Workout therapy, with a furry boost
Kitten Pilates blends conditioning and cute to make a floor workout like no other.
Like pouring a shot of vitamins into your cold-pressed green drink or sprinkling crumbled Oreos on a dish of ice cream, adding kittens is the best-ever boost to add to a floor workout. The Little Lion Foundation, a nonprofit cat-rescue and -health organization, recently began a kitty-infused wellness program that boosts the mood like nothing else. It’s called Kitten Play Therapy & Wellness, and it features those free-roaming kittens — anywhere from 12 to 15 of them, and they’re all adoptable!
“Playing with kittens during wellness activities releases the feel-good hormones, serotonin and oxytocin, promoting happiness and relaxation,” said Michelle Cortado, Little Lion’s events and fundraising coordinator. I’ll buy that because even though I was taking photos and couldn’t do the exercises, I smiled a lot. The participants didn’t stop smiling at all.
Plastic balls, cloth mice, wand toys and other playthings were strewn everywhere on and off the mats. Instructor Luna kept it all together amidst coos of “Ooooh, the babies!” and giggles as kittens threaded themselves among arms, legs and dangling hair.
“It was amazing, honestly — it gave me a boost!” participant Amanda Fuentes said. “I’m a little more comfortable in this environment with the kittens here, especially since this is my first time attending a yoga class at all.”
Fuentes said she’ll be back because she loves cats. She’s trying to convince her boyfriend to let her adopt another one.
Kitten Play Therapy and Wellness is in its third year, with Kitten Pilates the latest addition. Each session includes 45 minutes of kitten cuddle time and one of three 40-minute workout sessions: Pilates, yoga and sound bath.
“It just naturally came together as a feel-good series of events that The Little Lion Foundation kitten nursery is uniquely suited to host,” Cortado said. “I wanted to call these ‘kitten wellness events,’ but I didn't want them to get confused with events that serve healthcare for kittens. These events serve the community, pet lovers, exercise lovers and people looking to support cat rescue.”
Level Up Dance Studio in Signal Hill hosts Kitten Play Therapy and Wellness. The studio’s owner, a former volunteer and longtime Little Lion supporter, had reached out to partner with the organization for kitten-focused events, Cortado said. Level Up also partners with the recently established rabbit rescue, Sunshine Rabbit Center in Bixby Knolls, for Bunny Yoga.
Tickets to Kitten Play Therapy & Wellness and all Little Lion events are available here. The Play Therapy events fill up fast, so book your appointment soon. It’s good for your physical and mental health. As the cats rub up against you, maybe some of their own calm, cavalier attitudes will as well.
YOURS DROOLY
If you were playing Where’s Waldo? in the video trying to pick out a kitten you want to adopt and take home, and of course you do, click this link to find every cat in Little Lion foster homes and match them up to what caught your eye. Then, fill out the online adoption form. How much easier can it get? You can brag to your friends that you have a video influencer in residence.
Here are three little stars of the show who’d love to be your personal workout buddies. Each is only 3 months old and ready for a full life in a forever home. Read what the Little Lion volunteers say about them.
True to her name, Sandwich is the perfect “comfort food” for the soul. She is an incredibly easygoing companion who moves through life with a calm, grounded energy. Sandwich is a total cuddle bug who loves nothing more than being scooped up and held in your arms just like a baby. She’s a social butterfly who gets along famously with other cats, bringing a fun, playful spirit to the group without ever losing her relaxed vibe.
Moolinda is a confident little girl with main-character energy. She’s curious, adventurous and always on the move, whether she’s climbing up to perch on your shoulder or exploring every corner of the room. But don’t let her bold side fool you! She’s also a total cuddle bug who loves being close to her person. She’ll happily follow you around like the tiny, loyal sidekick that she is.
Half Baked is just that — a little bit chaos and a little bit adventure, but all love. He goes crazy for wand toys, pipe cleaners, cuddles and smooches on his face. He loves to play with the resident kittens and gives a respectful distance to the crankier senior resident cats. Half Baked is an all-around happy, well-adjusted, loving kitten!
TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS
Little Lion Foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration
The Little Lion Foundation is celebrating a full decade of compassion, dedication and second chances at Little Lion Foundation, and you’re invited! Join the nonprofit for a special behind-the-scenes tour of their facility, where you’ll get to:
- Visit the kitten nursery and see where their tiniest fighters get their start;
- Step inside the surgical suite and learn how they provide critical care;
- Meet the incredible volunteers and staff during a live Q&A;
- Hear the stories behind the programs and the impact they’ve made over the years.
From rescue to recovery to adoption, this work is only possible because of this amazing community. Come celebrate how far they’ve come, and help them keep saving lives!
The Little Lion Foundation’s 10th anniversary celebration takes place Saturday, May 30, 4 p.m.–7 p.m. at their clinic at 1175 E Wardlow Rd., Long Beach.
Rex-ceptional Day of Pets
The day’s almost here! Find out who’s won the title of Long Beach’s Favorite Pet in each of three categories: dogs, cats and everything else! Partners of Parks is unleashing a couple of hours of fun and celebration of our best buddies at the Recreation Park Bandshell. Your pet is welcome, too (they must be leashed, of course, or enclosed in a carrier). A community resource fair will have resources that you may need, a sampling station from event sponsor Redbarn Pet Products will have goodies for your furry buddy, and guests will show up, including Long Beach’s very own mayor, Rex Richardson! What, no pet? LBACS will bring some for you to adopt! The event is free, so come down and cheer for the winners!
The Rex-ceptional Day of Pets takes place Saturday, May 30, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Recreation Park Bandshell, 701-939 Federation Dr., Long Beach, across from Wilson High School. You can still cast your vote here; your vote counts as a tax-deductible gift to Long Beach Animal Care Services.
Pet Loss and Illness Support Group
The worst day in the life you share with a pet is the day you have to say goodbye forever. Grief is personal on the one hand, and on the other hand, you have a lot of company who get what you’re going through. Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescue gets it, too, and offers a space for anyone who also gets it, who’ll never say to you, “But it was just a cat.” Or a dog, or a rabbit, or a horse, or a goldfish. The members of this group will listen, connect, and support you, and you’ll do the same for them.
The Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m. at the Bay Shore Church, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting, but let the leads know that you’re coming here.
Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.
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