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By Rachael O'Connor
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The internet has fallen head-over-heels for a tiny puppy who discovered his own reflection and instantly tried to engage it in play.
As the old warning goes, you shouldn't work with children or animals—but one business has turned that on its head, as it operates a number of puppy yoga classes.
Muskoka Puppy Yoga is based in Ontario, Canada, and combines "gentle, beginner-friendly yoga with the healing presence of puppies from ethical, loving breeders," business owner Erin Gorrie, 49, told Newsweek.
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As she put it: "It can definitely be hard to concentrate with puppies running around, but that's kind of the point."
A video from a recent class has now gone mega viral after a staff member shared a clip to the business' Instagram page, @muskokapuppyyoga, on April 6.
In it, a yoga instructor attempts to lead the class, but things have gone adorably awry as one mini goldendoodle puppy escapes from the group and does its own thing, running towards the giant mirror at the top of the class.
Gorrie described it to Newsweek: "The studio we were using had floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and as soon as that one little pup caught sight of himself, it was game on, bouncing, pawing, and trying to play with his reflection like it was a brand new friend."
In the video, as soon as the puppy sees its reflection, it bounds towards it and jumps up at the mirror trying to play.
It falls, but immediately gets up and starts jumping at the reflection again and again, using its paws and mouth to try and engage with the puppy in the mirror.
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At the same time, the instructor is trying to carry on with her instructions—but as the class dissolves into giggles, she acknowledges the "entertainment" happening behind her.
"The entire class burst into laughter," Gorrie said. "It was one of those perfect, unfiltered moments that captured the joy we feel in every session, the kind of spontaneous, heart-lifting energy that happens when people and puppies come together in the most genuine way."
Instagram users were in stitches, awarding the video more than 1 million likes and 11 million views, as one commenter admitted: "I kind of feel sorry for the instructor. There's no way I'm not watching that dog."
"He's both winning and losing," another laughed, as one animal lover declared: "Whatever he is doing, I am with him."
"Talk about being your own worst enemy," one user pointed out, as another praised the clip as being "the dose of serotonin I needed today."
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Gorrie said the situation "captured everything I love about what we do: pure joy, curiosity and connection."
Describing Muskoka Puppy Yoga's work, Gorrie—a former police officer—said their classes are "rooted in supporting mental wellness through the healing presence of puppies and gentle movement.
"For many of our participants, especially those navigating stress, burnout, grief, or PTSD, the lightness and laughter the puppies bring is truly therapeutic."
While there have been past concerns about puppies in yoga classes, Gorrie added that in their case, the puppies are "gently and safely exposed to new sounds, people, and environments during a key developmental window. It builds confidence and trust before they go to their forever homes."
According to an American Psychiatric Association's Healthy Minds Monthly Poll in 2023, 86 percent of respondents said their pets had a mostly positive impact on their mental health.
The respondents cited reduced stress and anxiety, companionship, a calming presence, and unconditional love and support as some of the reasons their pets had a positive effect on their mental health.
In Gorrie's case, she admitted her first-ever puppy yoga class "brought me back to myself. It reminded me what peace could feel like. Now, through Muskoka Puppy Yoga, I get to share that with others."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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