A new "puppy yoga" business has opened in the city.

Yogi Paws hosts events at The Knoll Centre in Old Shoreham Road, Hove, and began its first classes in February.

People have a conventional yoga session before the puppies go into the studio where they wander around freely.

The business, believed to be the first of its kind in Sussex, is owned by Brighton residents Brandon Mojica, 25, and Hayley Bianco, 24.

The pair, who own two dogs, said it was their love of canines that inspired them to set it up.

They told The Argus: "There isn’t a person who isn’t beaming with smiles after getting a dose of that magic chemistry between dogs and humans when they interact."

READ MORE: Vintage market returns to city centre after five years

They hold three sessions on each event day to make sure the puppies do not get too tired. Each event involves a different breed and so far have been with French bulldogs, labradors and huskies.

The Argus: The classes are held on various dates

The yoga sessions begin with a 20-minute traditional yoga routine, led by expert instructor Kayla Becher, followed by 20 minutes of continued yoga exercise with puppies wandering around the studio.

The final 20 minutes are for cuddling and playing with the puppies, with the dogs then given a separate room to rest and sleep in before the next session.

The owners said all the puppies come from Sussex and are visited in their homes beforehand.

They make sure they are from loving families who have bred them safely and that owners provide proof of first vaccinations to ensure they are safe and healthy.

The Argus: There is time at the end of sessions to play with the puppies

The puppies take part in these sessions before they move on to their forever homes away from their mothers.

More information can be found at https://www.instagram.com/yogipawss/.

Brandon and Hayley said they wanted to base the business in Brighton as it is a "city of dog lovers" and the sessions benefit both humans and dogs.

They said: "In this fast-paced and fast-moving time, it’s often easy to put spending time looking after the mind aside. But it’s absolutely necessary to do this.

The Argus: The puppies are all visited at their homes before they come in for the sessions

"A puppy yoga session allows for mindful practice, a time when people can benefit from being very much in the present moment as opposed to being carried away by the hustle and bustle and rush of everyday life.

"We’ve absolutely seen first hand that puppy yoga has enormous benefits for people and pups alike.

"It is a valuable experience for puppies to interact with people for the first time in a quiet, peaceful and tranquil environment. Puppies benefit from socialisation and the bonding experiences with new people.


"The puppies also thrive in this environment, where everything and everyone is new and exciting to them.

"They love seeing themselves in the mirrors for the first time, sprinting from yoga mat to yoga mat, and figuring out whether hair scrunchies that are still in people’s hair are toys meant for them.

"The puppies soak up the affection and love they get from everyone."