JagBytes

Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: College News

Media Credit: Yvonne McCann Dog owners practice Doga poses with their pups at a Dec. 1 class at the Humane Society of Indianapolis. This is the first class of its kind at HSI. The dog Yoga trend began in New York and is spreading across the country. Doga allows dogs and their owners to bond as they practice poses and do breathing exercises together.

Media Credit: Yvonne McCann

Media Credit: Yvonne McCann

There is a new trend that started in New York and is slowly gaining popularity all over the country. It's yoga for dogs and their owners, known as Doga or ruff Yoga.

Dogs that practice Doga are known as dogi.

The Indianapolis Humane Society (HSI) held their first trial session of doga on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

"It will be a really loose class," said Mandy Nestlerode, training and safety coordinator at the HSI.

Doga is a way for dogs and their owners to meditate and practice yoga poses together. This will be a bonding experience beneficial and enjoyable for well-trained dogs.

Some people might not be able to grasp the concept of Doga and take it seriously but the instructors guiding and those who practice the classes take it very seriously.

In Doga classes, some of the activities dogs participate in are breathing exercises, stretching on their mats/blankets with their owner and the well-known downward-facing-dog pose to name a few.

Ultimately, it's up to the owner to decide whether their dog should participate in Doga.

"If your dog doesn't do well with other dogs or people, this isn't the class for you because there will be several dogs in a close capacity," Nestlerode said.

Nestlerode advises that those who attended the first session to come without expectations.

"All of the movements aren't exercise but to connect with your dog and to share each other's energy and bond with your dog," she said.

For this first session, HSI only accepted smaller dogs (under 40 pounds) but depending on popularity, they may be able to offer classes for larger dogs in the future.

The size of the dog determines which poses will be done in the class.

There isn't any scientific evidence that Doga actually impacts dogs, but it is evident that there are dogs throughout the country that enjoy it.

Whether it is effective to the dog is not 100 percent clear, but there are several dog owners who practice Doga faithfully and swear by it, but it isn't for just anyone.

"I have heard about it," said Stacy Blanton, Chartwells employee. "I wouldn't do it. My dog would go nuts. Absolutely crazy."

For those who would like to try Doga or those who already practice it, it is a new way to connect and relax with your dog.

"Doga: Yoga for Dogs," a book by Jennifer Brilliant and William Berloni, is a popular book about Doga that goes over poses with different dogs and gives helpful tips.

For information about Doga at the HIS, visit www.indyhumane.org

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