Yoga For Dogs – A Unique Concept

Yoga is very popular and it is believed that it is one of the best activities for human that can cure or prevent numerous ailments. However, a unique concept emerging is Yoga for Dogs.

Yoga is very popular among health enthusiasts all over the world. It is widely believed that it can not only prevent but also has the healing powers in respect of many ailments, especially nagging joint pains and stomach problems among others. However, dog lovers have brought up the concept of Yoga for dogs on the simple logic that if human medications and activities can have affects on the health of animals; why not yoga?

Extending Yoga Benefits to Pets

For centuries, people have been positioning themselves in poses like the lotus, salute to Sun as well downward facing dog practicing yoga. But in recent years there has been a growing consciousness among the yoga practicing people that its extension can benefit their most trusted companion; the pet dogs. That has brought up the unique concept of yoga for dogs or as it is popularly known, “doga”.

Doga Benefits

Certainly the extension of yoga for dogs will bring up benefits for the dog but what they really could be?

• According to some experts; yoga would be great socializing experiences for the pet dogs;
• Yoga can be practiced involving the dog in the process rendering it a practice session for both and benefiting both the dog owner and the dog;
• Major benefits are relaxation, stress relief and improved blood circulation in the body of the dog.
• Practice of yoga can easily prevent ailments like arthritis, gout, and other painful syndromes that dogs experience even during their young ages; and
• Doga can keep the dog healthy and cheerful all the times.

Different Approaches

Of course the use of yoga for dogs will require an experienced instructor that can help out the process. However, the approach of different instructors varies widely. Some of them are as follows.

• Some experts teach yoga to people allowing their dogs to wonder freely around.
• Others encourage people to bring their dogs to yoga classes so that the dog can watch and often imitate the postures.
• Instructors that take more dog centric approach use their human students to help out dogs performing yoga and often end up the session by massaging out the dogs.

Routines Commensurate to Size

While dogs of any size can get involved in yoga but the performing acts will vastly differ with the size of the dogs. Many yoga postures involve lifting the body that could be really difficult for the large sized dogs. For them lifting won’t be the major requirement. Instead postures that could be good for large dogs are -

• Laying the dog on its back while the owner or instructors stroke their backs;
• Making the dog sitting on hind legs and holding the dog from behind raising its front paws in air;
• Making it lie down smoothly on its back while stroking its belly; and
• Laying the dog on its stomach and spreading its front legs outwards.

Owner and instructor have to take care of the fact that they do not cause discomfort or injuries to their pet dog in the process of teaching them yoga for dogs.

 

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