Puppy Yoga

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Yoga, Small Dogs and a Saturday Morning at IRL

When we first heard that puppy yoga classes were being offered at the IRL Miami space on U.S.1 in the Gables, we had visions of cute little balls of fur sitting on our backs and in our laps as we held different positions. Not quite. But that did not mean it wasn’t a morning of adorable fun.

IRL Miami is a 4,500-square-foot social and wellness club across from the University of Miami, designed for community events and “brand activations.” When we last visited IRL it was for an intimate Common Ground dinner series, and the setting looked very different. On that occasion, guests gathered upstairs around a marble countertop for a 12-course meal. This time, the downstairs studio was lined with yoga mats, while small barks from a nearby playpen hinted at what was to come: a group of 10-week-old poodle mixes.

The drill, we were told, was yoga first, dog play afterwards. At least we’d be stretching with a smile. But before choosing our mats, curiosity got the better of us, and we visited the playpen to greet our soon-to-be best friends. Several puppies with curly brown coats ran back and forth along the edge of their pen; others with gray and white fur were still waking up. A few simply wagged their tails, excited to meet the new faces.

The studio’s open layout and floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of morning light, while the sage-painted walls made the room feel spacious. With the mats lined up, we took our places as the instructor explained that the class would include 30 minutes of yoga followed by 30 minutes of puppies. A second instructor reviewed the safety rules, emphasizing that guests should never walk while carrying a puppy to prevent drops or other accidents.

The class began with breathwork before moving into seated stretches (of course including “downward dog”). The sequence focused on mobility and stretching rather than difficult poses, making it manageable for someone taking a yoga class for the first time. We also practiced baby cradle, a seated pose that opens the hips and stretches the glutes. To finish, we took one final deep breath and brought our palms together at the chest.

Now it was time for the part everyone had been waiting for. We moved our mats aside and formed a circle to keep the puppies from wandering too far. The instructors carried them over one by one. Some settled into the nearest laps, others became escape artists, and a few had a sudden case of the zoomies.

The remaining 30 minutes seemed to fly by with puppy kisses, puppy photos, and puppy play. Some tried to start games of tug-of-war, while others ran around on unsteady legs. I’m not sure which produced more dopamine in our brains, the yoga or the puppies. Both kept everyone focused on the moment, and before we knew it, class was over.

Puppy Yoga Club works with rescue groups, shelters and reputable breeders. Guests interested in adoption can speak with the instructors. Classes are held Saturdays and Sundays at IRL Miami, with different breeds featured. Each hourlong session costs $69: upcoming sessions and featured breeds are listed at puppy-yogaclub.com.