Stressed about AP exams and finals? Is “senioritis” kicking in? Do you just need a little break or something fun to do? The newest (and cutest) innovation to wellness and relaxation is here.
Puppy yoga combines the meditation and body control of traditional yoga and playtime with energetic eight-week-old puppies. This creates the perfect environment for stress relief, a mental health boost and a chance for social connection.
A great place to experience yoga with puppies is Puppy Sphere. Puppy Sphere is a female-founded North American company with locations in major U.S. cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York City as well as various cities in Canada. When it comes to safety, the puppies are in great hands at Puppy Sphere. They describe themselves as committed to and focused on the health, safety, and well-being of puppies.
Puppy Sphere partners with local breeders as well as multiple rescues to provide relaxing puppy yoga experiences for customers and socialization exercises for the puppies. By getting exposure to new people and areas, the puppies become more confident and eventually easily-adjusted by the time they reach their forever-homes.
The 75-minute session begins with an explanation of safety protocols for the puppies. Then, a certified yoga instructor leads a 45-minute beginner yoga routine – perfect for all skill levels – as the puppies begin to roam around freely, playing with the chew toys scattered across the room or choosing your yoga mat as their preferred play spot.
As the actual yoga comes to an end, the 30-minute puppy play time session begins. This dedicated socialization period allows you to hold and cuddle the puppies, take photos and enjoy refreshing sparkling beverages offered by the studio.
The puppy breed varies from class to class and is announced on the Puppy Sphere official Instagram weekly. Pictured above is a class that featured adorable Cavapoo puppies. Another benefit is that the puppies are available for adoption through Puppy Sphere’s partner organizations. Customers interested in adopting can ask Puppy Sphere staff for the appropriate contact information.
There are certainly things to know before you consider booking a puppy yoga session through Puppy Sphere. The sessions are becoming increasingly popular and sell out fast, so booking in advance is a smart choice. Of course, it is also recommended that you wear comfortable athletic clothing that you wouldn’t mind getting a little hair on as well. Most important to remember is to focus on the experience. You don’t need to worry about being a yoga pro; the priority of the experience is creating a social bond with the puppies.
If you are looking for a serious yoga and meditation retreat, this might not be your speed. However, the puppy yoga experience at Puppy Sphere is an incredible way to relieve stress, get your body moving, and increase serotonin levels for that extra boost of joy to get you through the last few weeks of the stressful school year. Overall, this experience serves as a reminder to slow down, breath, and enjoy experiences in the moment.
