Early Morning Stretching with My Cat: Blue the Yogi

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

I’ve never taken Blue for the active feline type. She’s more of the "let's nap and party when it's time to eat" kind of gal. I now realize that maybe I didn’t give her enough variety or new activities to try. We needed to find her niche. Cat toys might not be her thing, but recently, she and I bonded over early morning yoga. Less catchy-catchy, more stretchy-stretchy, and it has worked out reasonably well for both of us.

Being the first one up every morning, Blue is ready to take on the day after her breakfast. Naturally, she tags along wherever I go. Our invisible tether keeps her close as I sneak away for a morning stretch. When I first began this routine, she would ignore my floor mat and gravitate to her cat bed to watch from a distance. It was a pleasant agreement we had. She’d do her business and I’d take care of my own. Casual, yet supportive.

A Mat Made For Two

We’ve now graduated to a hostile takeover. Immediately after I roll out my mat, she insists on finding the most invasive and in-your-face spot to lounge. Not for long, though. She moves as I move. If head butting and body rolling across my arms, legs, and back were a sport, Blue would likely have an Olympic gold medal. I recently watched this video of a giant cat, breed unknown, full-on play-attacking its owner while she was attempting to work out. Blue’s not quite that extreme, thankfully. She prefers a healthy amount of love and reclaiming my mat as her own over sneaking up and hopping on my back. The interruption is short-lived as long as she receives what she asks—some friendly banter and chin rubs. We partake in the pleasantries, and then off to the side she goes, remaining close but far enough I don’t need to contort around her.

She adds to the ambiance of my dark basement studio by meowing, which is graciously followed by satiated purrs. The demands that come with having a cat are so interesting. Considering the calm in our house at that time of day, I understand why she would want to capitalize on some true one-to-one time. Although we spend the entire day together, work pulls my attention, so our unplugged time is sparse. Moments like this are rare, or were rare, so this has become a cool hour for her and I to spend some quality time together. Blue also seems to be rather intuitive. After observing for a few mornings, she saw an opening and acted on it. She’s a pretty smart cookie if you ask me, and silliness aside, there are no complaints from my end, either.

Cat Pose

I don’t expect that Blue will master downward dog, happy baby, or cobra anytime soon, but what I can say for sure is that she is the pinnacle of perfection when it comes to cat pose. It’s humbling, really. The motivation to get up and at it feels a little easier with my buddy at my side, and I hope she plans to join me for many mornings to come. The door to my zen room will forever be open.

Namaste, Blue, my little Yogi. See you at sunrise.