Pampered New York pooches take up yoga
Fast-living Manhattanites can now treat their stressed out chihuahuas to the latest in chillout therapy by booking them a yoga – or “doga” – lesson.
The 45-minute sessions for owners and their pets run by animal welfare organization Bideawee have proved a big hit with New Yorkers, according to a report by CNN’s Lola Ogunnaike.
“Since I didn’t have my own pup, I borrowed Sophie, a 10-pound Shih Tzu, who was so calm I wondered if she’d been slipped a quaalude before class,” Ogunnaike said.
“In ‘child’s pose,’ she stood on my back and slowly surveyed the room. I lifted her with my legs. Held her in ‘warrior pose.’ Stretched her hind legs. Stroked her little head as we chanted Ommmmmm and Boooone.”
Instructor Kari Harendorf said the classes offered perfect relaxation for dogs and owners in stressful times.
“It’s actually been proven scientifically that just the simple act of petting a dog will release happy hormones in humans and will lower their cortisol, which is the stress hormone,” she said.
“Studies have also shown that it goes both ways, that when dogs receive the petting and attention that their stress levels decrease.”