Rescue Network’s puppy yoga expands to bigger space after surge of interest

It turns out that puppies and yoga definitely mesh.

Rescue Network and Crunch Fitness have started collaborating to offer yoga with puppies — and it’s taking off in a big way.

Rescue Network originally did puppy yoga a few years ago with Ignite Infrared Fitness Studio at WoodGrain Brewing Co.

“You always see things like goat yoga, and we thought why not do the same thing with our pups,” said Lexa Rahn, Rescue Network’s South Dakota event coordinator. “Our last session at WoodGrain, we had Ashley from Crunch teach our session, and we were really cramped for space.”

With the event’s popularity, it was time to find a larger space. The last weekend of the month event now will take place at Crunch Fitness on Louise Avenue, Rahn said.

“We have over 200 animals in our rescue at pretty much all times between our fosters in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa,” Rahn said. “We do not have a physical location, so we rely on foster homes for our animals. All puppies at the events are up for adoption.”

Participants can sign up through links on Facebook or flyers at Crunch Fitness. The plan is to host puppy yoga the last weekend of the month — usually a Saturday at noon.

“The rescue crisis is never-ending, and we are always looking for more fosters so we can help more animals,” Rahn said. “The turnout has been great, and we are anticipating the continued growth of this event and exposure for our rescue.”