Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue provides a chance to 'Swine and Unwind'

Everyone at a Saturday yoga fundraiser in Frazer agreed their favorite position was downward-facing hog.

The exercise event, hosted by the nonprofit Pigsburgh Squealers Rescue at its 25-acre farm, featured sweet-natured sows and well-behaved boars that ambled among the participants.

Dubbed “Swine and Unwind,” proceeds help feed the 11 resident pigs and countless fosters that make their home on the wooded property.

“Oh, I love it,” said Abigail Kallmyer of Pittsburgh. “This is a great time.”

The sanctuary, founded in 2018 by Blue Martin and Zack Robinson, hosts four yogas a year — selling out each time.

There also are weekly tours, a crock pot cook-off and an annual “pig-nic” at Voodoo Brewing Co. in New Kensington.

“I rescued my first pig, Sasquatch, in 2013, and I kind of became known as the pig lady,” said Martin, a South Hills native. “Before you knew it, I started hearing about others that were abandoned or abused, and I would get them fixed and adopt them out.”

A biomedical engineer by day, Martin’s efforts began at a small property in Butler before she found a foreclosed property on Lampus Lane in Frazer. Since buying the dream parcel, more than 270 pigs have been rescued and rehomed.

Many have made a permanent home there.

A warthog named Khodu sleeps on a couch in the basement. Maui, a mid-sized Kunekune, is harness-trained for car rides.

On Saturday, they vied for attention from the yogis, who stretched and swayed in the fenced front yard.

“They’re bigger than I thought they would be,” said Sarah Hooper, 22, who couldn’t resist petting Mamba, a red river hog that was a bit mischievous — scooting through the crowd and attempting to chew on a few mats.

The scene-stealer was the 600-pound Ping, “a big, loveable dude who sounds like a diesel engine” but spent the hour waddling between people willing to pet him.

Jessica Czernics and Jordan Coennen, of Pittsburgh, both said the animals provided added peace to the already tranquil activity.

“I think it’s fun to watch them interacting,” Czernics said.

Volunteer Courtlynd Forsythe said the pig sanctuary has provided her purpose since her dog died earlier this year.

“I didn’t know too much about pigs but I’m really learning that the stigma isn’t true,” said Forsythe as she sprinkled Cheerios throughout the yard.

“Pigs are really so smart and they’re not filthy like everyone thinks.”

Ken Palmer, 33, an avid practitioner of yoga, found the event through social media and said it didn’t disappoint.

“It’s definitely a different experience,” he said. “It’s more fun than usual yoga.”