If you have ever tried yoga, you’re probably familiar with the pose downward dog. However, in one yoga class, the term dog didn’t only refer to a pose; in this case, it also meant the real furry friend.
On a recent Sunday, rescue dogs were allowed to roam freely and give cuddles and kisses to participants during a one-hour mixed level yoga class held at Back Bay Brewing.
Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses hosted the fundraising event and raised $400 for Island Dog Rescue. Debra Furstenberg, owner of Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses, said her business was originally intended to be a single event held as a community service project for her daughter. After holding her first dog yoga class with a local New Jersey rescue, many of the class participants asked when the next event would be offered.
“I thought we would only have one class, but everyone insisted I should do more,” said Furstenberg. “That’s when Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses was born!”
The New Jersey-based business has now grown to seven states with an average of 4-12 events per month. Fifty percent of the profits from tickets sales of each event are donated to the participating rescue group. Classes are held in dog-friendly spaces such as breweries, farms, CrossFit gyms and yoga studios. The entire event is coordinated from start to finish by Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses.
About six months ago, Annesa Faticoni, owner and instructor of KTMA yoga, saw the Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses class posted on Facebook. She loved the idea and immediately contacted Furstenberg to see if an event could be hosted in Virginia Beach. Faticoni wanted the yoga class to benefit Island Dog Rescue, a Virginia Beach-based rescue that transports an average of 250 dogs each month from the Caribbean Islands to partner rescues in the United States. The rescue also supplies the islands’ animals with medical care, spay/neuter services, humane education and community outreach.
Faticoni already brings her dog Zhen Zhen to her yoga classes and offers a Doga class the first Sunday of each month, which welcomes all breeds as long as the dogs are owner obedient and not aggressive. She was excited to work with Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses because she believes practicing yoga with dogs is therapeutic and reduces stress.
“Dogs really resonate with the energy of yoga class. I have witnessed very anxious dogs that learn to trust and relax,” said Faticoni. “Dogs also bring an element of playfulness to the class.”
Juliet Rickman practices yoga two to three times a week and has even tried goat yoga. The Little Neck resident was excited to participate in the Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses event.
“Yoga is good for the soul,” said Rickman. “When you put animals with yoga, it’s even more fulfilling.”
Brooke Mathie, a Town Center resident, enjoyed holding the tree pose with one of the rescue dogs. She had never taken a yoga class before.
“This makes me want to do more yoga,” she said.
Furstenberg said the primary purpose of Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses is to raise money for animal rescue groups. However, the mission has expanded to supporting the local community around each event by securing yoga instructors and publicizing the venue.
“Our classes also help socialize the dogs and give them a new and fun outing,” said Furstenberg. “One of the of the most unexpected benefits of our classes is raising awareness about rescue groups and changing perceptions about different types of dogs.”
Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net
More info
For more on Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses, visit their Facebook page for future events.
For Doga classes at KTMA Yoga, 3300 Holland Road, visit their Facebook page or call 469-4880.
