Puppy Yoga in Toronto: What to Expect Before Your First Class

Puppy yoga is a gentle, beginner-friendly yoga class held in a room where puppies are free to wander, play and nap among the mats. The yoga is real, but the mood is light — expect laughter, interruptions and plenty of photos. Here’s what to know before your first class.

What a typical class looks like

You can watch a short clip of a Flowtime puppy yoga class on our Puppy Yoga page.

Classes are usually short and relaxed. At Flowtime’s past puppy yoga events, each 60-minute ticket included a 40-minute yoga class with puppies, followed by 20 minutes to hang out with the pups, plus access to a photo zone with props.

Because puppies move around freely, the class is designed to be flexible. Poses are gentle, and it’s completely fine to pause your practice when a puppy climbs onto your mat.

What to wear and bring

• Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little fur on
• A yoga mat, unless the organizer provides or rents them (Flowtime events have offered mat rentals)
• Water
• Your phone, if photos are allowed — ask first

Leave dangling jewellery and loose accessories at home; curious puppies may want to chew them.

Beginner-friendly considerations

You don’t need any yoga experience. Classes are designed for all levels, and the focus is on enjoying the experience rather than perfecting poses. If you have injuries, are pregnant, or have mobility concerns, let the instructor know before class.

Hygiene and animal welfare

These are the questions worth asking any puppy yoga organizer:

• Where do the puppies come from, and how are they cared for?
• How long are the puppies with guests, and do they get breaks and quiet time?
• Are the puppies old enough and vaccinated appropriately?
• What are the house rules for handling puppies and for children?
• How is the space cleaned before and after class?

A responsible organizer will be happy to answer. Puppies should never be forced to interact, picked up roughly, or kept active without rest.

Allergies and comfort

If you have pet allergies, puppy yoga may not be a good fit — consider a regular private class instead. If you’re nervous around dogs, ask whether there is space on the edge of the room where you can practise with fewer interruptions.

Age requirements

Many classes have age limits. Flowtime’s past puppy yoga events were for ages 19+, or 16+ with adult supervision.

What to check before booking

• The date, time and full address of the venue
• What the ticket includes and how long the session runs
• Whether mats are provided or available to rent
• The organizer’s answers on puppy care and welfare
• Age requirements and any allergy considerations
• The refund or rescheduling policy

Private puppy yoga

Puppy yoga also makes a joyful private celebration — for birthdays, bachelorettes or team events. See private group yoga for celebrations for planning tips.

For upcoming Flowtime puppy yoga details or private bookings, explore Puppy Yoga.