Dog Blog: 4th of July Doga
4th of July Doga
I was barking to my mom that, like Tucker's mom, I wish I could do something to help dogs that are afraid of the fireworks noise and bright light. Well, we barked and talked it over and thought that maybe a little Doga might help, too. Doga is Yoga for dogs. Getting your human involved is really great too 'cause it helps relieve their stress. So here is an idea for a 4th of July Doga practice!
Start with a little alternate nostril breathing. Your human can use their finger instead of their tongue if their tongue won't reach. Putting your tongue in one nostril, breath in 1-2-3 and out 1-2-3, in 1-2-3 and out...you get the idea. Doing this simple exercise really gets both sides of your brain working and it's great because you can do it anytime, anywhere.
While we are still in this sitting position, we'll do the 'opening the chest' exercise. Your mom/dad/human can do this along with you sitting in their chair or on the floor beside you. With feet firmly on the floor, pull your shoulders back. I like to tuck my head a little while doing this one. This will expand and tone the chest muscles while improving your breathing. After getting in position, nice and slowly breath in 1-2-3 and out 1-2-3, in 1-2-3....and out. Do this several times until you develop a sense of calm.
Okay, it's up on your feet for the next one, the 'mountain pose'. Get your human up too. While distributing your weight on your feet, feel strong in this pose, like a mountain, knowing that nothing scares you, even fireworks!
Finally, have a seat for this last one. It's called 'sense withdrawal' and might be exactly the finish you'll need for your 4th of July Doga practice. Draw your senses inward, withdrawing from outside distractions like the sound of fireworks. Slowly breathing in 1-2-3 and out 1-2-3, over and over, experience a profound relaxation as the external world fades from your consciousness.
Enjoy your Doga practice, and we hope it helps this July 4th.
Namaste (the divine doggie in me honors the divine doggie in you)
Astrid
Blog Barks
OO what a great idea about DOGA ..yup yup..MOM is going to do it with Tucker..yup...ooo Monty ...did you see what he wrote?? Fresh boy he is..
Fri 03 Jul 2009 06:00PM by TuckersMom
Bach's Rescue Remedy is great! You can getz it in spray or liquid, and putz it on my tongue or on the inside of my earz. It's all natural and calms down a pup. The one for humanz and dogz is the same.
I dontz have a problem with firecrackers...mama gotz this dvd from England and played it all the time when I was a pup, at first when I was eating. She didz it real low at first then increased the volumn slowly. It's got all sortz of noises, trams, fire engines, police, lorries, baby cries (that one was hard at first) and lotz of firecrackers. Buca doesnt care about firecrackers either...she was conditioned too.
We are going to watch them again this year. But mama sayz she will watch me carefully for signs of stress, panting, yawning...and take me right home.
ok, I gotsta get off...mama wantz to make fruity centerpiece?????
Hugzzz
Monty
ps..your 'opening the chest' pose looks real good on you (*snort, gafaw, hee hee*)
Fri 03 Jul 2009 04:07PM by Monty
Don't forget....everyone likes to see pictures of their friends doing Doga, so c'mon and post yours!
Ahhhhhhh 
OOOOMMMMmmmmm 
Fri 03 Jul 2009 11:58AM by Astrid
