Puppies and Yoga, located in North Loop, Minneapolis, is a 75-minute yoga class with puppies. The class is offered every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays with five different sessions each day. There is a $70 fee for the class which starts off with 45 minutes of yoga and then is followed by 30 minutes of play time with the puppies. The puppy breeds vary each weekend and are announced four days prior to your session via the company’s Instagram.
When I first arrived, we were instructed to pick our spots and were immediately handed a puppy — this session was husky puppies. Puppies and Yoga works with local breeders to organize the classes. Often, the puppies are available for adoption, so the class is a great way for breeders to get exposure and find forever homes for the puppies. For my class, about half of the huskies were available for adoption. I thought the company did a great job of inviting families that are looking to adopt.
As we began our 45 minutes of yoga, the puppies wandered around the room and carefully inspected all of the new people. The yoga instructor led us through a calm, low-intensity workout. The yoga was relaxing, but I felt the workout was subpar. The staff were very welcoming, however, the poses we were led through were very basic. The quality of instruction and level of workout did not match the price tag.
After completing the class, I concluded it is not worth the $70 fee. The highlight of the class was definitely the last 30 minutes with the puppies. The quality of the yoga simply did not make the price of the class worth it. According to thumbtack.com, a 45-minute yoga class costs around $30. A reasonable price for the class would be $50 due to the level of instruction participants received during the yoga portion.
Puppies and yoga are a great way for breeders to find forever homes for their puppies. Families have the opportunity to come in and meet the different dogs and they also offer time to bring in their own dog to see how they would act around a new puppy. During the class I took, one family had driven four hours and brought their own dog to see if getting a puppy would be the right choice for their family. Both the breeder and the instructors made this interaction seamless. Participants not only got to play with the brand new puppies, but also the family’s dog. The staff were very welcoming to all participants and were very attentive.
Puppies and Yoga has swept over the United States with locations all across the country. Their marketing via Instagram has drastically impacted their popularity. More and more people have been discovering the puppy yoga craze thanks to social media. The company also offers private events. Like many, I discovered the company via social media, so I think that is one of the most effective ways they have been able to market their service.
With a company like Puppies and Yoga, lots of questions circulate regarding the wellness of the puppies. It is their mission to ensure “you have the best possible experience, while prioritizing the health and well-being of the puppies.” Puppies receive food and water based on the breeders instructions; they make sure puppies get 30-minute naps in between classes and they ensure cleanliness as well as frequent wellness checks on the puppies. The puppies were healthy and very social the entire class, only getting tired near the end.
Overall, I had a great time at Puppies and Yoga in Minneapolis. Despite the yoga being subpar, the staff were lovely and time with the puppies was definitely the highlight. I would definitely
recommend Puppies and Yoga to anyone looking for a fun way to spend a day in Minneapolis.
“Puppies and Yoga:” ★★★★☆
