If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably gotten a request for a pet at some point. My son, who is now 13 has always wanted a dog, but for many reasons (busy schedules, allergies, me not wanting to take care of it) we never did. I always felt a little guilty about this because not only is he great with animals, but I also had this idea that having a dog is a rite of passage for a young boy. While we may have missed that window, when I saw there was a doggy yoga class coming up at a local yoga studio, we were both excited to try it.
As a long-time practitioner of yoga, I knew I’d like the yoga part of the class, but I wasn’t sure what it would be like with animals in the room! Debra Furstenberg, founder of Doggy Noses and Yoga Poses, started the organization when her young daughter wanted to do more than solicit monetary donations to help a local rescue. Inspired by the popularity of goat yoga, she floated the idea of doggy yoga to her daughter. Their first event in Belmar in 2017 was such a huge success that it bloomed into a business and became Furstenberg’s calling.
When we arrived at Fly Free Living Yoga in Skillman, the yoga class was split into two studios. We were instructed to bring our own mats and found a spot on the floor. The class seemed like any other yoga class I had ever attended, with the instructor guiding us in a variety of poses. The one difference was that there were three cute pups from OSCAR (One Step Closer Animal Rescue) roaming around the room! Drax, a Lab/hound mix and two black Lab puppies, Clydie and Tulip, chased around the studio, darting underneath the arches of our downward dogs, sniffing the participants and each other, and generally causing doggone mayhem. It was a wonderful way to give the sometimes-serious practice of yoga a much more lighthearted vibe. When I looked around, most of the other participants were eagerly awaiting the pups to come visit their mats.
About halfway through the 1-hour class, the dogs switched rooms, and we got some time with Cooper and Espresso, who were Lab/Schnauzer mixes. While they weren’t as energetic as Clyde and Tulip, everyone thoroughly enjoyed watching them explore around the room.
The mission of Doggy Noses and Yoga Poses is to raise money and awareness for rescue groups while partnering with and supporting local businesses and studios. So basically, it’s a win for the rescues, the businesses that host them, and most of all, the dogs who hopefully find their forever homes following the events!
While we still weren’t 100 percent sure about adopting a dog after the event, it was definitely a fun bonding experience and got us thinking about what type of dog we’d want. While adoption applications were available, I appreciated that there was no hard sell on adopting an animal. I also loved the fact that after seeing me do yoga in our living room all his life, my son acknowledged after trying it that it’s pretty challenging! Everyone left feeling good that they had participated in a community-building activity and it’s definitely an event I’d recommend to anyone who loves animals, yoga or even just supporting local businesses.
Doggy Noses and Yoga Poses is now in a dozen states and has several upcoming events taking place in New Jersey including Princeton (May 24), Spring Lake (May 25), Kenilworth (June 1), Long Valley (June 8), Clifton (June 14), Hackettstown (June 15/July 20) and Egg Harbor (June 29). Check their schedule for more information including location and price.
There are a few simple rules, including BYOM (bring your own mat), no treats allowed for the dogs, and reserve your space in advance. No dogs other than the rescues are allowed,d and no spectators. These events are recommended for ages 12,+ though children who can behave appropriately are welcome with a legal guardian.
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