Yoga with your Dog

Yoga with Your Dog

featuring Coco the chocolate lab

By Brooke Bonfadini

Man’s best friend? How about yogi’s best friend! Bringing your dog onto the mat with you can be a fun way to change up your practice and bond with your pup. These poses can be done with dogs of all sizes, so there’s nothing holding you back from including your furry friend in your practice!

Malasana

This pose is great for opening up your hips while snuggling on your pup.

Enter malasana from standing by bending your knees and sinking your hips towards the ground. Keep your back flat and push your knees back. If you can’t get your feet flat on the floor, lift your heels up to modify the pose.

Now, call your pup over, and give him/her lots of love while you open those hips!

more from the march publication

Downward Dog

Downward-facing dog is one of the most fundamental poses in yoga. It is a wonderful heart and hamstring opener that creates a great space for your pup to hang out under you!
Start in high plank and lift your hips up & back towards the ceiling. Gently press the heels towards the floor, and open your chest towards the back of the mat. Grip the mat with your fingers and push away from the floor. If your hamstrings are feeling tight, pump your legs one at a time to “walk your dog.” Once you’re settled, call your pup over so they’re underneath you (Caution: you may get licked in the face), and you can hang out together while getting a nice stretch.

Puppy Pose

Puppy pose is a great heart-opener, and it has puppy in the name, so you have to do it with your puppy, right?!
Start on all fours in table top and then slide your arms forward and press your chest to the floor.
Call your pup over and have them sit in an optimal petting position by your hands.

Forearm Wheel

©PreciousPeachPhotos

Backbends are a great follow-up to puppy pose. They are incredible heart-openers, and a wonderful way to open your heart to your pup.
Begin by lying on your back with your knees bent. Place your hands just below your ears with your palms facing your shoulders and push up into wheel, lifting your hips as high as you can. From there, lift your heels and drop your forearms, fingers facing the back of the mat. If you’re not ready to attempt going down onto your forearms, staying in wheel will still afford you the opportunity for quality time with your dog. However, if you’re feeling balanced, you can pet your pup while upside down using your free hands and bringing your gaze towards the back of the mat. Alternatively, if your dog is like Coco here, he/she can just sit on your forearms while you stretch.

Even if your dog isn’t doing much while you’re posing, just having them on the mat with you is a great way to change up your practice and strengthen your bond with your dog. However, it is also important to remember not to push it. If your dog doesn’t feel like being on the mat, there will always be another time you can bring them around! Above all, do what feels good and have fun with your pup!