Meet the creative genius behind those adorable YOGA Dogs and Cats calendars you’ve been seeing on the shelves. Dan Borris has been a photographer for a number of years, shooting for publications such as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Smithsonian among many other publications. I’ve also shot for advertising and the music industry. Yoga Dogs and Cats is a complete departure for Dan and he exclaims “It’s an enjoyable one!”

When asked if Dan does yoga, he mentioned that he’s done Ashtanga Yoga on and off over the years. “That’s what got me interested in Yoga Dogs… that and a friend’s English Bull Mastiff,” says Dan.

Almost all of the puppies and kittens come from shelters. They allow Dan and his team to photograph their fantastic animals and in exchange, the team donates money and calendars to the shelter. The dogs and cats originally and continue to be mostly from family, friends and friends of friends. Sometimes Alejandra, Dan’s partner, stops people with cute dogs on the street and a random star is born!

dan-borris-and-alejandra-diaz-berrio

Dan Borris and his partner, Alejandra Diaz-Berrio

The initial response to Yoga Dogs was immediate and completely upbeat. Dan received inquiries for interviews and products from around the world. He remembers getting a request for a calendar from a person in Tonga…the Yoga Dog’s and Cat’s most remote fan!

Dan states that the most enjoyable aspects of what he does are seeing the final images and receiving such positive feedback from the community at large. “Having sold literally millions of calendars and knowing how many people smile when they see them is a great feeling,” Dan expresses. The challenges of course are dealing with dogs and cats who have their own ideas of how to behave during a shoot.  Regardless, the team always has fun and they do too! I asked Dan if he were in the process of working with other animals, and for now they’re just sticking with dogs and cats. Dan explains, “I like to think they’re natural yogis and have a strong connection with us humans.

Dan just wants to give a shout out for peace, love and yoga in the human and animal world!

You can find Cat and Dog Yoga calendars on Amazon.com.

Enjoy some cat and dog yoga snaps below!
JUNO Warrior I Virabhadrasana I Stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders and neck Strengthens the shoulderS, arms, and back Strengthens and stretches the thighs, calves, and ankles

JUNO
Warrior I
Virabhadrasana I
Stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders and neck
Strengthens the shoulderS, arms, and back
Strengthens and stretches the thighs, calves, and ankles

TUXIE EXTENDED TRIANGLE POSE Utthita Trikonasana Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles Helps relieve stress Improves digestion

TUXIE
EXTENDED TRIANGLE POSE
Utthita Trikonasana
Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles
Helps relieve stress
Improves digestion

MAUDE Side Plank Pose Vasisthasana Strengthens the arms, belly, and legs Stretches and strengthens the wrists Stretches backs of the legs Improves sense of balance

MAUDE
Side Plank Pose
Vasisthasana
Strengthens the arms, belly, and legs
Stretches and strengthens the wrists
Stretches backs of the legs
Improves sense of balance

THOR Lotus Pose Padmasana Calms the brain Stimulates the pelvis, spine and abdomen Stretches the ankles and knees

THOR
Lotus Pose
Padmasana
Calms the brain
Stimulates the pelvis, spine and abdomen
Stretches the ankles and knees

CONNOR CAT-COW POSE VARIATION CHAKRAVAKASANA Improves spinal flexibility and abdominal strength Stretches the back, torso and neck Develops postural awareness and balance Brings the spine into alignment

CONNOR
CAT-COW POSE VARIATION
CHAKRAVAKASANA
Improves spinal flexibility and abdominal strength
Stretches the back, torso and neck
Develops postural awareness and balance
Brings the spine into alignment

[Photos C/O ©Dan Borris/YogaDogs]

 

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