Puppy Yoga

​Someone rang me once to ask if I could stand in and teach a 'Puppy Yoga' class. I love yoga, and I love puppies, and of course I was tempted as it just seemed so curious (and fun!). Who wouldn't want to see the hilarious antics of puppies messing around. The basic idea is that you go to a yoga class in a room with a bunch of free-roaming puppies. They lighten the mood, warm your heart, and give you a much needed fuzzy glow. Puppies do that everytime. Yoga does that every time. Mix them both and Bingo! - right? 
 
My dog was a puppy a few years ago, so as I thought through this premise, I remembered something key about puppies that wasn't as cute. They aren't toilet-trained.
 
My puppy was 5-months old before she finally twigged. So I have fond memories of this. Not only do they 'go' a lot, they usually like to go on something. They prefer not to just do it on the plain floor, they head for something. A piece of newspaper, a puppy pad, a clump of grass - anything. And in a yoga studio, all there would be is your yoga mat.
 
You could teach a good yoga class here with these materials. But perhaps not in the warm and fuzzy way that was expected...
 
Yes, having fun in downward facing dog with a puppy beneath you, forgetting to breathe and laughing out loud would be great. Puppies remind you to rediscover joy - they are fully joyful and it is contagious. (Put aside the animal welfare issues for one second, hard I know, Italy has banned Puppy Yoga for exactly this reason). 
 
But the best teaching would be... how to find the true joy of yoga, the real and lasting joy in this moment, no matter what is going on around you. Puppies, no puppies, even damp patches on your mat. It's all good - as long as you don't over-think it and your mind doesn't take over with judgements and thoughts about the inevitable clean-up.
 
This is one of yoga's most valuable teachings and most valuable practices.
 
It is at the very beginning of the ancient text, the Yoga Sutra. It is front and centre of yoga teaching yet often overlooked. It is as simple as breathing, as obvious as opening your eyes, yet we are oblivious to the availability of present-moment joy, because we overthink, judge and rely on the contents of our experience going our way - rather than the quality of our state of mind. 
 
Changing the contents of our life, or our choice of yoga pose, isn't what makes anyone happy. Adding puppies, finally achieving the long-sought-after 'hard' posture, easing the achey hip etc.. Whatever it is you are after from your practice is worth pursuing if it keeps you showing up each day - but it isn't what will ultimately satisfy you. 
 
What will satisfy you, now and always, is worth discovering. How to find complete contentment, peace and joy in each moment as it unfolds, whether it is objectively pleasant or unpleasant. Whether it involves a puppy or a damp patch.
 
The teachings, practice and experience of yoga offers lasting insights into this. Initially in glimpses, perhaps at the end of our practice, or during our weekend yoga retreat. These glimpses graduallly become more reliably available, and become more and more integrated into daily life. We discover increasing equanimity, patience, peace and happiness. It sounds cheesy, because its been sung about and written about through the ages. It has lasted because it is true. 
 
Lasting happiness isn't found in circumstances, or in other people or things. It is found right here, where you are, no matter what is happening.
Puppy or no puppy.