3 Ways Pawlates Boosts Both Your Mental Wellness

1. For You: It’s a “No-Distraction” Break from the Chaos

Let’s face it: Most days, your brain is stuck in “go mode”—answering emails, planning meals, worrying about tomorrow. Pawlates forces you to hit pause—and your dog is the perfect accountability partner. When you’re in a session, you can’t scroll your phone or overthink work—you’re too busy checking if your dog is comfortable, syncing your breath to your movements, and staying present. This “mindful focus” is like a mini-meditation: A 2023 survey of Pawlates members found that 82% reported feeling “mentally reset” after class, compared to 56% after a solo gym session. One member, Ryan, put it best: “When I’m holding a Bridge Pose and my dog, Ziggy, is curled up on my feet, I don’t think about my to-do list. I just think about how warm he is, and how my body feels. It’s the only time all day I’m truly ‘off.’”

2. For Your Dog: It Eases Anxiety (and Boredom)

Dogs get stressed too—whether from being home alone all day, loud noises, or just too much pent-up energy. Pawlates solves two big triggers: boredom and uncertainty. The gentle movement gives them a job to do (even if it’s just lying next to you and watching) , and the predictable routine of class helps anxious pups feel safe. Take Bailey, Theo’s dog: “Bailey used to pace all night after I worked late,” Theo says. “Now we go to evening Pawlates—she lies on my mat during class, and by the time we get home, she’s calm enough to sleep through the night. The routine and the quiet focus fix her anxiety way better than any toy.” Even hyper puppies benefit: Short bursts of watching you move (and occasional gentle play breaks) tire their brains, which is just as important as tiring their bodies.

3. Together: It Builds a “Calm Ritual” That Sticks

Mental wellness thrives on routine—and Pawlates becomes a ritual both of you look forward to. When you show up to class at the same time each week, your dog starts to associate that time with comfort (your presence, the quiet studio) , and you start to associate it with relief (no work, no stress, just you and them) . Over time, this ritual spills into other parts of your day: You might find yourself breathing more slowly when you’re cuddling them on the couch, or they might settle faster when they see you winding down for the night. It’s not just about the 45 minutes in class—it’s about the calm that lingers long after you roll up your mat. As one member put it: “Pawlates didn’t just make me less stressed—it made us less stressed. We’re both happier when we have that time together.”