Ever since I saw the local Doga group dog yoga session here in San Diego, I’ve been fascinated by the idea of dogs and yoga. Heck, even Bo the Presidential dog‘s gotten in on the act.
Now, I watched that Bo video as well as the video of the San Diego ‘doga’ session, and I can’t for the life of me figure out how the heck they got that many dogs to hold that still. I guess having a group of 15 pound dogs helps. In the spirit of adventure, I tried some of the stuff they recommended in that Martha Stewart video with Brody the 70 pound crazy boy, and I got trampled. It was not relaxing at all. So, I gave up on doga.
THEN I gave him a bath.
Little did I realize I had it wrong all along! I couldn’t do doga by forcing Brody to do these positions. Instead, he functions as an exceptional yoga accessory in his very own way, as long as I let him do it on his own terms. For us, doga happens at the bath. Dog Bath Hatha = Datha yoga. You can do it too.
Balancing Stick Pose – Tuladandasana
Attempt to take dog into bathroom for bath. Transfer your weight onto the forward leg, and in one smooth motion, bend over to a 90 degree angle, making a perfect T. Allow your dog’s run for the hills to pull your shoulders into a deep stretch while simultaneously reaching your other leg towards the bathtub in a counterbalance. Breathe.
Fixed Firm Pose- Supta-Vajrasana
Sitting on the floor, hold your wet dog to you while stretching forward towards your toes. Use your dog’s leaning to pull you more into the stretch. Ignore the discomfort of the damp dog smell in your face. Meditate.
Triangle Pose – Trikanasana
Turn your right toes at a 90 degree angle and lean down into your right hip. Bend your right hand down to your dog to keep them from bolting out of the bathroom while reaching your left hand up to the towel that you have conveniently left just out of reach. Reach, reach, reach for the ceiling and the towel. Keep your left hip back and your dog in the tub.
Awkward Pose – Utkatasana
As your dog prepares for “I’m gonna shake all over you” posture (Shakallovastana), gesture in futility. Separate your feet hip width apart and sit back like you’re sitting in a chair, blocking the oncoming onslaught by holding your hands at shoulder height. Put your weight into your heels. Brace.
Half Moon Pose -Ardha-Chandrasana
When your dog starts to shake water droplets and loose hair all over the bathroom, use your lateral abdominal muscles to lean away from the dog. Lean deep to the side, keeping your chin away from the flying hair and your elbows close to your ears. Breathe. Sigh.
Dead Body – Savasana
Collapse on the floor in an exhausted heap while your dog gloats over your corpselike form. Enjoy your meditation.
Who knew that with three dogs and their baths I was getting my recommended weekly allowance of activity! Doga ROCKS!
I’m laughing so hard I’m crying over here! Thanks for the great start to my day. Definitely going to keep these poses in mind for our next dog bath day, lol.
HA! You are sooo clever! love it š
This is fantastic! I’m pretty sure I go through every one of these poses during bathtime.
I absolutely loved this blog post. Keep it up!
LMAO!!! I think I did this just last week, and didn’t even know it!
Interesting. I may have to start this esp with my older dog. Thanks for the images, they make it more understandable.
This is great! I must remind myself next bath time to be more mindful with my frantic attempts at keeping dog in tub, water in tub…errrr…I mean, poses. š
Next on this list: Judo with cats. How to use holds and throws to successfully bathe your cat, put her in a carrier, administer medicine or ointment, trim her claws, or prevent her from jumping off the 2nd story banister. The goal in all these exercises is not relaxation, but instead to walk away with the least amount of injuries to you and your psyche.
LOVE the pictures! Especially the water flying! š
this is hilarious!
Bwaahahahahahahaha! (ps. to Hope- i am convinced all cats are ninijas in disquise).
Now I know what to tell my doc. when we talk about exercise!
Oh wow! I had no idea I was so good at doga!
Darn it! I knew I was doing it all wrong!
Thank you for these wonderful tips:) LOL great one!!
LOVE it! š
LOL, this is awesome! Wow, I didn’t know I did yoga! LOL
Hilarious!
Just hopped over from the blog hop – funniest thing I’ve see all day! š
LOL, all this time I’ve been getting my daily yoga in, my greyhound has been doing me a favor!
I still love your blog best of all.
I found you through the Pet Blogger Hop. I really love the design of your blog. And for the yoga… I’m going to turn this into catoga and exercise with my cat š
Yes, that’s definitely more like it.
I tried to do a yoga workout in my office yesterday morning with Honey in the room. That’s how I found out she’s now tall enough to put her paws on my shoulders. Hmmmm, I don’t think being a prop for your dog to jump in is quite what it’s all about.
I sure got a good laugh out of the positions and the sketches. What fun you must have had with this post!
Tanner and I want to invite you to the Super Dog Sunday Blog Hop. It’s a football-themed photo post. You can read more here: http://www.allthingsdogblog.com/2011/01/why-join-in-super-dog-sunday-blog-hop.html
Wow, I know yoga! Who’da thunk it! Hysterical post, love the stick figures too! Thanks. – Janet
Hi Y’all,
From my point of view my Human is definitely NOT getting the proper exercise! I haven’t had a bath all winter!
Hawk aka BrownDog
Found you on the Blog Hop… and way cool post! Absolutely love the stick figures for the doga yoga poses. What a great idea! Makes me want to try it right now! Job well done š