Watch out, there's a new craze making it's way over the pond from the trendy New York gym studios. Doga has hit the capital and as an existing lover of yoga and obviously of dogs too I was intrigued to find out more about it.
Doga involves stretching, massage and chanting and is meant to create a unique bond between you and your dog through the calming, happy environment yoga creates.
Dr Robin Brennen, chief of veterinary medicine at the Bidawee Animal Shelter in New York, hosts classes run by dog trainer and yogi Kari Harendorf. She says that 'Dogs are naturally very inquisitive creatures and at the beginning of the class they were all tussling, yipping and barking, but you can see a change in energy levels and a drop in stress and anxiety as the class continues.' For Dr Brennan, the animals most benefit from the bonding experience with their owner, rather than exercise, particularly if they spend a lot of time on their own. The impression I get is that Yoga is meant to benefit both you and your dog in a physical and mental way.
It seems like a great way to do some excercise with your dog that isn't the normal walking in the park but is it the next big thing to build a bond between you and your pooch or one step too far into barking mad territory? It's an interesting concept, feel free to make you're own mind up, but for now I'm still a little dubious! But you never know, watch this space...
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