What is TAO DOG® YOGA?

TAO DOG® Yoga Class is an interactive practice, designed to teach you how to breathe, gain mental focus, stretch and strengthen your body while your dog learns to both relax and practice yoga with you.

During our in-person dog yoga class, your dog will learn important skills such as relaxation, relationship building and connection. The group dynamic adds an element of distraction, shared connection, humor and a safe environment for you to work with your dog. We will move through an interactive flow practice for us and our dogs. Yes! Your dog will learn their own yoga poses too. After we practice yoga, we will move through a series of calm touch exercises to build trust with your dog and strengthen your relationship.

Each class is unique and offers a new experience for you and your dog. TAO DOG® Yoga is a fun way to train your dog, while you benefit from the breathing, stretching and strengthening of a yoga practice.

Our only pre-requisite is that your dog is neutral/friendly with dogs and people.

What is a TAO DOG® YOGA class like?

Before trying a TAO DOG® class, you may have many questions! What if I have never tried yoga? Does my dog need to be fully trained? Is this class right for my dog? What can I expect during the class? What benefits will I and my dog receive from joining the class?

What if I have never tried yoga? Great! We welcome everyone from beginners to seasoned yogis to join our classes. TAO DOG® Yoga Classes are accessible to all levels, our focus is to help you connect deeper with yourself and your dog.

Does my dog need to be fully trained? No. Your dog does not have to have any pre-requisite skills to take class. You may find it helpful if your dog knows the basic commands, sit and down and has been in a classroom setting with other dogs. Your dog may settle into the class more quickly if it has been exposed to a dog training class prior to joining a TAO DOG® class.

Is this class the right for my dog? This class is designed to be accessible to most dogs. The only limitation for joining class would be if your dog is dog reactive or people reactive. If your dog is reactive, private training, private TAO DOG® classes and online options are available. You can also practice with us virtually on YouTube.

Some dogs can work through their reactivity to join class and others are more comfortable learning in a private setting or at home. We are always happy to evaluate your dog and determine which option is best.

What can I expect during class? Class begins with centering/breathing/warm up, while your dog is taught to relax and settle. Class then moves into a yoga practice, while your dog learns to remain in a relaxed position next to you. As this is an interactive class, we will then switch gears and teach our dogs their own yoga poses, helping them to learn new behaviors and feel confident In their bodies. As we wind down our yoga practice, you will sit with your dog and be lead in calm touch body handling exercises to promote trust and calm connection. We will end class by resting in savasana, enjoying the deepened bond with our dogs. Our focus throughout class is creating a connection and maintaining this connection from the beginning to end of class.

What benefits will I and my dog receive from joining the class? The benefits as the human attending class, will be to learn to breathe, connect breath to movement and learn to relax and become calm so you can effectively communicate with your dog. The benefits for your dog are to learn to relax and settle, to learn how to respond to the changes in your body language, learning new dog specific yoga poses, learn to accept body handling/canine massage and to be comfortable with you moving them through new stretches and exercises. The relationship changes you will experience in a TAO DOG® Yoga Class are profound. These changes we develop in a class setting will follow you off your mat and into other aspects of your life with your dog.

A word from TAO DOG® Founder, Stef Corbeil

For 20 years, I have practiced yoga and trained dogs. I have found that teaching dogs to be focused, calm and relaxed can solve many behavior problems. For me, dog training is about creating a strong relationship between a dog and human. In my experience if the person is calm, the dog picks up on their body language and is able to be more successful with impulse control and the dog’s ability to learn increases.

Over the past decade, I began practicing yoga with my dog, Tao. Given Tao’s energetic spirit and desire to go, go, go, I discovered that yoga was the perfect balance to our busy life together. We began practicing yoga together at home and out on our hiking and beach adventures. Through this practice, the curriculum for TAO DOG® yoga classes was developed. The first class ever held was with 10 dog friends who became the pioneer TAO DOG® team. This pioneer team showed their support the entire journey by giving feedback, providing encouragement and trusting me to guide them and their cherished dogs. To each of you in the pioneer group, I am forever grateful, because of you TAO DOG® yoga is a reality.

I look forward to meeting you and your dogs…see you on your mat!

Stef & Tao