Weird yoga surge: giving, puppies, snakes
New yoga offerings are popping up: Toronto instructor Ashley Dyment launched The Giving Retreat blending yoga with community service; Hattiesburg held a 45‑minute 'puppy yoga' event followed by playtime; and Portland’s HISSS studio is running 'snake yoga' sessions for a meditative, animal‑centric experience Toronto Yoga Instructor Launches “The Giving Retreat” To Combine Wellness Travel And Charitable Giving - Yoga Poses, Pranayama, Meditation, Benefits & - Www.topyogaworld.com Hattiesburg Hot Yoga, Hub City Humane Society host ‘Puppy Yoga’ Over puppy yoga? Try it with snakes. - OPB.
The Giving Retreat launched) via a March 12, 2026 press release positioning founder Ashley Dyment’s new wellness-travel company as a purpose-driven model that pairs yoga and mindfulness with built-in charitable impact. (newswire.ca) Dyment’s initiative is explicitly tied to her Toronto teaching roots — participants are expected to come from studios like YogaSpace, Pinewood Pilates and 889 Yoga — and the launch materials say the concept was “inspired by” the children’s book The Giving Tree and aims at women-focused retreats. (topyogaworld.com) Hattiesburg’s event on March 15, 2026 was organized by Hattiesburg Hot Yoga in partnership with the Hub City Humane Society, with organizers noting that the session doubled as an adoption showcase and that proceeds benefit the shelter. (msn.com) Event listings and local coverage show the Hattiesburg class was advertised at 4400 Hardy Street Suite A16 and that the puppies present were available for adoption to increase shelter placement exposure. (happeningnext.com) HISSS Reptile Shop in Portland has been running snake-yoga nights since at least October 2025 and currently lists recurring $40 sessions through late March 2026 on its booking page. (a-z-animals.com) Local reporting and radio features describe HISSS classes as staffed by handlers, featuring pythons, a baby Colombian boa named Mango, a tegu, geckos and a tortoise called Pebbles, with organizers stressing safety protocols and saying many attendees are reptile fans while others come to confront fears. (opb.org)
