A New Twist on Yoga

Then there's "doga," or yoga for dogs. Suzi Teitelman, a yoga instructor in Jacksonville, began teaching doga after her cocker spaniel, Coali, wandered onto her mat. "To me, it's like a natural extension of my yoga practice," she says. "We just started creating a sequence of poses." Along with daily doga sessions for Coali, Teitelman teaches monthly classes and private lessons at dog-birthday parties, complete with a personalized yoga mat for each mutt in attendance. In the doga classes, owners position their pets into poses as well as participate in stretches and movements alongside them. If you want to find a doga class in your city, check out dogadog.com.

Instructors typically have one request of new students: enter the studio with an open mind. And take the time to find a yoga instructor, style and studio that work for you, even if that means trying out 10 to 15 different classes. Whether you choose to do yoga in the buff or celebrate your dog's birthday, there is a style of yoga that will likely suit you.

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