Dogs: They're just so cute sometimes newspapers have to make up entire trend stories about people doing yoga with their pets just to run a bunch of pictures of their adorable dog faces.
At least, that's what theNY Times Styles section did today with their article about the virtually non-existent practice of "Doga" (That's "yoga" + a "d" for "duh.) You can practically feel the Cute Overload envy.
In Chicago, Kristyn Caliendo does forward-bends with a Jack Russell terrier draped around her neck. In Manhattan, Grace Yang strikes a warrior pose while balancing a Shih Tzu on her thigh. And in Seattle, Chantale Stiller-Anderson practices an asana that requires side-stretching across a 52-pound vizsla.
Ludicrous? Possibly. Grist for anyone who thinks that dog-owners have taken yoga too far? Perhaps. But nationwide, classes of doga — yoga with dogs, as it is called — are increasing in number and popularity. Since Ms. Caliendo, a certified yoga instructor in Chicago, began to teach doga less than one year ago, her classes have doubled in size.
So how many students does she have now, two? Three? It's a trend!
Also, that should read "Ludicrous? Obviously. We just wanted to show some pictures of cuddwy puppies." But the pictures of the "doga" poses aren't the best part about this article. This is:
Not everyone in the yoga community is comfortable with this.
“Doga runs the risk of trivializing yoga by turning a 2,500-year-old practice into a fad,” said Julie Lawrence, 60, a yoga instructor and studio owner in Portland, Ore. “To live in harmony with all beings, including dogs, is a truly yogic principle. But yoga class may not be the most appropriate way to express this.”
Poor earnest yoga instructor who has evidently been honing her practice in a remote cave on an unscalable mountain somewhere for the past 60 years. Who wants to be the person to tell her that yoga is a much bigger fad than the pet rock, slap bracelets, and Furbys combined? Yogis. They can be so sensitive sometimes.
If anything, Doga doesn't trivialize yoga enough. With that in mind here are some names for the Doga poses as outlined in the NY Times:
Man's Best Exercise Accessory
(This one really opens up your hips, which is where your nervous energy hides. Luckily the dog will absorb most of it.)
You Paid $25 To Take A Nap With Your Dog Pose
(So relaxing.)
The Human Doggie Coat Pose
(This one really just allows your dog to feel warm, centered, and totally superior to you.)
Warrior Awwwwwwww Pose
(In this pose, try to empty your mind of all thoughts. That's it. Who's a good owner?)
The Flying Puppy
(Your dog's fear and confusion is essential in this pose. It really helps deepen the stretch)
That's ImPAWSible! Pose
(This one cures the common cold. Seriously. It's all about pressure points and making your dog hate you.)