People Pets

VIDEO: 3 Doga Positions to Try with Your Pooch!

By Kate Hogan

03/10/2010 at 07:45 AM EST

VIDEO: 3 Doga Positions to Try with Your Pooch!

Namaste, doggie! Last year, we told you about the latest exercise craze: doga, a form of yoga that owners and dogs can do together. Turns out, the trend has lasted, especially here in New York City, where patrons of East Yoga in Manhattan visit Kari Harendorf and her dog Charlie for lessons in the meditative practice.

"Charlie's the brains behind the operation," laughs Harendorf, who started with doga when her husky mix was just 3 years old (he's now 12). "When I was practicing for my yoga certification, he'd come lay near me, and the idea grew from that." Not only is it a great way to bond with your dog, but it works the joints and calms those furry souls, as well.

Harendorf generally teaches her doga classes at the Bidawee shelter in New York City, which gets rescue dogs out of their cages and socialized. "One-hundred percent of the dogs who've participated in my class have been adopted," she boasts. In the summer, she heads out to the shelter's West Hampton, N.Y., facility, where the volunteers and dogs can practice outside in the sunshine.

While Harendorf happens to have a big dog, doga can be done with small dogs, too. Whereas large dog owners use their pups as bolsters, small dogs are used almost as weights – held in the air or extended to the side when a person is holding a position.

But regardless of size, Harendorf reminds doga participants to hydrate their dogs, and control their diet with natural, well-balanced pet food. (Charlie's favorite is Holistic Select.) Lastly, owners should remember to reward their patient pups with lots of belly rubs and kisses for all of their hard work!

Check out the video above for three easy-to-learn poses as demonstrated by Harendorf and Charlie!