NEW YORK, New York: If you're looking for a way to maximize your dog's physical and spiritual wellbeing, then you're looking for doga.
No, doga isn't a character from Star Wars - it's actually the name given to yoga classes for dogs. Seriously.
Yoga has literally gone to the dogs. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, just like their owners dogs need quiet time to de-stress, find inner peace, and get their chakras flowing. They need to harmonize their mind, body, and soul to achieve oneness with the universe. Well OK, maybe not.
However yoga for dogs is actually the real deal. The concept of doggy yoga, or doga, was started by Suzi Teitelman, an experienced yoga instructor and huge fan of Coali, her cocker spaniel. She found that he was constantly trying to join in her yoga sessions, and so came up with the idea of developing a yoga style which encouraged this.
People already dance with dogs, leave them millions of dollars, and even marry them, so perhaps doga isn't such a great leap of the imagination. Suzi, throwing caution to the wind, encouraged Coali to try many different yoga positions. When she saw that her dog actually loved yoga and is a natural 'dogi' (canine yogi, or yoga practitioner), she quickly shared her discovery with other pet owners.
After only a few years, doga has already stretched its paws across the US and is said to even have reached London and Australia. Today, more and more instructors are teaching doga and more and more dogs are becoming certified dogis.
However is doga just another example of fanatic dog lovers humanizing their pets? Since dogs cannot really understand the concept of physical, spiritual, and mental enlightenment, why practice doga at all?
"It is one way of strengthening the bond between the owner and the dog. You and your dog can become closer by doing the poses together," said Suzi Teitelman.
Animal therapist Dan Thomas told BBC News: "The dog and the owner are in-synch. Their breathing pattern is one and the same. Really amazing."
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“Dogs are a natural at yoga. In fact, some of the most common yoga poses and stretches are inspired from animals.”
Animal therapist Dan Thomas
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So relationships are strengthened and bonds become deeper, according to some experts. But how do the canines themselves feel about humans contorting their doggy bodies to different positions? Amazingly, they don't get hurt. As Tietelman puts it, "Dogs are a natural at yoga. In fact, some of the most common yoga poses and stretches are inspired from animals. It's their natural instinct and I just bring it out through doga."
While there are no specific studies measuring the benefits of yoga for dogs, yogis swear that their dogis' over-all health and well-being have really improved since they started doga.
"My dog Tango has always been a grumpy pooch, but now, he is becoming more fun to live with at home," Claire Margarson told BBC News.
Tietelman added that dogis are more relaxed. They sleep better through the night and recover more strength for the next day. They smile more, as well. Plus, they love the one-on-one attention that they get from their owners.
The yoga Sanskrit means "to unite". Taken literally, doga indeed unites pet owners with their furry companions with a bond that could withstand almost anything.
My little doggy always stretches when she wakes up from her nap. I see her doing different stretches. amazingly, there are a lot! but i would not want to subject my dog into this doga. They do it on their own, why force them to do it?
i'm really fascinated with this. i would like to see one of her yoga classes in person and see if it will give my dog a better disposition. i hope it's not too expensive though.
dog dancing is okay but i think i like this one better. yoga relaxes the soul and it is a good and healthy way to bond with you pet plus it is something that will benefit them more than say.. dog beer or jeweled collars or ridiculous amounts of money
Ok. Dogs and yoga. Do they have to say "ommm....ommm..." too? LOL!
this is crazy! people will really do anything just to make a quick buck. i wonder what will they think of next? aerobics for dogs?
yoga for humans is expensive and yoga with dogs are harder (i think) so don't get ur hopes up i think this is expensive.
Poor dogs. Made to sit around while kids read boring stories and made to do cheesy dance steps and made to jump out of helicopters and made to wed and made to mate with other breeds and made to.. aah. In short humanized. Tsk.
Hey.. cats are famous for their many types of stretches, especially after waking up from a cat nap. I'm sure most of the stretches in doga were taken from cat stretches and cat poses. Dogs get to do all the fun stuff. But I'm still a major cat lover =)
I'm a big fan of yoga, having practicing it for a few years now. It really relaxes me and centers me. I've heard about this yoga with dogs. I don't want to try it 'cos yoga is my time away from everything. Doing such with a dog defeats the whole purpose of yoga. lol
this is hilarious! what will they think of next? lol lol
Mr. Parsons of alabama: I am with you in that sentiment. People just do not know where to draw the line when it comes to pet ownership. Next thing you knw there will be a sch set up for pets vocabulary. lol
this oriental medicine is really intriguing. well, i guess if it's good for people then it must be good for dogs too.
hey as long as the yoga teacher is sexy and pretty, i wouldn't mind bringing my dog for some yoga. lol
No not really. what is good for people is not automaticaly good for dogs.
I think this activity is only for certain dogs. For really large dogs, you wont be able to reach them and make them bend or stretch. They are soooo strong! lol! for small dogs, well, you'd get a lot of bending exercises coz you really have to bend to the ground to let them do yoga! lol
i would have to agree with Megan. not everything that's good for people are also good for dogs. there are actually quite a number of foods that are poisonous for dogs like chocolates.
i think this would be impossible to do with a cat. they would just be running around the floor and goofing around.
this is a great way to meet chicks. LOL! Seriously, i don't think this is at all necessary. It's just one of the many ways people humanize their pets. Not a good idea at all.
i wonder if they can also think of yoga classes for cats...hmmmm. although i think it would be impossible. you'd just end up getting scratches all over your body! :P
why would you want to make a cat do yoga?
that's why i personally prefer cats over dogs. dogs need a lot of exercise like this yoga thing but cats can just run around the house and jump over anything. that's enough exercise for them. dogs on the other hand, you have to walk or run with them just for them to get the exercise that they need.
is this dog yoga only for dogs or are they developing yoga for other animals as well? just a thought....
well, i don't think it would be possible for horses Nadine but there are horse therapy massages to relieve your horses' aches and pains.
it's really quite amazing how all of these new things are suddenly emerging all for the benefit of our beloved pets. pet lovers UNITE! lol
Now this is rather interesting. I have horses. No, we don't practice yoga, but stretching is beneficial for their health especially when they have work to do. So i guess with dogs, this is good for their muscles too.