So, you've booked Puppy Yoga.
Now comes an unexpectedly important question:
What on earth do you wear to a yoga class where several curious puppies will be wandering around you?
The obvious answer is comfortable yoga clothes.
The more accurate answer is:
Comfortable yoga clothes that you're emotionally prepared to share with puppies.
Because puppies have very different opinions about fashion.
From our experience hosting Puppy Yoga with rescue puppies, anything that moves, dangles, swings or can potentially be pulled is immediately more interesting.
Tassels? Excellent.
Loops? Even better.
Dangling drawstrings? Clearly designed for puppies.
A beautifully tied bow on your shoe? You may think it's decorative. A puppy may consider it an invitation.
And your ponytail?
We'll get to that.
What Should You Wear to Puppy Yoga?
Start with what you'd normally wear for a relaxed yoga class.
Leggings, comfortable trousers, a T-shirt, sports top or anything else that allows you to move easily will usually work perfectly.
Puppy Yoga isn't the occasion to worry about looking like you've stepped out of a yoga catalogue.
You'll be moving, sitting and lying on the floor – while puppies explore around you.
So comfort wins.
And preferably choose clothes that won't cause a personal crisis if a tiny puppy tooth happens to make contact with them.
The Golden Puppy Yoga Rule: If It Dangles, They Want It
After spending enough time around puppies, you start noticing a pattern.
Things that don't move?
Moderately interesting.
Things that swing?
Absolutely fascinating.
Loose cords, tassels, pompoms, loops and anything else hanging from your clothes can suddenly become irresistible.
A puppy doesn't know that the little decorative tassel on your hoodie is part of your outfit.
They see something moving at exactly puppy-eye level.
Naturally, it must be investigated.
Usually with teeth.
If you love an item of clothing and would be upset if something got pulled, leave it at home.
If it dangles, assume a puppy may have an opinion about it.
Be Careful With Buttons, Bows and Shoelaces
Shoes deserve their own warning.
Especially shoes with bows, decorative loops or long laces.
From a puppy's perspective, shoelaces are apparently one of humanity's greatest inventions.
You move your foot.
The lace moves.
The puppy notices.
Game on.
Buttons can attract attention too, particularly if they're large or easy to reach while you're sitting or lying on your mat.
Again, this doesn't mean your clothes are destined for destruction.
It simply means you should remember who you're sharing the yoga space with.
Tiny, curious creatures who investigate first and ask questions never.
And Then There Is Your Hair...
Long hair is another Puppy Yoga favourite.
Especially ponytails and braids.
The moment you're lying down, your hair suddenly becomes conveniently accessible.
A ponytail moves.
A braid looks suspiciously similar to something designed for pulling.
And a curious puppy may decide to investigate.
So if you have long hair, you have two choices.
Keep it secured and out of reach as much as possible.
Or accept that at some point during Puppy Yoga, a tiny nose – or tiny teeth – may become interested in it.
We've had puppies investigate ears, faces and ponytails the moment participants lie down on their mats.
Personal space is not necessarily a concept puppies have mastered yet.
Don't Wear Your Favourite Expensive Yoga Outfit
This is probably our most practical advice.
You don't need to wear old clothes.
But Puppy Yoga might not be the best occasion for the brand-new expensive leggings you've been protecting with your life.
Puppies explore with their mouths.
Sometimes they nibble.
Sometimes they pull.
Sometimes they step on you with little paws.
And occasionally something that started the class as yoga equipment ends it looking suspiciously like a puppy toy.
Most participants leave Puppy Yoga with their clothes perfectly intact.
But there are no guarantees when puppies are involved.
Wear something you like.
Just not something you'd be devastated to lose a button from.
What About Jewellery?
Keep it simple.
Large dangling earrings, long necklaces and bracelets with hanging charms can be tempting to curious puppies – particularly when you're close to the floor.
Small, secure jewellery is generally the more puppy-friendly option.
And anything particularly valuable is probably better left somewhere safe.
The same rule applies again:
If it dangles, assume a puppy may have an opinion about it.
Socks or Bare Feet?
This may depend on the class and venue.
But if you're wearing socks around puppies, remember that socks themselves can occasionally become interesting.
Especially if you're sitting on the floor.
Especially if they're fluffy.
And especially if a puppy has decided that your foot needs investigating.
Whatever you choose, comfort matters more than looking perfect.
Puppy Yoga is not a fashion show.
What NOT to Wear to Puppy Yoga
If we had to create a Puppy Yoga fashion blacklist, it would look something like this:
Avoid anything with lots of loose tassels, pompoms, hanging cords or decorative loops.
Think twice about delicate fabrics that snag easily.
Be cautious with dangling jewellery.
Don't wear shoes with elaborate bows or decorations if you'd like them to remain elaborate.
And perhaps don't arrive with your most precious designer yoga outfit.
Not because something will happen.
But because Puppy Yoga is considerably more fun when you aren't spending the entire class protecting your clothes from puppies.
The Best Puppy Yoga Outfit Is One You Can Forget About
This is ultimately the most important point.
You shouldn't spend Puppy Yoga worrying about your outfit.
You should be able to sit on your mat, move, laugh, cuddle a puppy and completely forget whether everything still looks perfect.
Because something probably won't look perfect.
Your hair might be slightly messier.
There may be puppy hair on your leggings.
Your carefully tied shoelace may have been untied by someone weighing four kilograms.
And you may discover that the decorative tassel you thought was cute was apparently the highlight of somebody else's afternoon.
That's part of the fun.
Puppy Yoga isn't about perfection.
Not perfect poses.
Not perfect hair.
And definitely not perfect outfits.
Wear something comfortable.
Keep dangling temptations to a minimum.
Leave anything extremely precious at home.
And then enjoy the puppies.
Ready for Your First Puppy Yoga Class?
Now that you know what to wear, there's only one thing left to prepare for:
The puppies.
If you've never tried Puppy Yoga before, read our guide to what to expect from a Puppy Yoga class – including what actually happens when the puppies join you on the mat.
And if one hour with puppies doesn't sound like nearly enough?
At our Puppy Yoga Retreat in Cyprus, you can make a whole week of it.
Just remember to pack puppy-friendly clothes.
You'll probably need them.
