Positive Aging Thought Leader: Maria Leonard Olsen
Puppy yoga benefits go beyond physical movement; this lighthearted practice brings joy, stress relief, and a new way to fall back in love with exercise.
The new year is often the time people re-commit to exercise. Somewhere along the way, though, I lost my enthusiasm for exercising, even though I know it is beneficial for my well-being.
I walk my dog regularly and have a fairly active existence, despite having a sedentary job. In my 40s, I ran three marathons. I consciously add movement into my days, like rising on tiptoe or doing squats while I brush my teeth. In my 60s, though, I would rather relax than go to a gym.
Reconnecting with Movement in a New Way
I know about the importance of exercise, so I investigated new forms of exercise to spark my interest. Puppy yoga, sometimes called “doga,” was a wonderful way for me to restart my yoga practice.
One company, Puppies & Yoga, offers puppy yoga classes in more than 30 cities across the country. I am based in Washington, DC and have tried their offerings at all three of their locations here.
Puppy Yoga Benefits for Body and Spirit
Puppy yoga increases endorphins and dopamine at the same time. After a safety briefing, participants experience the calming and healthy effects of yoga and the delightful presence of adorable puppies. The classes allow for exercise and puppy cuddling time during or afterwards.
The classes cater to all fitness level and usually consist of a gentle flow practice. The classes are kept small, so as not to overwhelm the puppies and to give people ample puppy interaction. Children are allowed in some classes if accompanied by a guardian. Puppy yoga can be a wonderful bonding family experience. Private parties also can be arranged.
How It Works
A trained instructor leads the class, and at least one attendant keeps an eye out for puppy accidents. The puppies roam around the room during the class and occasionally fall asleep on top of participants. I found having a puppy climb on me while doing yoga preferable to the goat yoga experience, though baby goats are pretty cute.
The puppies are typically between eight to 12 weeks old and come from breeders in the studios’ area. Sometimes a studio partners with a local animal shelter, like the Atlanta Humane Society, and encourages adoptions. Rescue Puppy Yoga has successfully placed more than 500 puppies in adoptive homes through its puppy yoga events. Oftentimes, a portion of the proceeds from the puppy yoga classes is donated to the shelters or rescue organizations. Austin’s Inner Diva Studios includes a kitten yoga class in its schedule. Other studios offer yoga classes featuring bunnies.
Concerns and Animal Welfare
The puppies benefit from socialization before being place in their forever homes. Some studio staff works with veterinarians and animal behaviorists to monitor the animals’ wellbeing. Some animal welfare experts have concerns about the unregulated aspect of the puppy yoga trend, worrying that the dogs may be stressed or if puppies younger than eight weeks (the age at which vaccinations are typically completed) are being used.
The American Kennel Club, however, has published at least one article quoting dog trainers and breeders touting the benefits of puppy yoga in increasing the puppies’ confidence, trainability, ability to be calm and exhibit mild energy in transitional environments. The staff at Puppies and Yoga assured me that the puppies were well-treated, appropriately aged and came from reputable breeders.
More Than Just Yoga
I was fortunate to have yoga sessions featuring Chow Chow, St. Bernard/Goldendoodle mixes and Australian shepherd puppies. The Chow Chows in particular resembled stuffed animals in their furriness and adorable faces. No one wanted to leave when the session ended.
The attendees were all animal lovers and we took turns taking photos for one another as we played with the pups. Puppy yoga is less strict than traditional yoga, and more lighthearted. There are no balancing poses, so as to minimize people losing their balance and inadvertently stepping on the puppies.
The cuteness overload distracted me from the harder poses. Some people did barely any yoga and preferred to spend their time with the puppies.
The playful atmosphere melted away any stress I was feeling before the class. Studies have shown that interacting with animals in general can decrease cortisol and lower blood pressure, which is why animal therapy in general has increased in popularity.
A Joyful Way to Stay Active in Midlife
I left with a feeling of serenity and joy in this uplifting experience, and happy to have partaken in an innovative way to combine physical exercise, mental wellbeing and the joy of animal interaction. I am guessing that puppy yoga would be a good complementary treatment for depression.
I am interested in trying lots of unique exercise experiences. I occasionally do Zumba classes and online exercise classes provide excellent variety. If you have a suggestion, leave a comment below.
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About the Author:
Maria Leonard Olsen is an attorney, author, radio show and podcast host in the Washington, D.C., area. For more information about her work, see www.MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow her on social media at @fiftyafter50. Her latest book, 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, which has served as a vehicle for helping thousands of women reinvigorate their lives, is offered for sale on this website.
