You might recognise Downward-facing Dog and Upward-facing Dog from your yoga class. But what happens when your dog wants to join you for yoga on your mat?
If you’re a dog owner and practice yoga at home, chances you know what it’s like when you roll out your yoga mat only to be met with your dog joining you on the mat eagerly wagging his tail. Obviously, your dog is super excited, “Yay – finally my owner wants to play with me and spend some time on the floor!” If your dog has been alone all day, it’s understandable that they want some quality time with their best friend, as well.
The Do’s & Don’ts of Doga
If your yoga practice is more active, it may be a good idea to tell your dog to stay in one spot or leave them in another room – just in case they get in the way when you’re on the way down from a handstand. That said, it’s totally fine to let your dog join you when you do floor poses.
My dog already knows that when I’m standing, he needs to stay in his own bed. As soon as I get down on the floor, he starts wagging his tail and stares at me eagerly waiting for permission to join me on the mat. After he’s joined me for a while, he usually calms down and lies down on the mat!
3 Tips For Practising Yoga With Your Dog
- Try incorporating some of the stretches your pet does on a daily basis into your yoga practice. They stretch several times a day and know how to live in the moment – your pet can be your greatest mindfulness teacher!
- If your yoga is more active, make sure to stay safe and not step on anyone’s paws by keeping them away from your mat or in another room.
- Yoga is a great way to stay active with your pet. Yoga doesn’t have to be serious, so it’s a great way to keep your practice light-hearted and fun! 🙂
As I instruct the classes at Yogaia, I’m often delighted to see just how many pets are joining their owners for the practice. Some of them are just observing what’s going on, others want affection and attention and some try to actively participate. I think it’s amazing when the pets are included! Yoga shouldn’t be too serious! Yoga is all about feeling happy and positive then calming down and pets help you do just this. Many asanas are named after animals so they can remind us of or imitate animals.
It’s amazing when the pets are included – yoga shouldn’t be too serious! Yoga is all about feeling happy and positive then calming down and pets help you do just this.
