Puppies and yoga have recently shown up on all of our Instagram feeds, becoming one of those “bucket list” activities you see trending everywhere. Curious about the hype (but also cautious about the cost), I decided to try a class for myself.
I attended a Puppies & Yoga class at the Financial District 1 studio. Overall, it was a fun and unique experience. The class featured approximately 10 to 15 golden retriever puppies from the same litter, so there wasn’t much variation between breeds, but the cuteness factor made up for it. The session was split into two parts: 45 minutes of an all-level yoga class with puppies roaming around, followed by 30 minutes of puppy cuddling.
The staff was kind, welcoming and attentive. They gave clear safety instructions to avoid holding puppies while standing, along with hygiene guidelines such as taking a pump of hand sanitizer before playing. They also cleaned up any accidents the puppies caused, swiftly and discreetly. With over 2,000 classes hosted worldwide and more than 45,000 participants, the organizers clearly have experience running these sessions.
A few things to note: the yoga was fairly basic, so experienced individuals may find it too simple, although on the other hand it is very welcoming for beginners. (It felt like I could have done the same yoga at home because of the easy poses.) The presence of the puppies may interrupt your zen by barking or climbing on you, but I believe that’s part of the charm. Guests are encouraged to bring their own towel to use on top of the yoga mats, likely for sanitary reasons, since there is little sweating involved in this class.
My favorite part of the class was at the end of the yoga session, during our final pose, when we all lay down and the staff placed a puppy on our chests. The puppies were incredibly snuggly, relaxed and adorably sleepy, ending the class on a warm note.
The class costs $69 per person, which is expensive, especially for students. Considering it’s about a 45-minute drive from Marin to the studio, plus the cost and hassle of parking, the time and expense may outweigh the session for some. It is also not a workout in the same way as a hot yoga session would be. But as a special outing, it offers a unique and memorable experience.
