Dogs conquering yoga!

Yoga is now one of the most practiced physical activities in the world. In any part of the planet there is a person who practices yoga, a discipline that is good for both body and mind.

For some years, however, we have also heard about staves, yoga for dogs. Oh yes, even our furry friends need exercises for the body and the mind.

The doga was born in Japan about ten years ago where the J apan Dog Association of the Nippon Ayurveda School in Tokyo was the first to launch doga courses.

This discipline was then imported a few years ago by Suzy Teitelman in her New York gym.

Yoga + Dog = Stave

The stave consists in practicing a series of yoga exercises suitable for the dog, which the dog will have to try to perform them with us. In making our movements we will not have to limit ourselves either in rhythm or in breathing.

Practicing yoga together with your dog strengthens the bond with him even more and increases the well-being of both.

The plank is a highly recommended practice because, if done well and consistently, it can decrease some symptoms of:

• hypersensitivity

• depression

• anxiety

• stress

• phobias

• hyperactivity

The first stave session

First of all, you need to prepare the room or space in which you are going to practice the plank with your dog. Relaxing background music should also be played.

The environment must be relaxing and positive so that the dog is encouraged to relax by your side.

Find a comfortable position that the dog can replicate easily and sit quietly with your dog. There must be harmony so that the dog can relax.

The first positions must be simple; as the days go by, you can try more complex exercises.

Not all dogs will love the plank, so don't force them to do the exercises if they don't feel like it!