DOGA YOGA
FUN AND INNOVATIVE YOGA
Written by Valentine
Collapsible content
Reading time
10 to 15 minutes
DISCOVER DOGA YOGA
YOGA WITH YOUR TRUSTED FRIEND
Doga Yoga, or yoga for dogs, is a practice that combines traditional yoga postures (asanas) with exercises adapted for dogs.
This method allows dog owners to practice yoga while including their pet in the exercises, creating a shared experience and a deeper connection between human and dog.
Doga Yoga is ideal for those who enjoy practicing yoga with their pet and want to strengthen the bond with their dog while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of yoga.
CONTEMPORARY ORIGINS OF DOGA YOGA
Doga Yoga , often simply referred to as Doga , is an innovative yoga practice that incorporates pets , more specifically dogs , into yoga sessions. This concept originated in the early 2000s in the United States , when yoga and wellness enthusiasts began experimenting with the idea of including their pets in their daily yoga sessions. One of the pioneers of this practice is Suzi Teitelman , a New York City-based yoga instructor, who popularized Doga in 2002 after noticing that her dog enjoyed joining her during her yoga sessions. Since then, the practice has grown in popularity, quickly spreading across the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world.
Doga is based on the principle that dogs, like humans, can benefit from the relaxation and harmony that yoga offers. In this practice, dogs do not necessarily perform the yoga postures themselves, but are integrated into the practice as partners. They may be lifted , carried , or guided into certain simple postures, or simply relax next to their owners during the session. The goal is to create a moment of complicity and connection between owner and pet, while enjoying the calming and harmonizing benefits of yoga.
Historically, the bond between humans and animals is a millennia-old relationship , often associated with healing and well-being. In some spiritual traditions, animals are considered to be beings endowed with a particular spiritual energy , and the presence of a pet during meditative or healing practices has often been perceived as beneficial. Doga, although a modern practice, draws on this ancestral connection between humans and animals, providing a space where the relationship of affection and trust can flourish, while allowing the owner to strengthen their own physical and mental balance .
Doga Yoga is an evolution of traditional yoga , particularly inspired by styles like Hatha Yoga or Vinyasa Yoga , which emphasize fluidity of movement and conscious breathing . However, the specificity of Doga lies in the sharing of energy between man and animal. This practice is less focused on physical performance and more on relaxation , emotional connection and sharing a moment of calm and well-being with your four-legged companion.
In terms of benefits, Doga not only allows human practitioners to benefit from the positive effects of yoga, such as stress reduction, improved flexibility , and mental focus , but it also provides benefits for dogs. Animals, just like humans, experience calming in moments of relaxation and can also benefit from a stronger emotional bond with their owners. Doga is also a way to improve dog socialization , as it is often practiced in groups, where several owners and their dogs come together to share a collective session.
Since its inception, Doga has enjoyed great success in major cities and has become a popular practice in many wellness retreats and yoga centers around the world. It is part of a larger holistic wellness movement, which emphasizes the idea that physical, mental, and emotional well-being is not just for humans, but also for the animals who share their lives . Additionally, the practice of Doga echoes the yogic philosophy of ahimsa , or nonviolence , which advocates respect and love for all living beings.
In short, Doga Yoga is a playful , comforting , and deeply meaningful practice that strengthens not only the practitioner's body and mind, but also their relationship with their pet. It offers a unique yoga experience centered on connection , presence , and unconditional love between owner and dog.
HOW A DOGA YOGA SESSION WORKS
A Doga Yoga (yoga with dogs) session is structured to integrate both the owner and their dog into a harmonious, gentle, and playful practice. The main objective is to strengthen the bond between owner and pet , while enjoying the benefits of yoga. Each Doga Yoga session takes place in a spirit of connection and sharing , where postures are adapted to include dogs, whether they are active in the poses or simply present alongside their owners. The session is often imbued with lightness and play, while respecting the principles of conscious breathing and relaxation .
Doga typically begins with a welcoming moment, where participants take the time to settle down on their mat with their dog, in order to create a calm and soothing environment for the animal. Here is a typical flow of a Doga session, including the 10 main postures adapted to this unique practice:
- Sukhasana (Easy Pose) : Sitting cross-legged, the owner and dog take a few moments to breathe deeply and connect. The pet is often placed on the lap or to the side, creating a moment of calm to refocus .
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose) : The owner stands with their dog at their feet or on a leash to allow them to stay close. This pose lengthens the spine and focuses on balance while keeping the animal close.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) : A nod to this iconic yoga pose, downward facing dog is a way for the owner to stretch their back and legs, while inviting the dog to follow suit or simply stay by their side, strengthening the connection through movement .
- Bhujangasana (Cobra) : The owner performs this pose by lengthening the torso and opening the chest. The dog can be invited to lie down next to the dog or to participate by lying down as well, thus strengthening the interaction .
- Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend) : In this forward bend pose, practitioners allow their backs and legs to stretch, while petting their dog or inviting them to stay in contact with them, bringing about communal relaxation .
- Marjaryasana/Bitilasana (Cat/Cow) : On all fours, the owner alternates between cat and cow pose, and the dog can either lie down next to or stand next to its owner. This helps create harmony in the movements and makes the spine more flexible .
- Setu Bandhasana (Bridge) : The owner performs the bridge pose, raising the hips, while the dog can be placed above or below the legs, creating a moment of play and sharing . This pose strengthens the hips and legs , while inviting the animal to stay close.
- Navasana (Boat Pose) : Sitting balanced on the buttocks, owners raise their legs while holding their dog in their arms or letting it lie nearby. This pose engages the abdominals and develops stability .
- Malasana (Garland Pose) : In a squat, practitioners stay close to the ground, often holding the dog's leash or encouraging it to sit close to them. This pose encourages hip opening and grounding while including the animal in the dynamics of the pose.
- Savasana (Corpse Pose) : The final relaxation is a key moment in Doga Yoga. The owner lies on their back, while the dog is often encouraged to lie next to them, bringing a sense of security and emotional connection . This pose helps integrate the benefits of the practice and relax deeply .
Throughout the session, the interaction between the owner and the dog is central. Physical contact , through caresses or massages, plays an important role in creating an environment of mutual well-being . The dogs are not required to actively participate in every posture, but their presence and calming energy help to enrich the experience.
Doga Yoga, beyond its playful aspect, offers a real opportunity to strengthen the emotional bond between man and animal, while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of yoga. It is common to conclude the session with moments of shared relaxation , where master and dog are invited to rest side by side, in silence or with soft music in the background, thus promoting a state of inner peace for both.
TYPE OF DOGA YOGA PRACTICE
Doga Yoga , or yoga with dogs, is a unique and playful form of yoga that combines the benefits of traditional yoga with the presence of dogs for a deeply holistic and relational experience. Unlike more dynamic yoga styles like Vinyasa or Ashtanga , Doga focuses more on relaxation , emotional connection , and the bond between owner and pet. It is a practice that aims to harmonize the energy between human and dog, while offering each partner an opportunity to strengthen both body and mind .
In terms of practice, Doga involves simple and accessible postures, which are modified to accommodate the dog's participation. The dog may be involved in the postures as a physical support, be carried by the practitioner, or simply relax at the dog's side. Some postures allow the dog to be guided through gentle movements, while others encourage a gentle and caring interaction. It is a slow practice, promoting mindfulness and letting go , where each movement is performed in the full presence of the animal.
Doga Yoga draws inspiration from several traditional yoga styles, primarily Hatha Yoga and Yin Yoga , which are characterized by a more moderate pace and longer-held postures. Conscious breathing (Pranayama) plays a key role in this practice, helping to create an inner calm that is felt by both humans and animals. The connection between breathing and gentle movements promotes stress reduction and deep relaxation for both owner and dog.
Dogs, although they do not perform the yoga postures themselves, feel the benefits of the practice through their proximity to their owner and the calming climate that yoga creates. They are often invited to participate in resting postures, physical contact , or simply to observe, which helps to deepen the relationship between human and animal. This proximity and attention to the animal helps to strengthen mutual trust and improve non-verbal communication .
On a physical level, for humans, Doga improves flexibility , strength , and coordination , while also engaging often neglected stabilizing muscles. Body flexibility and balance are developed through gentle postures where the animal can be carried or integrated into the movements. For dogs, the practice helps improve socialization and create a secure environment conducive to calming and relaxation .
Doga Yoga is also practiced in a community atmosphere, where several masters and their dogs gather to share a moment of collective well-being. This social dimension enriches the practice, creating moments of interaction and sharing between practitioners, while promoting an atmosphere of conviviality and joy .
In summary, practicing Doga is an enriching experience for both humans and dogs. It cultivates emotional connection , while offering a playful and calming approach to yoga. Doga allows owners and their companions to create a deep bond , while working to improve their physical and mental well-being .
OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS OF DOGA YOGA
The goals and benefits of Doga Yoga (yoga with dogs) are multiple, both for humans and animals, and go beyond the simple physical practice. Doga Yoga aims to nourish emotional connection and create an environment of shared well-being , while providing physical, mental and emotional benefits to each participant.
On a physical level, one of the main objectives of Doga Yoga is to improve the flexibility , strength and balance of the practitioner. The presence of an unstable surface such as the dog's body or even its simple interaction with the master requires better body awareness . Certain postures, adapted to integrate the dog, engage the stabilizing muscles , particularly those of the trunk , legs and shoulders , while providing gentle stretching and joint mobilization . Doga also helps improve posture , coordination and balance , while stimulating blood circulation and strengthening the immune system .
For dogs, the physical benefits include muscle relaxation and deep relaxation . Although dogs do not perform the poses themselves, their passive or active participation, through gentle movements, helps improve their flexibility and release tension in their bodies. Being gently handled during certain poses also helps build their trust in their owner and their sense of security .
On a mental level, Doga Yoga aims to calm the mind and induce a state of deep relaxation . Doga sessions often include breathing exercises (pranayama) that help synchronize movements with slow, controlled breathing , thus reducing stress and anxiety . For owners, sharing this experience with their dog helps strengthen a sense of presence and mindfulness , encouraging active meditation where every gesture is thoughtful and calming. It also improves concentration and the ability to be fully in the moment , one of the fundamental principles of yoga.
For dogs, Doga is a calming experience that helps reduce their stress and anxiety levels. Their owner's calm breathing and gentle movements convey a sense of security . Because dogs are sensitive to their owners' emotional state, this practice encourages their mental well-being and inner calm .
On an emotional level, one of the main objectives of Doga is to strengthen the bond between the owner and his dog. Yoga is a practice that promotes emotional openness , and when this practice is shared with an animal, it creates a deep connection based on trust and mutual affection . This sharing of moments of calm and complicity strengthens the emotional bond between the owner and the dog, while improving non-verbal communication and mutual understanding .
Doga Yoga also helps improve dog socialization . When practiced in a group, this activity allows dogs to interact with other animals in a calming, non-stressful environment , thus promoting their social well-being . It can also help correct certain behaviors related to fear or anxiety around other dogs or humans.
On a spiritual level, Doga Yoga offers a unique experience of connection with others , beyond the usual words and gestures. The simple fact of being in harmony with a living being during the practice of yoga creates an energetic and spiritual connection that nourishes both the master and the animal. Doga allows for an experience of deep emotional sharing , where each movement is felt not only by the practitioner, but also by the animal.
In short, Doga Yoga aims to strengthen both the body , mind , and emotions of the practitioner and their dog. It is a calming and playful practice that nourishes the master-dog relationship while bringing physical and mental benefits to each. Doga is a celebration of union and deep connection with a four-legged companion, while cultivating inner peace , complicity , and overall well-being .
Valentine's Bio
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VALENTINE
1994, Reunion Island, Mauritius, a Life carried by the Indian Ocean and Yoga
Since childhood, this intrepid traveler has traveled the globe, leaving her footprints on beaches around the world.Passionate about surfing, scuba diving and sailing, she has made the oceans her playground and source of inspiration.
The freedom of the waves, the serenity of the ocean depths and the wind in his sails have punctuated his journey, always guided by a quest for connection with nature.
It was through her explorations that yoga became more than a practice for her – it was a way of life.
Between early morning surf sessions and meditative sunsets, she found in yoga a perfect balance of strength, flow and self-awareness.
Today, she combines her passion for water sports with teaching yoga and is part of the Yogaterrae team, here in France, in the South West and often remotely :)
This adventurer is a true source of inspiration for anyone who aspires to live in harmony with their body and nature.
Through her stories of incredible experiences, she invites everyone to open up to a world where every wave, every breath and every posture is a celebration of life.
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