Yoga is a relaxation and health exercise that’s been used for centuries, but it’s changed drastically over the years. First originating in India over 2,500 years ago, there are many new styles that have been invented for modern audiences. One of those styles is known as dog yoga or “DOGA”. These are the benefits of dog yoga for mental and physical wellness, from improving your health to the happiness of your dog.
What Is Dog Yoga
Dogs and yoga seem like a weird mix at first. So what is dog yoga exactly? There are two common ways that people practice dog yoga, and it’s important to find out which one works better for you. The first type of dog yoga is the simpler kind, including your furry friend in your yoga classes by simply letting them hang out with you.
This is the easier method, and even dogs who aren’t well trained or used to this type of activity can participate. The second type of “DOGA” involves both you and your dog participating in simple yoga poses, such as a simple puppy yoga pose or downward dog yoga.
This allows your dog to actually participate in the yoga at the same time you do, and can be a great exercise for your dog as well.
Physical Benefits
So what are the benefits of dog yoga? There are a multitude of benefits, but some of the most common and well-documented include the physical benefits of the exercise.
Strength & Flexibility
Yoga is already well-known for improving muscle strength as well as your flexibility. Of course, dog yoga is very similar, providing the same benefits of traditional yoga such as increasing blood circulation and keeping both you and your dog’s joints healthy.
Not only that, but dog yoga is a safe way to exercise snub-nosed dogs since it's a very low-energy and slow-paced exercise. For physical health, dog yoga is a top-notch pick.
Relaxation
No matter if you think that relaxation is more of a mental or a physical phenomena, dogs and yoga go together like peas in a pod when it comes to relaxation.
Dogs have plenty of complex emotions, and while they might not feel stress in the same way as humans, your dog will no doubt experience many of the same benefits that you do.
And when it comes to solving stress and even anxiety, there’s almost no better exercise than yoga.
Mental & Emotional Benefits
The physical benefits of yoga are well documented, but those aren’t all the benefits you and your furry friend will experience.
Instead, you’ll find a plethora of mental and emotional benefits to your dog yoga as well. So when you’re doing a puppy yoga pose, you’ll find yourself feeling happier as well.
Boosts Mood
Believe it or not, studies indicate that interacting with animals can improve your mood by releasing something called oxytocin. In fact, it won’t just boost your mood—it’ll boost the mood of your dog as well.
Multiple studies have shown that when dogs and humans interact in a positive way, both exhibit increased levels of oxytocin. This is something that makes dog yoga an obvious benefit, but it doesn’t end there.
Even simply petting animals has been shown to lower cortisol levels as well, which means that you’ll become more relaxed and less stressed just by participating in your DOGA exercises.
Helps with Loneliness
For people who may struggle to get out and find social interaction, going to a dog yoga class is a great idea. Not only will you meet like-minded individuals who are also dog owners, you’ll be able to interact with other awesome dogs as well.
This goes for your dog, too. Keep in mind that being part of a community is a big benefit and drive for dogs, not just humans.
Trauma Recovery
For individuals struggling with emotional trauma, PTSD, or various mental issues, doggy yoga can be a great way to recover.
Animal interaction is often used in trauma care due to the sense of safety, the release of oxytocin, and the lowering of cortisol. For these reasons, individuals who find themselves in this position might find that dog yoga is one of the first steps to healing.
Bonding
This should be an obvious benefit, but DOGA is a great bonding experience for both humans and their furry friends.
Keep in mind that dogs and yoga mix well, so that downward dog yoga you usually practice might prove to be the bonding experience you need to take the relationship you have with your dog to the next level.
While it’s always important to bond with your dog at every possible moment, dog yoga can take this bonding experience to the next level.
Very similar to allowing your dog to compete or training your dog or even going for a run together, it’s a shared activity that allows dog and owner to participate in the same thing.
Poses
For those who are crucially interested in dog yoga but don’t know how to get started with DOGA, there are plenty of simple poses that allow you to get started practicing right from your home.
Whether you’re in your backyard or on your front porch, getting started with your furry friend is as simple as learning a few easy poses.
Quiet Lotus
One of the most simple poses, quiet lotus pose begins with simply sitting, connecting with yourself, and placing one hand on your heart while your other hand is on your dog’s heart.
This pose is one of the easiest ones to do, and will help your most likely active dog calm down easily. This is usually a starter position, used before moving to more advanced positions.
Downward Facing Dog
Downward dog yoga is most likely one of the most famous poses—and also one of the easiest poses for your dog to participate in. It’s a pose that is easily achieved by your dog as well as you, strengthening your arms and taking a load off your back.
This position is a perfect one and your dog will quickly realize what they need to do during it.
Plank
Plank pose is one of the simplest poses to achieve as well, and can be done with forearms on the ground or even just your hands depending on what level of challenge you want.
For individuals who are used to working out, you could even consider letting your furry friend step up and provide some extra weight and challenge.
Dog Yoga Tips
Dogs and yoga might both be healthy for you, but that doesn’t mean the first time will go well. Instead, you might find yourself struggling to teach your dog the positions, struggling to get your furry friend to hold still, or even struggling with the yoga positions yourself.
Instead of giving up, however, there are plenty of easy solutions that might help with beginning your dog yoga journey.
Let The Dog Lead
Keep in mind that your dog might not like DOGA at the beginning. It’s important to not push your dog too hard. Instead, take it slow and easy, and let your dog get used to the journey and the experience.
Don’t force anything. It’s not something you can easily teach or learn in one day. Instead, just enjoy this time with your pooch and relax.
Work Up To It
Remember, starting with complex poses isn’t necessary. Any yoga position is yoga, and that’s an important distinction to make. Just like your dog, your first experience with yoga needs to be a positive one.
Even sitting on the floor with your dog in front of you can get you used to the idea of dog yoga, and can quickly help you build your way up from nothing to expert.
A great tip is to try and sync your breathing with the breath of your dog. This alone will help you to relax, and can be a great start to your dog yoga day.
Doing Dog Yoga
Keep in mind that everyone’s experience with dog yoga will be different. Some people believe that dog yoga trivializes the spiritual practice of yoga, and others’ dogs might not be healthy enough to practice some of the poses.
For many owners, however, dog yoga will provide tremendous benefits to both dog and owner. And keep in mind that you need to go at your own pace—don’t push it, and live in the zen.
At the end of each session, simply choose a mantra to say, sit with your pup, and take a few seconds to relax. You’ll find out quickly that dog yoga is one of the best experiences you can have with your pooch.
