Introducing Your Dog To Yoga - 5 Practical Advantages of Doga

Health & Wellness

WRITTEN BY: AMY DAVIS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

For many years yoga has been a tranquil and peaceful state of mind that countless people turn to to find inner peace, greater flexibility and a decrease in stress and tension.

Intriguingly, this worldwide phenomenon has been extended to the most unusual place: our pets! As pets have been associated with better states of mind and a heightened feeling of self-worth and self-love, it’s not hard to see why pets and yoga have been used in the same setting.

Dogs are a perfect example of this as pet owners often seek out a new experience with their trusted friends and lifelong four-legged companions.

Instead of spending money on grooming tools such as a dog nail grinder or other similar pet care gadgets, why not set aside a small budget for something that could heighten your dog’s mental state? Introduction to Dog Yoga

The concept of Doga was made popular by Suzi Teitelman, a world-renowned yoga teacher. She intended to bend the rules and explore a deeper sense of connection with her pets.

It wasn’t long until many yoga studios, indoor gymnasiums, health centers and animal shelters adopted the same idea. It is now a very popular form of dog exercise and dog stress release treatment.

The true purpose of “Doga” is to create a better connection with yourselves and to your dog. It also is a fantastic opportunity to increase your dog exercise,

Image by Pexels expand your social circle and generally decrease anxiety and tensions.

Dogs get stress just as frequently as their owners do, so it’s important to find unique and fresh ways to decrease tension and strengthen your bond.

Interestingly, the term Dog Yoga rarely involves your dog doing poses and asanas. Instead, it’s a gentle way to increase your dog’s mobility and get them involved in simple stretching including gentle exercise.

Whether it’s your first time trying out dog yoga or you’re a seasoned veteran who just needs a reminder, here are the 5 benefits of dog yoga.

5 Benefits of Yoga for Dogs (“D-oga”)

1. Bonding

Dog Yoga is a fantastic way to bond with your dog. As the stresses and strains of the world pile down on you and those around you, it’s not uncommon for your dog to act as a sponge.

If left untreated, these absorbed feelings of tension and anxiety can manifest into deeper and more severe dog behaviour problems.

To ensure that your dog can release their stresses, you must do regular activities together to reaffirm your strong bond together.

Dog yoga is the perfect excuse to get up, get out and have some fun in a structured, friendly and positive environment.

2. More Exercise

An additional benefit of “Doga” is the increased exercise that both the owner and the dog will get. This fact holds for senior dogs who may need a bit of a nudge to keep fit and carry out everyday exercise routines.

Furthermore, dogs that are injured will benefit immensely from this gentle form of exercise and outdoor activity. Dog yoga is a light form of exercise that will increase blood flow and aid mobility, which will benefit injured dogs greatly.

If your dog is the unenthusiastic type then get them up, get them out and try it for yourself!

3. Relaxation

Yoga has been proven to help relax the body, mind and spirit in a gentle and impactful way.

“Doga” simulates these exact qualities throughout your dog lowering stress and increasing calmness and tranquillity.

If your dog is hyperactive or has started acting out then this may be the perfect environment to calm them down.

The Doga experience usually has a dual effect on your dog. First of all, it promotes calmness of the mind through long sessions, controlled breathing and silence.

Secondly, it helps your canine burn energy with controlled movements and with structured stretches.

These two effects are the biggest reason participants feel a deeper and more peaceful state after each session and are always return.

4. Meet New People

Besides the obvious positive health attributes to Doga, many participants agree that doga classes are a great way to meet new people.

This is true for both pet and pet owner, giving all participants an enhanced social experience that helps with bonding and finding friends.

The best part is that people who attended these types of classes have a lot in common. For example, they are all pet owners, they all love and care about the wellbeing of their dog and they are all open-minded enough to give it a try.

These factors alone keep the environment friendly, safe and open which are ideal prerequisites for an impactful doga session.

5. Entertainment

It’s not uncommon for some people to take the ‘Doga” experience to the next level and find value in deeper and more intrinsic bonds.

This experience gives the participants the chance to form deep bonds or, conversely, just enjoy the lighthearted experience of watching dogs stretching in fun ways.

Either way, there is value in each session and regardless of your previous experience, you are welcome to give it a try.

The key is to be mindful of the reasons why you have attended the class in the first place and whatever that reason is to approach it with structure and discipline.

To get the most out of every session we recommend these few things:

· Try to help your dog to be curious without trying to force them to do anything.

· Bigger dogs should be encouraged to join in by stretching alongside you.

· Every size dog can be gentled reminded to rest by your side during quieter times.

If you want to give it a try then get down to your local health center, yoga studios or animal shelters and see if they have any sessions already happening. If they don’t, reach out and start one up in your area! ■

Hey, I’m Amy and I’m in love with my pets! I have a diverse variety, including 2 cats, 1 dog, 3 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs, a rat and a beautiful macaw. I love writing about everything pet-related and spend as much time as I can sharing my personal experiences on my blog. UltimatePetHub.com