About

When photographer Dan Borris came across his first Yoga Dog it was Otis, a two-year-old English Bull Terrier who loved to do yoga with his friend Joy. Joy would be practicing her yoga in the mornings while Otis wandered around her legs, stopping now and again to lick her face as she did a headstand. Slowly but surely Otis began to imitate Joy. At first he tried out simple poses, ones that came naturally to him like Downward and Upward Dog. As time went on Otis's poses became more and more complex, until finally he began his own practice. While Otis himself wasn't captured on film, he did lead Dan on his path to finding other four-legged Yogis.

The original two-legged Yogis discovered poses by observing and imitating the movement of animals. Now the practice has come full circle and it's the dogs that are imitating us! You can see the absolute delight they take in their yoga and when they practice you can feel their profound concentration.

Just observe them: steady deep breathing (unless panting), totally focused attention (unless distracted by a ball or squirrel), and full stretches (especially upon waking).

We can all learn from their yoga. So next time you begin your practice, remember - get in touch with your inner pup.

Alejandra & Mela Tulum, Mexico

play, bark... breathe.