Leave it to Barcelona: What is Doga anyway?

Introducing Leave it to Barcelona

Barcelona is a city that will seduce you with it's magic.. The guidebooks may point you to the Ramblas or to Gaudis' dream like architecture, and many tourists believe that by having seen those sights, they have seen it all. The guidebook- offered experience is beautiful and informative
yet , worlds away from the culture, the cuisine, the unique shopping opportunities, the smells, and the sights that have led to my love affair with this Catalan capital.

For several years Barcelona has been my home, and this Catalan capital has seduced me. I shop ,dine and exercise daily amid the bustling crowds. My daily walks, runs and bicycle rides bring me to Park Guell, Sagrada Familia,and beachfront. But I also know the side streets and the quiet, hidden treasures.

Barcelona offers spacious mansions, modernist architecture and tremendous culinary offerings with wonderful spaces to exercise. I believe that an adventurous traveler who is alone or with friends would completely enjoy joining a group of like minded people for a 6 night yoga and cultural retreat. I want to begin providing such an opportunity!

My three year exploration of Barcelona and the surrounding areas has provided me with a unique perspective. I have discovered a wealth of dynamic and exciting experiences and offerings which are Barcelona's secret Gems . During your stay with Leave it to Barcelona our days will be filled with yoga, Pilates, exercise, cultural excursions, walking tours, insider shopping, and some of the best food and wine to be found. The activities and locations you will enjoy with Leave it to Barcelona are incredibly special. I have hand picked every location, culinary experience, shopping find and local treasure to provide the experience that can only come from visiting with a local.

We are offering our first "friends and family" retreat Saturday March 22 through Friday the 28th which will be offered at a very low introductory one time price followed by our official launch Saturday October 11th to the 17th. .

For more details and information, please visit our Facebook page:

To save your space today email leaveittobarcelona@gmail.com

I hope to see you in Barcelona!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

What is Doga anyway?

In our instagram posts in the past we have referred to "doga," which we consider to be doing yoga with your dog. Many places around the United States offer classes for owner and pet so your furry friend can join in on the fun.

When my dog sees my yoga mat come out, he recognizes that it is at least a bit of time where he can relax next to me....so extended shavasana perhaps?

We take Doga very lightly, however, it can be a much more spirtual pursuit between you and your furry friend if you wish.

Do you Doga? We would love to see your photos! Send us a message here, email us, or leave a message on our Leave it to Barcelona facebook page!

"Doga (a portmanteau of "Dog Yoga") is the practice of yoga with pet dogs.

Through acts of meditation, gentle massage, and stretching, doga practitioners seek to achieve a greater harmony with their dogs. Canine acupuncture and chanting are also known to take place within the occasional doga routine.

In Doga, the submissive dogs and their human masters work as one unit - the masters help their dogs facilitate different poses and, in some cases, the pets are used as props or instruments while the masters perfect their poses. This is seen to be a Zen way of practicing non-traditional yoga and training, while exploring power play dynamics.

Doga has received some criticism from the yoga community.^[1] Doga classes have been labeled inappropriate for trivializing the sacred practice by turning it into a "fad", for their lax policies on teacher certification, and for the dogs' interference in participants' concentration and relaxation when they are not properly trained to cooperate.^[1]

The UK charity Dogs Trust have also warned that unsupervised Doga may impact the welfare of the dogs, stating: "It is important to remember that dogs can't tell us when they have had enough. Doga, and any variation of it, should always be carried out under the watchful eye of trained professionals".^[2]

Doga enthusiasts have argued^[1] that the practice emphasizes yoga's focus on union between beings, helps establish a pack mentality, strengthens the bond between owner and pet, and can provide additional weight resistance thereby intensifying one's yoga ritual. Doga can purportedly also provide a great source of entertainment for dog-friendly class members."

(www.wikipedia.com)