Destination Doga Hits the Blue Ridge Parkway

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Warrior I in The Shade

Time certainly has flown by since our September trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway. This journey from the Southernmost beginning to the end of the road was a spectacle every inch of the way. One favorite stop, however, made the trip for me--Mabry Mill. It was here that I enjoyed some serious #DestinationDoga.

It was at this famed mill, where children gathered for history demonstrations, and tourists stopped to take in the beauty, that we found time for a little inspiration of our own in a few relaxing works of Doga. 

Our first spot was in the shade of a gorgeous tree overlooking the mill from the side. I chose Warrior I for its strength, as a great way to show off the proud view of this magnificent historical relic.

Planking at Mabry Mill

When crowds began to gather, Oliver and I pulled up our mat and moved along

down the path, finding a quieter spot for a few more poses. After hours of riding in the RV, I was really feeling the need to stretch as well as work some muscles. The plank is an awesome way to make my whole body talk to me. Whenever anything is amiss, this is the pose in which I generally will discover it.

I spent more time planking than any of the other poses I practiced that day and believe me I felt it the next day. My body was telling me that I better get back to a daily practice, even if only to plank!

A few other poses that hubs caught pics of didn't include my best form, but I'll share anyway as long as you promise no hurtful comments. My yoga is definitely a work in progress! 

The additional poses you'll find below are Downward Dog, Standing Forward Fold, and Easy Sit Pose. It's kinda hard to screw up the last one, but the other two are awful. Thankfully the beautiful scenery is distracting to the viewer. Be kind!

So, where's the most intriguing place that you've practiced yoga? I enjoy practicing on our pool deck when the weather is nice, but have no photos of this as of yet. One day!  Windows are nice also. Most of my earlier photos have been taken at the back doors of my living room, where there's an exit to the pool deck. Unfortunately, there are few areas in my home that can accommodate me and both dogs on a yoga mat without a piece of furniture in the way of the photo. I'm not a fan of rearranging rooms to practice. If yoga is easy to prepare for, I'm much more likely to dive in.

Tell me what you do to make your practice ready to go at a moment's notice. Thanks for joining us. Watch for more Doga posts coming soon, and feel free to visit our dedicated page of Doga videos, modification ideas and more, at this link.

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Balancing Your Doga Practice

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Doga practice can definitely be modified to be more therapeutic for your dog or for yourself. Each of us puts our own slant on our doga practice, whether choosing to place emphasis on our own or our dog's health, or both. Either way you roll, make sure you always remember the bonding.

Recently I had the opportunity to try a K9 Fit Club workout while at Barkworld Expo. This experience reminded me of how much fun I used to have enjoying agility training with Tanner and Oliver. Unfortunately, returning to outdoor agility in the Florida heat has become increasingly more challenging. However, I could quickly see that the K9 Fit Club method of dog and owner fitness, mental stimulation and bonding could be a wonderful addition to my doga practice at home, indoors where I can control the climate. :)

Some doga practitioners advocate using gentle stretches with their dogs. Not being trained in this activity, I have chosen not to encourage more than those bonding activities that we feel comfortable doing without expert guidance. I can safely lift 10-pound Oliver to add weight and challenge, and can use Tanner's brawny body as a block or balancing aid quite easily. Beyond that I'm not qualified to encourage you to stretch your dog, especially when I don't know your dog's unique health situation. At K9 Fit Club you'll find instructors who have been trained and certified to teach these sorts of healthful activities safely. Check it out; it's loads of fun.

That said, if you choose to help your dog gain flexibility, please proceed with either a certified fitness instructor or the assistance of a canine physical therapist. Be safe to avoid overworking any of your dog's joints or soft tissues.

Next, know that your doga workout may morph as you continue to progress. You may find that your dog gradually begins to enjoy joining you for practice when early on he simply wanted to watch from afar. Much of this change in attitude comes from not pushing him too fast, allowing him to adjust his comfort level at his own pace. Taking your time with this introduction could easily help you gain a lifetime of bonded practice with your dog.

Don't forget that many yoga poses have two sides. It's important for you to always practice both sides. One side will generally be less strong or less flexible than the other. That's normal, so don't fret. If you choose, give the weakest side an extra breath or two to help it catch up to your other side. Do not, however, persist too long in one position. If it hurts, stop and return to a relaxing pose that allows you to regain your calm perspective.

Remember that yoga is a philosophy as well as a workout. Getting in touch with your body, it's messages, strengths and weaknesses, will make you feel whole. If you're comfortable with tackling a bit of meditation, this practice may leave you pleasantly surprised once you gain the ability to release yourself into the mantra, clearing your mind. When you are able to concentrate totally on the meditative phrase or sound, you'll be giving yourself a gift that will repay you with inner peace.

Returning to my introductory instructions, please always remember to drink before, during and after your yoga practice. Hydration helps the muscles become more supple, increasing flexibility naturally, while reducing the possibility of post-practice spasms.

Finally, don't embark on a yoga regimen without a few basics to protect yourself. Loose or stretchy clothing, that allows you to move freely, is imperative to your safety and comfort. A padded, non-slip yoga mat will protect your knees, while assuring you're far less likely to slide and get injured. Carpet just doesn't offer this same protection.

If you're new to yoga, I do recommend you visit your personal physician for a heads up on any concerns that may be indicated for your unique health. For me, this means no yoga in heated classes. A common form of yoga at many studios these days, this environment is unhealthy for me, personally. Make this choice with your doctor's full approval.

Three additional items are all important to your enjoyment and success in yoga: a sturdy chair for balance in some poses, a blanket to provide support and padding when needed, and a couple of blocks to adjust your stretch to meet your own personal needs. Setting up a home yoga practice area doesn't require much investment or space. I'm even able to practice yoga in my small RV while traveling, and use the rear entrance to my living room or my office as favorite practice areas at home. I simply roll out the mat and call the dogs to join me. A treat container of their favorite goodies, 2 blocks, a blanket, and a chair are always nearby to complete my personal yoga studio.

When using your yoga practice as a time to bond with your dogs, we recommend adding extra time to your practice and being flexible with stopping and starting. Encourage your dogs to join you with a soft voice, slow movements, and an occasional treat when your dog is especially 

One last time, if it hurts, stop. It really doesn't matter if your version of the pose looks just like an instructor's or a photo you've seen. As long as you maintain good alignment, you'll preserve your healthy joints and posture, while not injuring any connective tissue or muscles. Safety first!

Namaste,

If you're new to Doga or Yoga, please be sure to do these three things: (1) Get your doctor's permission to start a yoga workout, (2) Check with your vet to make sure your dog is able to participate in simple Doga exercises safely, and (3) visit our introductory post where I've outlined a few tips that will help your experience go more smoothly and enjoyable. Keep in mind that you can always stop if a pose is uncomfortable, returning to a relaxing pose.

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Dogs are Not Alone in Yoga: Cats Want In Too!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

I've been having a lot of fun developing a yoga regimine that includes my dogs. I'm now breaking out of the initial beginners workout that I presented here to build in slightly more challenging poses, while also enjoying some occasional searches of the web to see what else is going on in this tiny niche of workout wonder.

Surprisingly, I'm behind the curve. Huffington Post recently collected doga and cat yoga videos from Youtube--something I had yet to investigate--that share the hilarity of both cats and dogs interrupting their pet parents as mom (or dad) practice their asanas (poses). You're sure to get a good laugh out of the video.

You'll find lots of photos on my Pinterest page of pet parents in Doga classes or practicing at home. I've curated what's available by Google Images to save you searching the lot of what's out there. 

If some of these photos inspire you to give our new workout method a try, I invite you to visit our page of video instruction, where you'll find a series of short videos to help you learn how to correctly perform the pose, while adding a bit of Fido fun to your time on the mat. Make sure to bond and encourage your pup to participate, if only by watching from the edge of your mat. 

One last thing. If you do nothing else, please read my suggestions for preparing. Most importantly don't skip the opportunity to chat with your doctor about your ability to practice yoga safely. The same goes for your dog if you choose to involve him in anything beyond bonding silliness; your call. Enjoy!

Namaste,

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