If the world feels unhinged and is making you unhinged, maybe all you need is a puppy. Restore your balance with wellbeing’s newest move, the cat-cow-puppy. YogaPaws is a delightful feel-good class that combines gentle, beginner friendly floor yoga and relaxation with puppy play. Breathe, stretch, tummy-rub, repeat.
Being in the moment is a near impossible pursuit. That is, until you have a 7 week-old caramel Cavoodle with a white swirl on his back in your lap pawing you for attention. The epitome of cuteness right there, reminding you that whatever was worrying you five minutes ago can wait. We fell in love. If I could have adopted him on the spot, I would have. That isn’t what yoga paws is about however.
Who Are Yoga Paws?
Brisbane founders Harry McCann and Tea-Maria Constantin created this experience where dogs experience being socialised and the two-leggeds experience chilling out. The team partners with trusted local breeders and shelters, with two dedicated animal supervisors keeping interactions seated, gentle and puppy-led. Contact is never forced, but puppies are curious creatures. As soon as these fur babies are out of the pen, they’re in full discovery mode: pouncing, sniffing, exploring and climbing into laps.
Yoga with Puppies! – The Class
We’ve arrived early, which I’d recommend as each person virtually had their own pup at the 8am class. Today we are practicing with a litter of fluffy Cavoodles who appear to be straight from Kleenex central casting. The class begins with Sukhasana, seated breathwork and intention setting. My intention was simple – I’m here for doggo dopamine.
A tiny toffee coloured puppy bonds to me immediately and I confess, the yoga went out the window the moment this adorable fur ball with big brown eyes gazes up at me. It wouldn’t be yoga without striking several downward dogs which gets us even more in-sync with the puppies.
Sixty minutes disappears before we know it. As we settle into Savasana my caramel pup is laying on my heart. The energy in the room is at a new level, everyone seems unhinged in a different way, we share an expression of pure joy. Clearly this isn’t traditional yoga, it is however 100% Zen yoga where a different kind of enlightenment is obtainable.
Yoga Paws runs sessions every week across nine Australian cities, and at two locations in Sydney, Annandale and Bondi. You can also book private parties and corporate events.
Namaste, puppy lovers. Go for (some) yoga, lay for the serotonin and leave booking your next session.
