Top 10 Yoga Dog Positions for You and Your Pup

What is puppy yoga?

Puppy yoga is a mix of traditional yoga with pups. This is great for people of all ages who wish to work on their physical and mental health. Our light exercises are even suitable for beginners and make for a healthy workout session. Puppy yoga blends the spiritual journey of mind and body, and adds the cute glazing of wagging tails. This is a great recipe for lowering stress levels and uplifting your mood. Not to mention that you improve your physical fitness and strength along the way.

What are the top yoga dog positions for you to try?

There are several poses and their variations in yoga. Each pose has its own physical and mental benefits. You can follow these poses with your pups to strengthen your body and embark on a spiritual journey. Here are the top yoga dog positions you should try out today:

Downward dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana):

Inspired by the dog's natural pose during their play time, this pose makes use of the same techniques. You start on your hands and knees and lift your hips up and back. Then you proceed to straighten your legs, forming an inverted V shape. Your pups can join in by wandering beneath you or mimicking your yoga dog positions. The downward dog position has the following benefits:

• Releases tension in the back
• Improves flexibility
• Streches and strengthens hamstrings, calves, and spine

Puppy pose (Uttana Shishosana):

Named after puppies themselves, this is another key position in dog yoga. You can easily follow the pose by starting on your hands and knees. Then, walk your hands forward while keeping your hips over your knees. Additionally, rest your head and chest towards the mat, mimicking a puppy. The top benefits of puppy pose are as follows:

• Stretches spine and shoulders
• Calms the mind
• Strengthens the upper body

Heart-to-hound pose:

The heart-to-hound yoga dog position is fairly easy to mimic. In order to mimic the position, you start off by sitting cross-legged. Then, by facing your dog, as they stand or stand between your legs, gently place your hands on their chest or shoulders. You should gently gaze into their eyes as you mimic the position. The heart-to-hound position is beneficial for the following reasons:

• Builds trust and security with your dog
• Calms high-energy dogs
• Reduces stress and blood pressure

Chair pose with pup (Utkatasana):

The chair pose can be a bit difficult for first timers; however, it is fairly simple. The real challenge lies in staying in the position for longer. The steps to mimic the chair position are as follows:

• Stand with feet hip-width apart
• Bend your knees
• Raise your arms overhead
• Hold your small dog to your chest

This position cannot be mimicked with larger dogs due to their size and weight. However, you can still follow the exercise by making them stand in front and holding their paws.

Forward fold with dog hug (Uttanasana Variation):

Being one of the key yoga dog positions, it combines a hamstring stretch with a puppy cuddle. This exercise comprises standing tall with feet hip-width apart. The participants are then required to hinge forward at their hips, allowing the head and arms to hang freely. They can then proceed to hug small dogs while folding. However, for medium to large dogs, this step can be replaced with wrapping your arms around their necks. This not only relieves tension in the neck but also provides the dogs with loving reassurance.

Seated twist with pup (Ardha Matsyendrasana Variation):

This exercise is great for improving spinal mobility and digestion. To perform this yoga dog position, you can simply start by sitting with your legs extended. Then follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Bend right knee
• Place the foot outside the left thigh
• Hug your pup close to your chest as you twist towards your right knee

This will keep your dog close, provide them with a sense of calm and love. This exercise is also great for strengthening the core.

Cobra pose with puppy assist:

Dogs love to crawl beneath you as it provides them with a sense of security. To mimic the pose, lie on your stomach with your legs extended. Place palms beside your chest and gently lift your body. This will allow your puppy to crawl underneath and build your back muscles. A win-win situation for all!

Warrior II with puppy gaze:

Start off this pose by standing with your feet wide apart. Then go through the following steps:

• Turn your front foot forward and bend the front knee
• Extend arms in opposite directions
• Have your dog sit at the front knee

This is great for strengthening legs, shoulders, and helps improve concentration.

Savasana with puppy cuddle:

This is one of the best yoga dog positions to end your yoga session with. Lie flat on the mat and relax your arms. Lie until your muscles completely relax. Let dog rest on your chest or beside you, and build a bond of trust and affection with each other.

Supported bridge pose with pup:

This last exercise is great for improving core strength. You can follow it by lying on your back and knees bent. Lift your hips towards the ceiling and place your dog on your lower abdomen. This exercise is great for strengthening glutes and back and allows for a playful bonding with your pet.

 

Pups&Yoga; Your Yoga Partner

Pups and yoga is a leading yoga center with various branches spreading across  Boston, Ottawa,Montreal and Marbella. We use light yoga dog positions filled with laughter and fun. To provide a more exclusive experience, we also host private events. We highly value the well-being of puppies, which is why food, rest, and hygiene are of the utmost importance. We also conduct regular health checkups to ensure the safety and well-being of our furry friends. If you are in the area, book a class through our website for the experience of a lifetime. Our puppies await you!