June 18, 2025, 12:02 pm | Read time: 10 minutes
Cat Remo Doesn’t Disrupt Yoga—He’s Part of It When PETBOOK editor Louisa Stoeffler rolls out her yoga mat in the evening, her orange-and-white cat is immediately there. With a toy in his mouth, a loud meow, and plenty of fluffy presence. A firsthand account of shared rituals, cat-friendly poses, and how yoga with a cat can become the strongest connection of the day.
I’ve been practicing yoga since I was 14. For me, it was never just a sport–it was a ritual, a place of calm, a personal retreat. That’s still true today, with one small difference: I share my mat. And that’s with Remo–an orange-and-white cat with plenty of character. He doesn’t just play a supporting role; he seems to have a penchant for downward-facing humans, relaxation, and spending lots of time with me.
Flexibility vs. Fur in the Face–When the Mat Becomes a Meeting Place in the Evening
I’m an evening yogini–when the world slows down, I shake off the workday and find my flow. As soon as I roll out the mat and take a deep breath out… whoosh, there he is: Remo. Five-point-two kilograms of fluffy charm, who knows exactly when it’s time to start. Sometimes with a shoelace in his mouth, sometimes with his slobbered favorite toy wand, but always with his full attention. Then he meows loudly, as if to say, “I’m ready. Are you?”
Almost daily, Remo brings me one of his toys–even to the mat. Whether I’m in the living room, bedroom, or even the bathroom–he finds me, drops the toy in front of me, looks up, and meows in all pitches. At first, I thought he wanted to play. But as soon as I pick up the toy, his interest in it vanishes. Instead, he purrs on the mat and blinks at me.
A feline behavior biologist told me: Remo wants to do something nice for me. He provides for me–like a mother cat for her kitten. Since then, I always accept his gift, thank him, and blink back at him. It’s now our ritual before yoga. You can read more about this topic here: Why Does My Cat Keep Bringing Me Toys Even Though It Doesn’t Want to Play?
Why Cats Find Our Yoga Mats So Appealing
I would claim I’m quite flexible–I can easily touch the ground with flat palms in a forward fold, lean my upper body forward in a cross-legged position, and love complex flows where energy–and sweat–just flow. Remo, on the other hand, loves lying on the mat. Or positioning himself directly under me when I try to do a Chaturanga. Joy and obstacle in the form of fluff.
Cats are true Zen masters. They live in the moment, sleep 16 hours a day, and move with a mindfulness we could learn from. When people do yoga–slowly, quietly, on the floor–it’s like an invitation for cats to get close. Suddenly, you’re at their level, breathing calmly, moving deliberately. You feel different–and they sense it. Apparently, not only do I associate good things with my mat, but so does my cat.
But it’s not just the mat that Remo finds great. Our sessions wouldn’t be complete without the daily battle over the yoga blocks. When I’m not using them, Remo sneaks up and bats them across the room with his paw. Recently, he even tried to use one of the blocks as a scratching post. Only to later sit on it and watch me from his elevated position with half-closed eyes.
More Reasons Why Cats Are Fascinated by Yoga
There are several possible explanations for why cats find yoga–and our mats–exciting. For example, during yoga–even though some purists still dismiss it as “just a bit of stretching”–a lot of sweat flows. And it collects mainly in the spots where we frequently press our hands and feet into the mat. Over time, this creates a scent profile that is highly fascinating to the cat, as it smells intensely of their favorite human. Why cats like to lie on our mat is as quickly explained as their tendency to steal our seats–namely: warmth, smell, texture, interest, and above all, habit.
Another explanation is that our house cats are particularly drawn to the calm brought about by specific breathing techniques in yoga. Because you breathe deeply, preferably through the nose, and come to rest. Remo senses that I relax in these moments and wants to be part of it. Sometimes, as if he knows better than I do when the Vinyasas are over and I slowly let the flow fade out, he joins in and wants to “meditate” to end the session with me.
Yoga is more than movement–it’s presence. And animals feel that. Especially cats react extremely sensitively to the body language, mood, and energy of their humans. If you practice yoga regularly (keyword: routines that cats love), you become calmer, breathe and move more consciously–and that’s exactly what makes a person at peace with themselves a real magnet for many cats. The animals love to decide for themselves when closeness occurs. Yoga respects that–through patience, gentle movements, and complete presence.
Trust on the Mat–How Yoga Strengthens the Bond with Your Cat
So if you don’t see your yoga time just for yourself, but also as an opportunity to spend time with your pet consciously, a silent form of communication develops: through body language, eye contact, and shared calm. You can use your sport very well to strengthen the bond with your pet.
Remo is anything but a silent companion–he is the self-proclaimed star of this routine. As soon as I roll out the mat, he saunters over, often with that “Finally, you’ve understood what this is really about” look. For him, it’s not a sport–it’s entertainment. And: deluxe cuddle time.
Maybe it’s really the recurring nature of these exercises. Or perhaps it’s this silent invitation: “Something is happening here that feels good and where my human finds peace.” When I hold a pose–especially in Savasana or Child’s Pose, where I actually want to fully arrive in Zen–Remo is often there as a matter of course. He snuggles up to me, rubs his head against my arm, or nudges my toes with his nose. It’s his way of saying: “I’m here. And I feel safe.”
Cat Interrupting Yoga? Here’s What You Can Do
Personally, I find it great when Remo is so actively involved and would never prevent him from making himself comfortable in my “home gym.” However, not everyone sees it that way–and some poses are even unsuitable for a yoga session near the cat because you might lose your balance. These include one-legged poses like Warrior III, Tree Pose, or Flamingo, which could end badly. Especially if the cat likes to lie exactly where the foot is supposed to go. I almost kicked Remo once in a one-legged stand. Since then, I check the ground before every step: clear or fluffy?
You can, of course, also send the cat out of the room and close the door when you’re doing yoga. If you combine this with a game beforehand, a lick mat, or a filled puzzle feeder, even better. Then the animal learns: I’m not supposed to be here right now, but I’m having a good time anyway.
However, I’ve noticed that Remo is particularly drawn to my “pure” yoga exercises. If I do Pilates, toning, mobility, or cardio on my mat, he stays away. Or he positions himself on the bed and watches me jump around for a while before curling up to nap and waiting for his big moment during yoga. So you can also do various other exercises at home with a cat.
There are actually yogis who use their cat as additional weight–preferably in boat or bridge poses. But you’d need a much more relaxed animal than I have. Even though it’s sometimes tempting to use the purring roommate as weight–you should always pay attention to their well-being. Remo shows me very clearly when he’s not in the mood for something. So you should never work with force here.
Namaste with Cat–These Yoga Poses Work Even with a Fluffy Obstacle
There are some poses you can do well with a cat on the mat–and that Remo actually finds quite great. You can put together a cat-friendly flow, which, however, has a lower difficulty level.
- Cat-Cow (Bitilasana Marjaryasana)
Of course, a classic for back stretches. In this tabletop position, Remo likes to lie directly under me on the mat. - Pigeon and Half-Pigeon (Kapotasana)
Remo finds the hip opening fascinating–probably because my face is so nicely close to his. - Corpse Pose (Savasana)
For me, relaxation and the end of the flow. For Remo, the official invitation to sniff me all over and disturb my Zen. - Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
From Remo’s perspective, clearly a misunderstanding. Why position yourself like a dog when you’re a cat? In this pose, he often walks under me once more but then regularly leaves the mat. But maybe also because he knows that from here, I go into more strenuous poses, for which I need space. - Child’s Pose (Balasana)
Perfect for cuddle moments. You’re small and low to the ground–ideal if the cat wants to cuddle or chooses your back as a lookout platform. - Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)
Works well if Remo lies next to me or snuggles up to my feet. The hands remain free for a bit of belly rub–we call that active relaxation. - Cobra and Sphinx (Bhujangasana)
A backbend where you feel the ground beneath you–and the cat naturally lies in a similar position next to you. - Bridge (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) or Reverse Table Top (Ardha Purvottanasana)
If Remo is in the right mood, he crawls under my back like through a tunnel. Sometimes he even lies right there–good for me, bad for my abs. - Happy Baby (Ananda Balasana)
You lie on your back, pull your feet in–especially if you do “Happy Baby” one-sided, you can simultaneously pet the cat with the other hand. Cheers to multifunctional relaxation! - Butterfly (Baddha Konasana)
Here, Remo can comfortably lie on my feet. This pose is calm, close to the ground–so it’s safe, even if a tail is in the way. - Big Toe Pose (Supta Padangusthasana)
Works surprisingly well with a cat on the belly–as if she’s saying, “Show me how strong your core really is.”
Why Does My Cat Follow Me to the Toilet?
8 reasons why cats arch their backs
Living with a 20-Year-Old Dog: “I Even Take Him into the Bathroom”
Tip at the End–Make Room for Two
At some point, it became clear: This mat is no longer just mine. So I treated myself to an XL yoga mat. Since then, we’ve both had enough space–me for my flows, Remo for his extensive stretching and cuddling poses. Yoga with a cat is an adventure, a bit of chaos, and a lot of heart. Remo has shown me that mindfulness can also mean giving someone else space–and still staying with yourself. And sometimes that’s the true path to inner balance.
Yoga can become a shared language between humans and cats–without words. It’s not about whether the cat participates, but that she’s there. And that we share the moment. That might be the most beautiful aspect of yoga with a pet: the connection to a small being that, with its own rules, sounds, and movements, has long become part of my ritual.
About the Author
Louisa Stoeffler has been keeping cats since 2003 and has been working as a freelance cat sitter since 2016. She knows the subtle nuances in animal behavior from practice. In addition to care, she also advises owners on all “furry” questions about cat behavior. As a specialist editor, she has been writing well-researched articles for PETBOOK since 2022 on cat care, wildlife, animal protection legislation, and natural history studies. She is particularly passionate about those animals and topics that often remain in the shadows of public attention–such as mollusks, for which she has developed a special interest. Her goal: to make complex connections understandable, strengthen animal protection, and raise awareness among readers about the diversity of the animal world.