Today, we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor: Westside Yoga and Doga. Longtime West Seattle residents Kelly Page and Brenda Bryan have joined forces to bring a new locally owned Yoga and Doga studio to Morgan Junction. Brenda is internationally known as the author and creator of Barking Buddha Doga, and Kelly trained with 5 of the 30 certified Ashtanga teachers in the world. Her primary teacher was David Garrigues, and she has traveled to Mysore, India, to study with Sharath Ragaswamy and Shri K. Pattabhi Jois to learn the classical Ashtanga yoga style. Together they have opened up the first Doga and Ashtanga Yoga studio in the United States. Westside Yoga and Doga opened its doors to Yogis and Dogis on February 22. Ashtanga Yoga, made popular by celebrities such as Madonna, Christy Turlington, Adam Yauch and Sting, is a physically challenging and traditional yoga style dating back to 2000+ years and Doga is a new and nontraditional Yoga practice with dogs. Although different in approach, Kelly and Brenda realized their goals for creating a community and an awareness of well being for people and animals were very similar. Kelly and Brenda met as Yoga instructors at a popular Seattle Yoga studio, but it was their love of dogs and their involvement in the dog-rescue community that brought them together as friends and business partners. In addition to teaching, writing and running Westside Yoga and Doga, Brenda will continue her work with The Seattle Humane Society. Aside from running the Yoga and Doga studio, and being mom to a three year old, Kelly will continue her work as Washington State representative for Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization that rescues dogs off chains and passes legislation for the betterment of dogs continually chained. Westside Yoga and Doga will also advocate out of their studio with a rescued “Dog of the Week,” as well as fundraising and education for the betterment of our canine companions and their people. Westside Yoga and Doga will be open daily with a variety of classes, including Ashtanga Yoga with live music every Monday morning by classical Indian musician Brandan McIntosh on sarod, Doga classes, family yoga, prenatal, workshops and Barking Buddha Doga teacher training. Memberships include the “just people” classes and also the dog and people classes. All levels of Yogis and Dogis are welcome! Westside Yoga and Doga is online at westsideyogadoga.com; 206-501-4474.

We thank Westside Yoga and Doga for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our sponsor team, and info on joining, all here.

NOTE: Westside Yoga and Doga hosts a special benefit for Dogs Deserve Better this Friday night, 6-9 pm – see the flyer here.