Yoga with Highland Cows at newbeginningsfarms in Rutherfordton NC

Wake before noon and step onto soft grass at newbeginningsfarms in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, where yoga mats align beside a herd of low-slung, shaggy Highland cows. Yoga with Highland Cows is a 1.5-hour blend of farm tour and gentle instruction led by Sheri Crenshaw, a Yoga Alliance–certified 200-hour teacher. The experience begins inside the farmhouse with a short orientation, then moves out to a pasture ringed by wooden fencing and the weathered barn, where broad views of the western North Carolina foothills frame the practice.

The morning tour introduces you to the stars of the show: Highland cattle, a hardy Scottish breed recognizable by long hair and curved horns. Their calm presence breaks the usual silence of a studio, and their slow, steady grazing gives the class a conversational, low-pressure rhythm. During the session Sheri cues accessible sequences—breathwork, standing balance, and floor stretches—tailored for ages 12 and up and for all experience levels. Participants often find the animal encounter both grounding and unexpectedly uplifting: a cow at the edge of your mat is an excellent reminder to soften into the present moment.

This session is as much about place as practice. The setting is a working farm: you'll pass the farmhouse, a tool-scarred barn, and green pasture dotted with native grasses and songbirds. The mix of agricultural life and mindful movement creates a tangible link to local rural culture and small-scale farming. For photographers and quiet observers the light through the cows’ hair at golden hour is striking, and the farmhouse porch provides a simple place to linger after class.

Practical notes: the experience accepts up to 30 people and runs about 1.5 hours; check-in begins at the farmhouse. Bring a mat, water, and a light layer—the pasture can be breezy. The class works in most weather, but heavy rain may prompt rescheduling. New visitors should come ready to move slowly and be comfortable around livestock; handlers on site will guide interactions.

Small-group energy keeps the class intimate even at the thirty-person cap; teachers offer modifications for knees, hips, and beginners, while more practiced students get options to deepen poses. After class, there’s time to ask about the herd’s care, learn why Highland cattle suit rugged pastures, and stroll the perimeter to watch calves or spot white-tailed deer in nearby hedgerows. It’s an educational, low-impact visit that supports local agriculture and leaves little trace on the land and community.