Doga: What Can Dog Yoga Do For You?
Have you ever ‘downward dog’ with someone other than yourself? Did you know there is a puppy pose that can incorporate more than just you in the pose? Sounds a little bizarre, but hear us out - you can practice your yoga moves with your best furry friend! It’s called doga and incorporates you, sometimes some yoga poses, a massage for your four-legged friend and lots of socialization!
The basic yoga that is practiced by many people emphasizes physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation. The concept of dog yoga, or ‘doga’ as it’s referred to, is a style of yoga that aims to boost the bond between you and your pup. While Fido won’t be following along with most of the poses and postures yoga has for humans, this experience gives you and your dog the opportunity to explore stress-reduction techniques together while giving your dog the chance to socialize and discover new experiences together.
The concept of doga was created by a Jacksonville yoga teacher named Suzi Teitelman, who has been teaching dog yoga for 2 decades. She first started bringing her dog to a yoga class right after September 11th in New York, but had been experimenting with alternative yoga practices such as desk yoga and pool yoga so dog yoga didn’t seem like such a stretch when the idea came to her. Suzi gained a lot of media attention when she held a dog yoga class in Washington Square Park in New York and the doga world just sort of grew from there. According to Suzi, ‘dogs are particularly well-suited for yoga sessions because they are open to training and many breeds will become invested in any activity with their humans.’
Doga focuses on gentle stretching, meditation and in some instances, a dog massage. There are 2 styles of dog yoga, a hands-on approach and a more socialization approach. The more hands-on approach has dog owners incorporating their pups into special poses to help relax the body and mind. This is where you would gently guide your dog into simple poses with you along with a massage for them to help with the relaxation and calming. The second approach to dog yoga has your pup exploring the area while the owner practices yoga, giving dogs the chance to socialize and explore on their own terms.
To make the session a little more successful, check out these four tips for taking your dog with you to your yoga session:
You should make sure to bring treats, water and anything else you think your dog might need. Think motivators!
Try practicing at home first so your dog can get a sense of what will be happening and is a little familiar with yoga.
Make sure that your dog is well-trained and well-socialized so they can get along with the other dogs that will be there. This is where you will need to think about your dog’s personality and temperament before taking them.
Always, always ALWAYS have them go potty before heading into your session - it just makes things easier.
If you’re still wondering what you and your dog can get from dog yoga, take a look at these four benefits that can come from practicing together.
Socialization. It’s no secret that this is a social opportunity for all involved. It’s a great way to introduce your dog to other dogs in the area and let them make some new friends while you do the same. The nice thing about this atmosphere is it’s a controlled and more calm environment, so it can help those anxious and shy pups come out of their shell a little bit and not be as overwhelmed. It’s also a great way for you to strike up a conversation with fellow dog owners since you have one big thing in common there - your dogs!
Bonding. Practicing yoga with your dog can have more of an impact on your bond than just sitting and watching TV with them. It creates a more intentional bond with your dog and makes you focus on what is happening in the moment. This gives the both of you the opportunity to try something new together and spend personal time with each other. You can become more aware of each other’s physical and emotional states, providing a better understanding between one another that can be taken even outside of the yoga room.
Physical Benefits. Doga appeals to your dog’s natural instinct to stretch, which helps to improve their flexibility and range of motion. Regular doga can also help with prevention of arthritis and ACL injuries because the simple movements and stretches can improve joint health and muscle mass. You also can’t beat the added exercise this gives your dog!
Relaxation. Settling down is often hard for some dogs, especially if they struggle with anxiety. Doga is a great way to encourage relaxation for your dog while also being able to help teach them tools for calming down outside of the yoga room. With your relaxed state and stretching, doga provides an excellent atmosphere to help your anxious or shy dog on how being calm can be fun and rewarding.
Special note: Before you try something new with your dog that involves anything to do with their physical health, always check with your vet first if you have any concerns or questions about your dog's health and wellbeing.
Before you start jumping into this new trend, remember to take into consideration your dog's temperament and personality. Not all dogs are suited for doga and not all dogs will take to doga; so remember to go at a slow pace to introduce it to your pup and see if it’s something that will work for the both of you. You should also keep in mind that seeing noticeable results in your dog from doga can take some time; the more hyperactive your dog is, the more time it will take to teach them the tools of doga and to see a difference. Keep a clear head, have a patient peace of mind and just remember to live in the moment with your favorite furry friend in this new experience!
Want to give your pup another fun experience? Book a daily dog walker with Going Mutts Pet Services to give your dog that extra boost of fresh air while you’re away at work! Dog walks, dog park trips and playtime in the backyard are just a few things we can help provide for your dog while work keeps you busy. Remember, your dog needs a daily schedule just like your family needs one for back to school, so contact us today to see how we can customize a schedule for your favorite furry friend!
Sources:
https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-exercise-play/doga-practice-yoga-with-your-dog
https://www.thewildest.com/dog-lifestyle/dog-yoga
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/play-exercise/what-is-dog-yoga?lightboxfired=true#