Experience the heartwarming story of our beloved “Cats on Mats” yoga fundraiser, a unique event that brought together the healing power of yoga with the joy of feline companionship to support Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. (Citizens Altering The Strays), a registered non-profit cat rescue organization in Ocean City. This special event, featured in NJ.com, captured the hearts of animal lovers and yoga practitioners alike, creating an unforgettable experience that combined mindful movement with meaningful community service.
The concept for Cats on Mats emerged from our understanding that both yoga and animal companionship offer profound therapeutic benefits, and we wondered what magic might happen when these two healing modalities were combined. The result was an event that exceeded all expectations, bringing together approximately 30 participants of all ages for a yoga class unlike any other, where 11 adorable, adoptable kittens served as the most delightful yoga assistants anyone could imagine.
Our instructor Colin Murphy, who led the inaugural Cats on Mats class, described the experience as transformative in ways he never anticipated. As NJ.com reported, Murphy found himself bursting into laughter barely a minute into the class as the kittens began their own version of yoga practice, crawling over participants, weaving through legs, and climbing onto backs with the fearless curiosity that makes kittens such perfect teachers of presence and joy.
The kittens, ranging in age from eight to twelve weeks, had been rescued by Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. and were all healthy, vaccinated, and ready for adoption. Their presence during the yoga class created an atmosphere of pure delight and spontaneous laughter that reminded everyone present of yoga’s deeper purpose: to connect us with joy, presence, and the simple pleasure of being alive in our bodies.
What made Cats on Mats particularly special was how the kittens naturally embodied many of the qualities that yoga seeks to cultivate. Their complete presence in each moment, their fearless exploration of new experiences, their ability to find comfort and rest wherever they were, and their natural playfulness served as living demonstrations of the mindfulness and joy that yoga practice aims to develop.
The yoga sequence for Cats on Mats was carefully adapted to accommodate our feline participants, with no downward-facing dog poses (for obvious reasons) and plenty of floor-based postures that allowed for maximum kitten interaction. Participants found themselves practicing around sleeping kittens, gently moving tiny paws that had found their way onto yoga mats, and discovering that the presence of these small beings actually enhanced their ability to stay present and find joy in their practice.
Laura Narcum, a participant from Exton, Pennsylvania, exemplified the spirit of adaptability that the event encouraged when two kittens decided to take a nap directly on her yoga mat early in the class. Rather than disturbing their peaceful slumber, she simply worked around them, smiling throughout her practice as she navigated poses while serving as a human cat bed. Her graceful acceptance of this unexpected challenge demonstrated the flexibility and acceptance that yoga teaches us to bring to all of life’s surprises.
The fundraising aspect of Cats on Mats was equally important as the joy it created, with all proceeds supporting Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. in their vital work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray and abandoned cats throughout Cape May County. Each year, this dedicated organization helps save hundreds of feline lives, providing medical care, spay and neuter services, and loving foster care while working to find permanent homes for cats in need.
The success of our first Cats on Mats event led to it becoming an annual tradition, with each iteration bringing new kittens, new participants, and new stories of connection between humans and animals. The event consistently sold out, with yoga practitioners traveling from throughout South Jersey and beyond to experience this unique combination of mindful movement and animal therapy.
The therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted activities are well-documented, and Cats on Mats provided a perfect example of how interaction with animals can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Combined with the physical and mental benefits of yoga practice, the event created a powerful wellness experience that addressed multiple aspects of human health and happiness.
Photography from Cats on Mats events consistently captured moments of pure joy and connection, with images of participants practicing yoga while kittens explored, played, and napped around them. These photos became some of our most shared social media content, spreading awareness of both our yoga community and the important work of Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S. to audiences far beyond Ocean City.
The educational component of Cats on Mats included information about responsible pet ownership, the importance of spaying and neutering, and the ongoing need for foster families and volunteers in animal rescue work. Many participants left the event not only feeling relaxed and joyful from their yoga practice but also better informed about how they could support animal welfare in their own communities.
The adoption success rate from Cats on Mats events was remarkably high, with many of the kitten participants finding their forever homes with yoga practitioners who fell in love during the class. These adoptions created lasting connections between our yoga community and Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S., with many adopters becoming ongoing supporters and volunteers for the organization.
The inclusive nature of Cats on Mats made it accessible to people who might not typically attend yoga classes, including children, seniors, and those who were curious about yoga but intimidated by traditional class formats. The presence of the kittens created a relaxed, playful atmosphere that removed performance pressure and allowed everyone to simply enjoy the experience of movement and connection.
Instructor training for Cats on Mats required special preparation in both animal handling and adaptive teaching techniques. Our teachers learned to maintain class flow while accommodating the unpredictable movements of kitten participants, to provide clear instruction while allowing for spontaneous laughter and interaction, and to create safe spaces for both human and feline participants throughout the experience.
The community building aspect of Cats on Mats extended far beyond the yoga class itself, with participants often staying after the formal session to continue playing with kittens, sharing stories about their own pets, and connecting with fellow animal lovers. These organic social connections strengthened our yoga community while building support networks for animal welfare advocacy.
The media attention that Cats on Mats received, including the feature article in NJ.com, helped raise awareness about both the therapeutic benefits of yoga and the ongoing need for animal rescue support. This coverage brought new visitors to our studio and new supporters to Cape-Atlantic C.A.T.S., demonstrating the power of creative fundraising to amplify important messages.
The seasonal timing of Cats on Mats events was carefully planned to coincide with peak kitten season, when rescue organizations are typically overwhelmed with young cats needing homes. By hosting these events during times of greatest need, we were able to provide maximum impact for both fundraising and adoption efforts.
The legacy of Cats on Mats continues to influence our approach to community engagement and charitable giving, demonstrating how creative, joyful events can effectively support serious causes while bringing people together in meaningful ways. The event showed us that fundraising doesn’t have to be somber or guilt-inducing; it can be celebratory, fun, and deeply connecting.
Feedback from Cats on Mats participants consistently highlighted the unique combination of relaxation, joy, and purpose that the event provided. Many described it as one of their most memorable yoga experiences, not because of challenging poses or intense physical practice, but because of the pure happiness and connection that emerged from sharing space with both human and feline companions.
For those interested in learning more about our community service initiatives and our approach to using yoga as a platform for positive social impact, we invite you to explore our About page and discover how our mission extends beyond individual wellness to include community support and animal welfare. You can also read about our other charitable efforts, including our support for sexual violence survivors and our environmental initiatives.
We remain deeply grateful to NJ.com for their wonderful coverage of our Cats on Mats event, which helped spread awareness of this unique fundraising approach and inspired other yoga studios to create their own animal-assisted charity events. Their article captured the joy and purpose of the event perfectly, helping to establish Cats on Mats as a model for creative, effective fundraising in the yoga community.
Legacy Archive Notice: This page preserves the heartwarming story of our Cats on Mats fundraiser events for historical reference and maintains links from news outlets that covered these unique charity yoga classes. While specific events may no longer be regularly scheduled, this content reflects our ongoing commitment to using yoga as a platform for community service and animal welfare support. Golden Buddha Yoga continues to evolve, and we encourage visitors to explore our current offerings and charitable initiatives through our main website.