Hiss and Hold: Portland residents practising yoga with snakes — Here’s why

Why Portland Residents Are Willingly Facing Their Fears to Practise Yoga With Snakes (Image: Canva)

A Portland reptile shop has introduced snake yoga, blending gentle wellness sessions with carefully handled reptiles. Guided by trained staff, the classes prioritise consent, hygiene, and animal welfare. Demand has surged, with sessions selling out as participants seek a mindful, educational way to engage with snakes while learning responsible reptile care.

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A reptile shop in Portland is drawing attention after launching guided yoga sessions where calm, closely monitored snakes share the mat with human participants, blending wellness, education, and animal care in an unusual setting.

HISSS, a holistic reptile shop on Portland’s northeast side, has begun offering twice weekly snake yoga classes that have quickly sold out. The sessions involve ball pythons, carpet pythons, and other larger reptiles, selected carefully around feeding, sleeping, and stress patterns. The concept recently gained wider notice after A-Z Animals reported on the growing interest surrounding the classes.

Snake Yoga and What Is Happening

The classes began in October 2025 and are led by yoga instructor Katy Fay, working closely with HISSS owner Dru Morales. Participants arrive early to meet the reptiles, ask questions, and decide personal comfort levels before sessions begin. A visible consent token system allows handlers to understand whether a participant welcomes snake interaction or prefers distance. Staff trained in animal and human behaviour remain present throughout, ensuring safety remains the priority for everyone involved.

The yoga itself stays gentle and mindful, avoiding heat or intense movement. Morales says the approach allows people to engage slowly, sometimes helping them overcome fear or build curiosity about reptiles. The reptiles rotate every fifteen to twenty minutes, limiting stress and maintaining welfare standards.

What It Means for Animal Welfare

Only well socialised, longer bodied reptiles are included, while smaller snakes are excluded entirely. Feeding schedules are strictly managed, and reptiles are never handled immediately after meals. Hygiene practices, bioactive enclosures, and constant monitoring form part of daily shop operations. Participants are taught correct etiquette, including calm movements and proper touch techniques.

HISSS also functions as a full reptile shop and pet hotel, offering husbandry guidance, custom enclosures, and specialised care. Morales stresses yoga remains an addition rather than the shop’s main purpose.

What Comes Next

Demand has driven expansion from monthly sessions to twice weekly classes, each hosting around forty people. Future availability depends on animal welfare and staffing capacity. While snake yoga may not suit everyone, HISSS says the experience offers education, calm engagement, and a rare chance to interact respectfully with misunderstood animals.