Puppy Yoga Washington is where playful paws meet peaceful poses. A heartwarming mix of yoga and puppy cuddles that brings joy to both the body and soul. At its core, puppy yoga is a gentle yoga class where adorable puppies roam around the room as you move through simple stretches and calming breaths. It’s not about perfect poses, but about shared smiles, tail wags, and a feel-good atmosphere that makes everyone a little happier.
Puppy Yoga Washington
This cheerful yoga trend began in 2017, when the idea of combining yoga and pet therapy started gaining popularity in places like the U.S. and the U.K. There’s no single person who’s considered the “founder” of puppy yoga. Still, it grew from a bigger movement focused on emotional well-being, animal rescue awareness, and stress relief.
Some believe it was first introduced by animal shelters looking for creative ways to help rescued puppies get socialized and adopted. Others saw it as a fun way to bring more lightness and connection into traditional yoga spaces.
In Washington, DC, puppy yoga has become a local favorite, not just because it’s cute, but because it makes sense. Yoga helps calm the nervous system, and spending time with animals is known to ease anxiety and lift your mood.
Many puppy yoga sessions in DC also support local rescues, which means every stretch and snuggle helps a puppy find a forever home.
So, let’s check out the Yoga Alliance registered studios for Puppy Yoga Washington DC –
Puppies & Yoga
About –
Puppies & Yoga was born from a simple idea to mix the calm of yoga with the pure joy of playing with puppies. It’s a place where downward dogs shake hands with actual dogs and laughter fills the room as much as soothing breaths.
One of the co-owners of the studio shared that the idea came from people’s need to de-stress and feel good in a playful and light-hearted way. The goal is to create a fun space where yoga is easy, puppies are everywhere, and stress melts away.
Each session includes about 45 minutes of beginner-friendly yoga, followed by 30 minutes of puppy cuddle time. The puppies are usually between 8–12 weeks old and are brought in from trusted breeders (not shelters), so the experience is more about socializing puppies than adoption. This helps the pups get used to people before they go to their forever homes!
The studio focuses on giving both people and puppies a safe and joyful space to connect. It’s not just a class, it’s a heartwarming experience where you stretch, breathe, laugh, and leave with maybe some puppy hair on your pants!
Puppy Yoga Offerings –
- The studio conducts a 45-minute all-level flow-style yoga class while adorable puppies roam around. A 30-minute dedicated puppy playtime and cuddling is also included.
- They also offer 75‑minute sessions that begin with 45 minutes of all‑level, gentle yoga followed by 30 minutes of puppy playtime with cuddles, photos, and fun together.
Website – https://puppies-yoga.com/
Puppy Sphere
About –
The Puppy Sphere was established in 2021 in Toronto when Francesca Albo and Lea Burbidge Izquierdo, two dog lovers, teamed up to turn their love for puppies into a wellness movement. They dreamed of conducting a peaceful yoga class filled with puppy cuddles.
Their original signature class divides about 45 minutes of gentle yoga, followed by 30 minutes of puppy play, and additional bubbly drinks for a playful touch.
The Puppy Sphere isn’t about selling dogs; it’s about sharing warmth, smiles, and encouraging mental fitness. Puppies come from trusted breeders or shelters, and each class is created to be safe, fun, and uplifting for both people and pups!
Puppy Yoga Offerings –
- Wellness Puppy Yoga – It’s a 75‑minute class that combines 45 minutes of guided beginner‑friendly yoga, followed by 30 minutes of puppy play and cuddles with wellness drinks included.
- Purpose & Impact – $1 from each ticket sale is donated to local rescue and mental health organizations. Till now, they’ve supported over 16 groups across 11 cities, donating over $13,600.
- Breeds & Socialization – The puppies vary by location and weekend; the themes feature different breeds per session, where the experience is focused on animal wellbeing with puppies sourced responsibly and given rest time between classes.
- Wellness Puppy Yoga – Their similar offerings are available in numerous locations across North America, including New York City (Union Square, Brooklyn), Miami, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco, Boston, Toronto, and Montreal (Canada).
Website – https://thepuppysphere.com/
District Dogs
About –
The District Dogs was opened in 2016 by Jacob Hensley, who made a bold move by leaving his finance job to follow his love for dogs.
The pet care company was all about making pet care personal and warm. They didn’t just walk dogs; they offered daycare, grooming, training, and even fun events like puppy yoga and dog-friendly workouts called BarkFit. It’s a place where pups get lots of love and busy pet parents get peace of mind!
In 2024, Tina Leone entered as CEO to help take things further, while Jacob stayed close as a guiding hand. District Dogs isn’t just a pet service, it’s a community. A place where dogs can be happy, healthy, have fun, and where their humans can feel good knowing their furry friends are in the best hands!
Puppy Yoga Offerings –
- With The Little Black Dog Rescue – This is a one-hour mixed-level yoga class featuring adoptable puppies with proceeds benefiting The Little Black Dog Rescue. The pricing is $40, which is non-refundable.
- With Lost Dog Rescue – It’s a one-hour mixed-level yoga class with adoptable puppies, benefiting Lost Dog Rescue.
- BarkFit Puppy Yoga at District Dogs – This is a unique yoga class that allows participants to bring their own dogs, encouraging socialization and bonding.
Website – https://districtdogs.com/
Up Dog Yoga Community
About –
Up Dog Yoga Community is a welcoming yoga studio right in the heart of Washington, DC. It’s a place where people come together to move, breathe, and grow stronger, both in the body and mind. They offer different kinds of yoga classes like Power Flow and Yin, plus meditation, so everyone can find what feels right for them!
The studio has a big heart for building a warm, friendly community full of meaningful connections, good energy, and making yoga easy and fun for all levels.
In 2025, Up Dog Yoga Community was named the Runner-Up for Best Yoga Studio in DC, which is a clear sign that this studio isn’t just about yoga, but about creating a happy and supportive place where everyone can feel at home.
Puppy Yoga Offerings –
- Pup Dog (Foundations – All Levels) – This is a back-to-basics class designed to slow down your practice, refine your breath, and focus on the foundations of yoga. The studio is cooled to a comfortable temperature of 70-75°F.
- Fast Dog (All Levels) – Fast Dog is a shortened 45-minute version of their Power Flow class, which is perfect for squeezing in a rejuvenating yoga session during your lunch break.
Website – https://www.updogyogacommunity.com/
Bark Fit
About –
BarkFit is a fun and unique fitness studio in Washington, DC, where dog lovers get to work out alongside their furry best friends. They conduct heart-pumping boot camps or calming dog yoga classes that make exercise a shared adventure for both people and pups.
The studio was started by Jacob Hensley, who also created District Dogs, a well-known pet care company. Jacob saw how hard it can be for dog owners to find time to exercise while giving their dogs enough attention. So, he came up with BarkFit — a place where you can stay fit and bond with your dog at the same time.
Their mission is bright and simple: to help dog owners have fun, stay healthy, gain confidence, and grow closer to their pets through shared workouts. BarkFit offers both in-person and online classes, making it easy to join no matter where you are!
If you want a fitness experience that’s good for both you and your dog, BarkFit is the perfect spot to wag and work out!
Puppy Yoga Offerings –
- Bark Yoga is a 60-minute class created for dog owners to practice yoga with their dogs. These sessions are for developing a good bond between you and your canine companion.
- Class Details – It’s a 60-minute class costing $15 per class. You can bring your own dog, and all dogs must be under the control and supervision of their owners at all times.
Website – https://barkfit.com/barkyoga/
Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses
About –
Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses (DNYP) was started as a sweet idea to help rescue dogs find loving homes, and it quickly grew into something big! It all began when Debra Furstenberg wanted to help her daughter find a fun community project. After being inspired by stories of goat yoga, she thought, “Why not yoga with puppies?” So, in 2017, their very first puppy yoga class happened at a brewery in New Jersey. It was a huge hit and raised nearly $1,000 for a local rescue group called Husky House.
Since it was loved by everyone so much, DNYP turned into a full organization that now hosts puppy yoga events all over the country. Their goal is to raise money and awareness for animal rescues while bringing joy and smiles to people and pups!
DNYP has donated over $250,000 to help rescue dogs across many states, from New Jersey to Colorado and more!
Puppy Yoga Offerings –
- OSCAR Animal Rescue – This is a 45-minute mixed-level yoga session followed by a 15-minute “snuggasana” session with rescue puppies and dogs.
- Cold Nose Warm Heart Animal Rescue – It’s a 45-minute yoga class with a 15-minute “snuggasana” session with rescue puppies and dogs.
- One Step Closer Animal Rescue (OSCAR) – These are two 45-minute yoga sessions with a 15-minute puppy meet & greet after each session.
Website – https://www.dnypusa.com/
Final Words –
Puppy yoga is truly a one-of-a-kind experience that goes beyond just stretching or exercise. It brings together fitness, mindfulness, and the pure joy of connecting with loving pups. Studios like Up Dog Yoga Community, BarkFit, and Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses offer classes with moments of calm, community, and compassion that stay with you long after the session ends.This unique mix of movement and furry friendship not only helps you feel grounded and refreshed but also supports important causes like animal rescue. Puppies Yoga Washington DC is a wholesome way to nurture both your body and your heart!
