Puppy Yoga NYC brings together two of New York City's happiest things: a guided, all-levels yoga flow and a room full of playful puppies. Set in Manhattan's Upper East Side, this 75-minute pop-up wellness experience pairs a 45-minute vinyasa class with 30 minutes of open puppy cuddle time, plus thoughtful extras like provided yoga mats and a wellness drink cart.
If you are looking for a mood-boosting activity that feels equal parts self-care, social outing and pure joy, this pop-up event is designed for you.
What Is Puppy Yoga NYC?
Puppy Yoga NYC (also known as Puppies & Yoga) is a limited-time, pop-up wellness series in Manhattan. Each session combines mindful movement with time to unwind on the floor with 6 to 12 vaccinated puppies, usually between 8 and 12 weeks old.
The format is simple and uplifting:
- 45 minutes of all-levels vinyasa flow led by a certified instructor.
- 30 minutes of dedicated puppy chill time for cuddles, photos and gentle play.
- Yoga mats provided for every guest, so you can travel light.
- Wellness drink cart to help you hydrate and refresh after class.
All of this unfolds while a group of young, future family pets explores the studio, curls up on your mat and occasionally decides your downward dog is the perfect place for a nap.
Puppy Yoga NYC at a Glance
| Detail | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Location | Manhattan, primarily Upper East Side studio |
| Format | 75 minutes total (45-minute vinyasa flow + 30-minute puppy chill time) |
| Schedule | Mainly weekends, with multiple daytime time slots on Saturdays and Sundays |
| Ticket price | Typically around $69 per person |
| Included with ticket | Yoga mat for the session, wellness drink cart and certified instruction |
| Puppies per class | Approximately 6 to 12 vaccinated puppies from a single litter |
| Puppy age | Generally 8 to 12 weeks old |
| Age requirement | Participants must be at least 10 years old (under 15 accompanied by an adult) |
| Booking policy | Final sale due to pop-up format; rescheduling possible up to 3 days before class |
| New dates | Usually released around 2 months in advance |
How a Puppy Yoga NYC Session Works
1. Arrival and Check-In
To keep everything running smoothly, guests are asked to arrive around 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. This gives you time to:
- Check in and choose your mat.
- Sign the required waiver.
- Settle your belongings and ease into the space before class begins.
Because the event has a structured flow, entry is not permitted more than 20 minutes after the session starts. This protects both the calm of the class and the puppies' routine.
2. All-Levels Vinyasa Flow (45 Minutes)
The first part of your experience is a 45-minute vinyasa yoga class taught by a certified instructor. The sequence is deliberately designed to be all-levels:
- New to yoga? You can expect clear cues, options and modifications.
- Experienced yogi? You will still find room to challenge yourself and deepen your practice.
Throughout the flow, the puppies are free to wander, sniff your hands, investigate your mat or flop over for a belly rub while you hold a pose. The atmosphere is light, playful and social, while still giving you time to connect with your breath and body.
3. Puppy Chill Time (30 Minutes)
Once savasana wraps up, the final 30 minutes are all about the pups. Mats become cuddle stations and photo backdrops as you sit, kneel or lie on the floor and interact with the puppies at their pace.
This is the moment to:
- Take photos and short videos of your favorite puppy moments.
- Cuddle and calmly play with the puppies who choose to come to you.
- Simply relax on your mat and soak in the feel-good puppy energy.
Puppy wellness stays at the center of the experience, so interactions are gentle and guided. The pups can roam, rest or seek out guests as they wish.
What Your Ticket Includes
Each Puppy Yoga NYC ticket is designed to feel like a complete mini-retreat in the middle of Manhattan. A single reservation typically covers:
- 75-minute experience with puppies (45-minute yoga + 30-minute chill time).
- Use of a yoga mat for the entire session, so you do not have to bring your own.
- Certified yoga instruction from a teacher trained to support all experience levels.
- Wellness drink cart to help you hydrate and extend the self-care feeling beyond the mat.
Tickets are typically priced around $69, offering a bundled experience that covers the class, the equipment and the most heart-melting part: time surrounded by puppies.
Meet the Puppies: Where They Come From and How They Benefit
Local, Vaccinated Puppies on Their Way to New Homes
Puppy Yoga NYC partners with local breeders within about an hour of each city to welcome young puppies who are nearing the time they will join their new families. These pups are:
- Between roughly 8 and 12 weeks old, a key window for socialization.
- Vaccinated according to their age and veterinarian guidance.
- Brought in as a single litter for each session, so different litters are not mixed.
After class, the puppies return to their breeders and eventually continue on to meet their future families.
Socialization and Puppy Wellness
These sessions are not just fun for humans. They are designed to be gentle socialization opportunities for the puppies as they prepare to transition into their new homes. Calm interactions with different people in a controlled environment can help:
- Build confidence around new sights, sounds and surfaces.
- Reduce stress when meeting new humans in the future.
- Support well-adjusted behavior as the puppies grow.
Puppy well-being is treated as the top priority. For that reason, interaction with specific puppies is not guaranteed; staff and instructors will always adjust handling to what is best for the animals in the room.
Who Puppy Yoga NYC Is Perfect For
Because the yoga portion is all-levels and the atmosphere is welcoming, this pop-up suits a wide range of people, including:
- Beginners who have never taken a yoga class but want a fun, low-pressure first experience.
- Busy professionals looking for a weekend reset that is more memorable than a typical workout.
- Students and recent grads seeking a unique social activity in the city.
- Dog lovers who miss their pets or cannot have one at home right now.
- Tourists eager to add a one-of-a-kind wellness experience to their NYC itinerary.
- Friend groups, couples and small celebrations wanting something playful and photo-worthy.
As long as you meet the minimum age requirement and are comfortable sharing floor space with playful young dogs, you will likely feel right at home.
Benefits of Puppy Yoga: For You and the Puppies
Emotional and Mental Wellness
Puppy Yoga NYC is intentionally crafted as an uplifting, stress-relieving experience. Many guests walk away describing it as the highlight of their week. This kind of session can help you:
- Release stress through movement, breathwork and laughter.
- Boost your mood thanks to positive social atmosphere and puppy play.
- Take a tech break and be present in the moment, even if you pause for photos.
- Reconnect with your body in a way that feels gentle, not intimidating.
Research into human-animal interaction has linked time with animals to reductions in perceived stress and increases in feelings of calm and connection. While every person is different, many guests describe leaving class feeling lighter, happier and more relaxed.
Physical Benefits of the Yoga Practice
The yoga portion of the event gives you the benefits of a guided vinyasa class, such as:
- Improved flexibility through progressive stretching.
- Gentle strengthening of core, legs and upper body.
- Better posture awareness from mindful alignment cues.
- Deeper breathing to support focus and relaxation.
Because the focus is on enjoyment, you are encouraged to move at your pace, take breaks and choose variations that feel right for your body.
Benefits for the Puppies
The puppies also gain from these classes. Gentle, supervised interaction can support their development by:
- Helping them become comfortable with different people.
- Exposing them to new environments and sounds gradually.
- Offering play and engagement during an important stage of growth.
The result is a win-win setting where humans enjoy the magic of puppy time, and puppies gain positive experiences that can help them as they move on to their permanent homes.
Real Guest Impressions
Puppy Yoga NYC has received strong feedback from guests, with ratings around the 4.7 out of 5 range across many reviews. Visitors consistently highlight the friendly instructors, the relaxed vibe and, of course, the puppies.
Guests often mention that the yoga is accessible for all levels, the studio feels welcoming and clean, and the puppies bring a level of joy they were not expecting from a typical class.
Several reviewers say they plan to return, calling it one of their favorite ways to start a weekend and recommending it to friends, couples and coworkers.
While individual experiences always vary, the overall sentiment points to a reliably fun, memorable and well-run pop-up.
Important Policies and Safety Notes
Age Requirements
- Minimum age: 10 years old.
- Participants under 15 must attend with an accompanying adult.
This helps keep the environment safe and manageable for both the puppies and all guests.
Risks and Waivers
Because you will be sharing space with young, playful dogs, there are some natural risks, including the possibility of minor scratches or nips. As part of check-in:
- All guests are required to sign a waiver acknowledging these risks.
- Staff and instructors remain attentive to both human and puppy safety throughout class.
Wearing comfortable clothing that covers more of your skin, such as leggings and a soft top, can help minimize the odds of small scratches.
Booking, Refunds and Rescheduling
Puppy Yoga NYC operates as a pop-up event, which means schedule windows and space are limited. To keep things running smoothly:
- All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.
- You can usually reschedule your class up to 3 days before your original time slot, subject to availability.
- New dates are typically released about two months in advance, giving you time to plan ahead.
Reading the confirmation details carefully and choosing a time that works well for you will help you make the most of the policies.
Late Arrival Policy
To protect the flow of the experience and reduce disruption for the puppies and other guests:
- Entry is not allowed more than 20 minutes after the session begins.
- Arriving 15 minutes early is strongly recommended.
Puppy Breeds and Announcements
One fun aspect of Puppy Yoga NYC is that the puppy breeds change from weekend to weekend. The team typically:
- Partners with local breeders to welcome a single litter per session.
- Announces the expected breed for each weekend about three days in advance on www.puppies-yoga.com/products/nyc-new-york-manhattan and social channels.
Because the puppies are living animals with their own schedules and needs, breeds are not guaranteed and may change at the last minute if circumstances require. Flexibility is part of the charm: you might end up meeting a different but equally adorable group than originally expected.
How to Prepare for Your Puppy Yoga NYC Class
What to Bring (and What You Can Skip)
You can travel light to this pop-up. Since yoga mats are provided, you only need a few essentials:
- Comfortable, puppy-friendly clothing you do not mind getting a bit of fur on.
- Water bottle to stay hydrated alongside the wellness drink cart.
- Phone or camera for photos during puppy chill time.
- Light layers in case the studio feels cooler or warmer than expected.
Heavy jewelry, delicate fabrics or clothing you would worry about around playful puppies are best left at home.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Plan your route to the Upper East Side studio in advance so you can arrive early and relaxed.
- Avoid a heavy meal right before class, since you will be moving and stretching.
- Set an intention for your session, whether that is to laugh more, disconnect from work or simply enjoy being around animals.
- Be open to spontaneity— puppies may climb onto your mat, lick your face mid-pose or curl up on your towel when you least expect it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Yoga NYC
Is Puppy Yoga NYC beginner-friendly?
Yes. The instructors design the flows to be accessible to all levels, and they offer options for both newer students and experienced yogis. You can always rest, modify or skip poses as needed.
Can pregnant guests participate?
Puppy yoga is generally a gentle activity, but pregnant guests should consult their healthcare provider before signing up to ensure the class fits their individual needs and any medical guidance they have received.
How many puppies are in each class?
Most sessions include between 6 and 12 puppies, depending on the size and availability of the litter. To support health and safety, different litters are not mixed.
Are the puppies adoptable?
The puppies are on their way to new homes through local breeders and join the classes shortly before meeting their future families. While the pop-up offers valuable socialization for them, it is not structured as an on-site adoption event.
What if I need to change my reservation?
Because of the pop-up format, tickets are non-refundable. However, you can generally reschedule to another class up to three days before your original date, as long as space is available. Checking dates carefully before booking is a good idea.
Why Puppy Yoga NYC Belongs on Your Wellness Bucket List
In a city that never slows down, Puppy Yoga NYC stands out as a rare combination of movement, mindfulness and sheer delight. You get the benefits of a guided yoga class, the undeniable mood lift of being surrounded by puppies and the energy of sharing it all with a room full of fellow dog lovers.
Whether you are an Upper East Side local, a Manhattan commuter or a visitor planning your next NYC weekend, this 75-minute puppies-and-yoga pop-up is a powerful reminder that wellness can be playful, social and unforgettable.
Plan ahead, pick your time slot, bring your sense of humor and get ready to flow, breathe and play your way through one of New York City's most joy-filled wellness experiences.
