindness, not only to each other, but to all living creatures
Sweet Acres is owned by Kirsten Duggan, who has spent the last seven years building the sanctuary into a safe haven for pigs rescued from neglect, abuse and abandonment. Today, a dozen pigs call Sweet Acres home, each with a unique personality
One of my favourites is Cardi P. She is the sanctuary’s only fully pink pig and is equal parts sassy, curious and confident
You can sense Kirsten’s love for animals the moment you step onto the property. The sanctuary has a calming energy that’s hard to describe until you’ve experienced it yourself
We often hear about horses or dogs being used in therapy, but I think pigs deserve far more credit. They’re incredibly intelligent, affectionate and very gentle. Spending just an hour around them brought my high stress levels right down
Once everyone was settled, Kirsten led several pigs, including five-month-old Vinny, out of their enclosure and into the yoga area. She scattered their feed around our mats, explaining that their nutrient-based diet is easier on their digestion (and makes for less smelly waste)
Watching them happily trot toward us gave me all the feels. I could not contain my excitement
As we flowed through our poses beneath the willow tree, the pigs wandered among us, snuffling through the grass and munching on their dinner. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting with the sunshine filtering through the leaves, a nice breeze, and adorable pigs roaming nearby
I couldn’t stop smiling
I was surprised by how much yoga I actually accomplished in that hour. Unlike puppy yoga where the fur babies are crawling all over you, the pigs were content to just be close by. Of course, I still managed to sneak in a few selfies throughout the class
The highlight for me came during shavasana, the final resting pose. As we lay quietly on our backs, one of the pigs flopped onto its side nearby, seemingly joining us in complete relaxation
See? They’re smarter than we give them credit for
After going through many of the poses, I realized there really needs to be a pose named after pigs. Dogs, cats, cows, pigeons, eagles… surely a pig pose would round things out!
After class, Jackie served everyone a lovely cup of ginger-lemon tea, which was the perfect way to end the evening
I wanted to joke that I was “sweating like a pig” after the hour-long workout, but then I remembered something I’d recently learned: pigs don’t actually sweat
So where did that term come from?
It turns out it has nothing to do with animals at all. The phrase comes from “pig iron,” the crude iron produced during smelting. As the metal cooled, condensation formed on its surface, making it appear as though it was sweating. Wild!
Before heading home, we spent more time visiting all of the pigs back in their pens. Several happily climbed into kiddie pools filled with mud to cool off. After yoga, I was almost tempted to join them
I ended up being the last person to leave because I didn’t want the evening to end. Kirsten shared more about how Sweet Acres began with one rescued pig that eventually became 12. What started as an act of compassion has grown into an incredible labour of love, providing lifelong care for animals that deserved a second chance
Running a sanctuary isn’t easy but community support helps keep Sweet Acres going, whether through donations, merchandise purchases, attending events or booking visits
If you’re looking for a unique family outing this summer, consider booking a private visit or gathering a group of friends. You’ll leave with a new appreciation for these remarkable animals (and probably a camera roll full of pig selfies)
As for me, I’m already hoping Pig Yoga returns for more sessions
I’ll be first in line
