These Dogs Are Better At Yoga Than You

Any pet-owning, aspiring yogi knows that often animals and yoga don’t mix. As soon as you hit the mat, most dogs and cats make it their mission to lick, paw, jump, and sit on you until you’re either falling over or laughing so hard you can’t breathe. That's why I am seriously in awe of these dogs doing yoga with their owner. I would like to know how I can make this happen in my own life right now, please and thank you.

Seriously, this is what happens when I try to do yoga at home: As soon as I start getting ready, my dog starts bouncing around. (I can almost see a thought bubble that says “It’s game time!” projecting from her head.) When I unfurl the mat, she lays down right in the center like she owns the place, and, after I shoo her away, she will keep returning to that spot, even if it means she has to literally sit on my back. When I do anything that puts me upside down—Downward Dog, shoulder stand, you name it—she starts licking my face. Do you know how hard it is to achieve inner peace when your dog is doing her absolute best to stick her tongue up your nose? Very.

Clearly, though, some owners have it luckier than I do. This video shows two border collies, Hollie and Ace, doing a bit of evening yoga with their owner. He settles into a handstand against a wall, and the dogs move into their own asanas, with one balancing on its front legs (A handstand? A paw-stand?) and the other on its back legs. (Is this the literal version of Upward Dog?) Just watch the black and white dog’s back legs lift off the ground:

Impressive, no? When I try to do that pose, I usually fall on my face (even when my pup isn't actively trying to knock me over). Namaste, pooches!

Images: YouTube (2)