Office Dog Yoga

For years now Asa and I have been Mom’s personal chair yoga instructors while she works from home. So for all you new work from home office dogs, here are a few of our favorite moves you may like to try with your humans as they attempt to work at their desks.

Let Sleeping Dog Lie Pose:

Sit on chair in front of desk, with dog directly in front under desk.  Place left foot on chair keeping knee in line with chin.  Stretch right leg forward over dog being careful not to wake him while he sleeps.  Arms should be able to comfortably reach keyboard.

Demonstrating the proper position for the dog in the Let Sleeping Dog Lie Pose.

Extended Sleeping Dog Pose:

Sit on chair in front of desk, with dog at an angle halfway under desk and to the right of chair.  Place left foot on floor next to dog’s head. Extend right leg to the side stretching over the sleeping dog until foot touches floor. If doing this correctly Mom will be doing a a seated side lunge in chair.

For photographic purposes this is being demonstrated next to the desk. When practicing at home, dog should be directly in front of desk at slight angle.

Twisted Double Dog Pose:

Sit on chair, with two dogs directly in front under the desk.  Bring right ankle to rest on left thigh. Bring left ankle to right thigh.  This position is more commonly known as Sitting Crossed Legged. Arms should be able to comfortably reach keyboard.

Twist and Stretch Pose:

This pose is best done in an office chair with wheels.  While in the Twisted Double Dog Pose, dog(s) will sprawl out taking up as much space on the floor as possible while simultaneously pushing the chair away from the desk.  Mom seated crossed legged in Twisted Double Dog Pose on chair will then stretch to reach keyboard.

Note how the dogs successfully take up all floor space forcing the chair to be at odd angle in relation to keyboard.  This enhances the stretch.

Downward Facing Keyboard Pose:

If you are unable to hold the Twist and Stretch Pose, an alternative is the Downward Facing Keyboard Pose. With dog(s) covering as much floor space in front of the desk, stand up and place each foot on floor around dog(s) being careful not to step on them.  Then stretch forward in this standing position to reach keyboard.

Birdie Pose:

Sit on chair with two feet firmly planted on floor.  Dog will stand directly next to Mom, and will repeatedly flip Mom’s arms away from the keyboard with snout.  If done correctly and repeatedly, Mom will flap arms like a bird.

Reach for the Stars Pose:

Sit on chair with two feet firmly planted on floor.  Dog will then become fixated with something on desk that he is not suppose to have, while doing a variation of the Birdie Pose to reach it.  Mom should then lift said item as high above her head as possible while continuing typing with one hand.  Or if on the phone, while trying to continue a conversation without sounding distracted.

Deep breathing sighs with a hint of whimper should also accompany the Reach for the Stars Pose.

My apologies for the lack of photos of the human doing these positions. Mom refused to let Asa take pictures of her poses while typing this post for me.  Also, in case you’re wondering why Dad is not included in this yoga routine, it is because he makes us move when we attempt to do a workout with him.  He’s not as into yoga as Mom.

Anyone can do Downward Dog, but it takes special concentration to do Office Dog Yoga!

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About the author

Chuck Billy is a Golden Retriever, living in Southern Maine, who likes to share his unique observations on life with his little brother Asa. When not writing his blog, he spends his days being awesome.

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