It may sound nuts but can it be possible to do yoga with your dog? Our furry friends can feel left out when we sit down to do yoga. They may poke their nose in to see what’s going on, and it’s never nice to leave them locked outside the door. Scratches and whines tell you exactly what they think of that. So why not try and train your dog in the ancient art of yoga so that they can accompany you?
Is it possible?
If you find that your skepticism is mounting consider the fact that your mutt will in all likelihood stick with you, provided that you share a comfortable bond. They are curious about what you do, and yoga – when they get used to it, can have a calming effect on their mind and is a great way to placate and exercise a hyperactive dog.
Think about it. You have taught them to sit, shake paws, maybe roll over, lie down and fetch. Can we not add a few slightly more sophisticated postures to this repertoire?
Really, observe your animal. Often you will find that they settle down into child’s pose by themselves. When they stand up, you can see them stretch into downward-facing dog. They do this intuitively. What is to say that, like your walk – they would not learn to do yoga with us eventually?
Dog Yoga Benefits
Dogs are often excited and curious about anything new that they see their human doing and when you first try and introduce them to yoga, it’s likely that they would respond in the same way. It would require patience and some degree of imparting discipline to get your pup to follow your poses. When they are able to do so, however, and in the practice of inculcating these traits – you may notice marked shifts in their degree of impulse control and coordination.
This is also a great bonding opportunity for you and your mutt, and you are not alone. Suzi Teitelman is a pet exercise expert based out of New York City. For about twenty years now she has been teaching people how they can introduce their mutts to the practice of yoga. You can reach out to her on dogadog.org and get involved with the community!
This practice, when approached properly – can be a great stress buster, much like your regular yoga practice. The therapeutic effects of yoga are well known, apart from being a form of exercise it improves mood and helps us unlock dormant energy while also teaching us how to regulate it. Surely, these are traits that canines can benefit from!
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Dog yoga positions
So what are the asanas precisely which we may hope to teach our pups? We have already mentioned downward facing dog and child’s pose which seem to come intuitively to them. To this we may add:-
Upward Facing Dog
You may notice that occasionally, once your dog gets up from their rest, instead of arching their back and extending their front legs forward into downward-facing dog, they extend their chest and lower their hips into upward facing dog. This seems to help them stretch their legs and hips. With some guidance, we may be able to teach them how to perform this simple and natural movement on cue.
Chuturanga
The plank to pushup position is an important facet of our yoga practice. Your mutt can follow you here too! In fact, this is one of the easier positions to teach them. If they know how to sit with their chest on the ground, they can already do the bottom position. From there all they have to do is stand with some slowness and deliberation. In fact, it seems unfair as it’s easier for them than it is for us.
Been doing these traditional postures and would like to reward your mutt for their willingness to try new things? Give puppy paw mudra a try. Have your pup lie on their belly with their paws ahead of them. Sit behind them in child’s pose, but instead of resting your forehead on the mat, bend forward over your dog’s back and extend your palms over their paws. This can be very comforting and your pet will love you for it.
These positions and their practice will teach your mutt to trust you. It will build their coordination and circulation, is a way to rehabilitate an injured or obese dog. They will also, essentially, improve communication and understanding between your pup and yourself.
Precautions While Doing Yoga With Dogs
A few pointers to keep in mind when you start on this practice:-
Allow your pup’s curiosity to naturally lead the way. This will allow you to welcome them into the space and practice that you have set up. Instruct them in a position till they are willing to try it, and if they flop back on the mat; smile and carry on on your own.
Inculcating such a form of exercise in a dog is not easy. It may be possible but you cannot expect it to come in one sitting. Patience is key.
You may be anxious to have your dog try a new pose, to follow you into everyone even. This may be unrealistic and you should always bear in mind that their bodies are not the same as ours. This means that some postures would have to be modified for them to attempt it in any form, be mindful of this and be creative and considerate in your modifications.
Ensure you are well-prepared to avoid any urinary mess causing excitement during the yoga section. Additionally, check if your dog is in heat or in dog period, you’ll notice some fairly obvious signs. Having dog belly bands or dog diapers for heat will make you feel like a true zen master as you practice yoga together
ALSO READ: Can Dogs Help Women Overcome Anxiety And Depression?
Conclusion
Teach your dog to do yoga, like training your dog, in general, is a journey, to use a slightly worn metaphor. It may be a rewarding, and indeed a fulfilling experience if you can show them something of what we have found in the practice of yoga that has made it such an enduring part of our culture. The joy that comes with sharing a practice is a bond that will enrich your relationship, and this is worth working towards.
It will call for patience, understanding and compassion, aspects which perhaps are in key with the original teaching which yoga has sought to impart to its practitioners; introducing this to our four-legged friends can be a gift, even if it is an arduous one, that we impart. Moreover, it is a way of spending quality time with your mutt without letting them feel left out when you get on your mat and maybe this alone is enough to justify trying it out.