That’s what happened Sunday morning at Canine Communications in downtown Alpena. Five kittens scurried around the room as a group of women participated in a yoga session led by Punky Simpson.

The session helped raise funds to send Team Skellafit Powerlifting to the World Championships in South Africa, with participants giving a suggested donation of $20 to $30.

Only the top three lifters in the U.S. in each category are invited to the world competition, and seven of SkellaFit’s lifters received that invitation.

Simpson first told the group to focus on their breathing.

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg A woman pets a kitten as it lays on top of her on Sunday during a yoga fundraiser at Canine Communications in Alpena.

“Yoga is a mindful practice,” she said. “It’s a gentle way to move your body.”

The kittens didn’t get the message — they continued to play with each other and their toys and climb on participants. The women laughed and smiled as they observed the kittens during the session.

Simpson was a picture of peace as she allowed the kittens to climb on her, only once in a while addressing them without breaking her flow.

While participants were posing on their hands and knees, kittens were placed on their backs, to the delight of both the participants and the kittens. Throughout the allotted time, the kittens weaved in between and around the women as they moved through yoga poses.

Some of the kittens are up for adoption.

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg A kitten jumps off a block under a participant on Sunday at Canine Communications in Alpena.

“Let’s send good mojo and good energy that they find a home,” Simpson said as the session neared its end. “Kittens feel soft when the world feels hard … May the lightness we feel ripple out.”

“Thank you for your kindness and support for sending these strong ladies off to South Africa,” Simpson said.

Both kittens and yogis left happier than they came in.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg A kitten sits on a participant’s back on Sunday at Canine Communications in Alpena.

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Punky Simpson leads a kitten yoga session on Sunday at Canine Communications in Alpena.