In the city, you can never run out of things to do. A quick Google search can point you to gyms specific to every martial art or discipline, wellness studios, and even marathon or yoga events—all of it, just a ride away from you. And if you’re looking to give yourself an hour of inner peace with a fluffy twist, ZenPaws might have something for you.
Yoga consistently demonstrates the profound impact of mindful movement, not only on one’s physical health and mobility, but also on their mental well-being. Add some puppies to your session, and your heart is also enraptured. Puppy Yoga is just like your favorite Vinyasa flow or Ashtanga class, but with puppies walking around the studio as you flow into your poses.
Studies have been made proving that interaction with puppies and animal companions in general lowers blood pressure and decreases stress hormones. ZenPaws aims for the yoga practitioners’ wellness, but also for the puppies. Socializing the puppies in a calm and safe environment, like a yoga class, offers mental stimulation to the puppies that may also improve their health and wellness.
Two Passions In One
“Discovering puppy yoga enabled us to explore and materialize all the possibilities related to mindful fitness and animal welfare, something that wouldn’t typically go together.” — Nicole Quirante
Sisters Monique and Nicole Quirante of Stacia Hotel are animal lovers at heart. Monique is a freelance videographer who likes to dance and box, while Nicole is an introverted fur mom who dedicates much of her time caring for their fur babies if she’s not helping out in the family business or working out in their home gym. Monique admits that they’re more into active and upbeat fitness routines, but yoga suddenly made more sense when they added puppies to the formula.
“Discovering puppy yoga enabled us to explore and materialize all the possibilities related to mindful fitness and animal welfare, something that wouldn’t typically go together. But we want to make our mark with this, because it’s something we are equally passionate about,” Nicole adds.
Being dog and cat owners to both rescues and purebreds, they created Zenpaws to share this love and curiosity for pets, and for the animals to connect with yoga practitioners open to it. ZenPaws is an extension of gratitude and appreciation to the sisters’ pets and how they have helped them emotionally, mentally, and physically.
A Pet-Friendly Haven with a Heart
Stacia is a pet-friendly hotel, and there’s nowhere else more perfect to hold the first ever ZenPaws event but there. In collaboration with various kennel groups in Cebu—MARO (Mayari Animal Rescue), an animal shelter based in Guadalupe, being the first of their kennel collabs—they held their first puppy yoga event last July 20. “They are an amazing, proactive shelter that truly inspires us. But their growing number of rescues means higher expenses, which we want to help ease by donating a portion of our profits from ZenPaws,” Nicole says. Some of the puppies present in the yoga class are also ready for adoption.
“It’s not just puppy interaction and adoption that makes our yoga unique—ZenPaws is the total package.” — Monique Quirante
A puppy yoga class is just like any other relaxing yoga routine. The students follow the routine while puppies roam and play about the room. Now, your yoga session isn’t just calming, it’s also full of childlike and innocent joy. “It’s not just puppy interaction and adoption that makes our yoga unique—ZenPaws is the total package. We give our guests the opportunity to find new friends and even furbabies, as well as enjoy a rewarding meal of their choice from Estiatorio here in Stacia,” Monique explains.
Nicole adds that at ZenPaws, participants and puppies mutually benefit from each session. It’s a guaranteed calm and joyful experience, as they socialize in a new but safe environment. Their session is also a safe space for people who are still hesitant about getting a pet or have a fear of dogs. Every class contributes to a charitable initiative.
Besides their collaborations with the local animal shelters, ZenPaws also paired up with another pet-loving brand, Touf. An athleisure brand inspired by the owner’s dog Tofu and their passion for movement. Touf sells yoga mats and athleisure wear. Nicole recommends their premium yoga mats that are thick enough for support, and their cute tops. Touf has a pop-up during ZenPaws events.
Being in The Moment
For yoga enthusiasts and animal lovers alike, Nicole leaves a reminder to simply enjoy being in the moment. Life goes pretty fast, so reserve some time for yourself, and also for your little loved ones or animals you have and have yet to meet, whose lives are unfortunately shorter—so let’s make it happier.
For updates on upcoming classes, new puppies, and more, follow @zenpaws.ph on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Events are held at Stacia Hotel, Banilad, Cebu City.
Photography Kyrra Kho
