Cat Yoga

This summer I told you about Goat Yoga, maybe you tried it or maybe you decided a goat peeing and pooping on your mat was not your thing and who could blame you? “If only they’d do cat yoga,” you say. Cats know how to do their business in private designated areas and aren’t likely to lift a leg in your downward dog and mistake you for a fire hydrant. Not to worry my friends, Mac Tabby Cat Café is here. Yes, you read that right. A café with cats and yoga.

My daughter Audrey loves cats, the only problem is my husband and I are both allergic. There will be no sweet, purring, cuddly feline living in our home. It is a soul crushing reality for our little kindergartner.

Enter Mac Tabby Cat Café . I booked online, took an allergy pill and spent an hour petting cats, doing yoga and watching my daughter frolic about in unbridled joy. It was the perfect way to spend a chilly Saturday morning.

Lori Konawalik is the proprietor of this seemingly quirky, but oh sooo chic establishment. Located off of North Davidson in a hip artisan community known as Area 15. The Optimist Park Art Collective is home to painters, tattoo artists, a bike recyclery, dancers, chefs, hair stylists and a cat café. You will immediately recognize the building by it’s wildly beautiful murals painted on the side of North Davidson street.

Mac Tabby is short for Mackerel Tabby the breed of the first cat (baby) Lori and her husband Nick adopted in 2001. The café is divided into two separate spaces, the Café and the Cat Lounge per North Carolina law. Both spaces, ooze loft design envy with bold pops of color and modern cozy furniture. Stunning local artwork cover the walls and are available for purchase. The cats are a collaboration with Catering to Cats and Dogs, a non-profit organization that seeks home for animals. All of the cats are available for adoption.

Kids Cat Yoga is offered the last Saturday of each month from 10:30-11:30AM. Ages 5+. The first 30 minutes will include storytime, stretching and breathing while being nuzzled by cats. The second 30 minutes is playtime for both the kids and the cats. Kids (0-6 yrs) are welcome to visit the cats for 30 minutes without doing yoga, on two other Saturday mornings of the month. This is a designated time specifically for younger children.

For grown ups, there are regular cat lounge reservations. Cat yoga is offered on Monday nights, a painting class on Thursday and live music is offered on Friday nights. The Café has coffee from Pure Intentions and kombucha from Lenny Boy Brewing Company. Wine and local brews will be added to the menu soon.

Whether your feline-crazed or just looking to score points with a loved one who is, Mac Tabby Cat Café is a wildly cool place to hang out and pet some cats.