DOGA YOGA
FUN AND INNOVATIVE YOGA
Written by Valentine
Reducible content
Reading time
10 to 15 minutes
DISCOVER DOGA YOGA
YOGA WITH YOUR FAITHFUL FRIEND
Doga Yoga, or yoga for dogs, is a practice that combines traditional yoga postures (asanas) with dog-friendly exercises.
This method allows dog owners to practice yoga while including their pet in the exercises, creating a shared experience and a deeper connection between human and dog.
Doga Yoga is ideal for those who enjoy practising yoga with their pet and wish to strengthen the bond with their dog while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of yoga.
CONTEMPORARY ORIGINS OF DOGA YOGA
Doga Yoga, often simply called Doga, is an innovative yoga practice that integrates pets, specifically dogs, into yoga sessions. The concept originated in the early 2000s in the USA, when yoga and wellness enthusiasts began experimenting with the idea of including their pets in their daily yoga sessions. One of the pioneers of this practice is Suzi Teitelman, a New York-based yoga instructor, who popularized Doga in 2002 after noticing that her dog liked to join her during her yoga sessions. Since then, the practice has grown in popularity, spreading rapidly across the U.S., Europe and other parts of the world.
Doga is based on the principle that dogs, like humans, can benefit from the relaxation andharmony offered by yoga. In this practice, dogs don't necessarily perform the yoga postures themselves, but are integrated into the practice as partners. They can be lifted, carried or guided in certain simple postures, or simply relax alongside their owners during the session. The aim is to create a moment of complicity and connection between master and pet, while enjoying the soothing and harmonizing benefits of yoga.
Historically, the link between man and animal has been a millennia-old one, often associated with healing and well-being. In some spiritual traditions, animals are regarded as beings endowed with a special spiritual energy, and the presence of a pet during meditative or healing practices has often been seen as beneficial. Doga, though a modern practice, draws on this ancestral connection between man and animal, offering a space where the relationship of affection and trust can flourish, while enabling the master to strengthen his own physical and mental balance.
Doga Yoga is an evolution of traditional yoga, particularly inspired by styles such as Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga, which emphasize fluidity of movement and conscious breathing. However, the specificity of Doga lies in the sharing of energy between man and animal. This practice is less about physical performance and more about relaxation, emotional connection and sharing a moment of calm and well-being with your four-legged companion.
In terms of benefits, Doga not only enables human practitioners to enjoy the positive effects of yoga, such as stress reduction, improved flexibility and mental focus, but it also brings advantages for dogs. Animals, like humans, feel soothed in moments of relaxation and can also benefit from a strengthened emotional bond with their master. Doga is also a way ofimproving the socialization of dogs, as it is often practiced in groups, where several owners and their dogs come together to share a collective session.
Since its inception, Doga has enjoyed great success in major metropolises, and has become a popular practice at many wellness retreats and yoga centers around the world. It is part of a wider holistic wellness movement, which emphasizes the idea that physical, mental and emotional well-being concerns not only humans, but also the animals who share their lives. What's more, the practice of Doga echoes the yogic philosophy ofahimsa, or non-violence, which advocates respect and love for all living beings.
In short, Doga Yoga is a playful, comforting and deeply meaningful practice that strengthens not only the practitioner's body and mind, but also his relationship with his pet. It offers a unique yoga experience, centered on connection, presence andunconditional love between master and pet.
HOW A DOGA YOGA SESSION UNFOLDS
A Doga Yoga (yoga with dogs) session is structured to integrate both master and dog in a harmonious, gentle and playful practice. The main aim is to strengthen the bond between handler and dog, while enjoying the benefits of yoga. Each Doga Yoga session takes place in a spirit of connection and sharing, where postures are adapted to include dogs, whether they are active in the poses or simply present alongside their owners. The session is often marked by lightness and playfulness, while respecting the principles of conscious breathing and relaxation.
Doga generally begins with a moment ofwelcome, where participants take the time to settle on their mat with their dog, to create a calm and soothing environment for the animal. Here's a typical flow of a Doga session, including the 10 main postures adapted to this unique practice:
- Sukhasana (Easy Pose): Sitting cross-legged, handler and dog take a few moments to breathe deeply and connect. The animal is often placed on the knees or beside them, creating a moment of calm in which to refocus.
- Tadasana (Mountain pose): The handler stands with the dog at his feet or on a leash to keep him close. This posture helps to lengthen the spine and focus onbalance, while keeping the animal close by.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog): A nod to this emblematic yoga posture, the head-down dog is a way for the master to stretch his back and legs, while inviting the dog to imitate or simply stay at his side, reinforcing the connection through movement.
- Bhujangasana (Cobra): The master performs this posture by lengthening the torso and opening the chest. The dog can be invited to lie down beside or participate by lying down too, reinforcing theinteraction.
- Uttanasana (standing forward bend): In this forward bending posture, practitioners let their backs and legs stretch, while petting their dogs or inviting them to stay in contact with them, bringing shared relaxation.
- Marjaryasana/Bitilasana (Cat/Cow): On all fours, the master alternates between cat and cow posture, and the dog can either lie down beside or stand next to its master. This helps to create harmony of movement and flexibility of the spine.
- Setu Bandhasana (Bridge): The master performs the bridge posture, raising the hips, while the dog can be placed above or below the legs, creating a moment of play and sharing. This posture strengthens the hips and legs, while inviting the animal to stay close.
- Navasana (Boat Pose): Sitting balanced on the buttock bones, owners lift their legs while holding their dog in their arms or letting it lie nearby. This posture engages the abdominals and develops stability.
- Malasana (Garland pose): In crouching posture, practitioners stay close to the ground, often holding the dog's leash or encouraging it to sit close to them. This posture helps toopen the hips andanchor the body, while including the animal in the dynamic of the pose.
- Savasana (Corpse Pose): The final relaxation is a key moment in Doga Yoga. The master lies on his back, while the dog is often encouraged to lie next to him, bringing a sense of security and emotional connection. This posture helps to integrate the benefits of the practice and to relax deeply.
Throughout the session,interaction between handler and dog is central. Physical contact, through petting or massaging, plays an important role in creating an environment of mutual well-being. Dogs are not obliged to actively participate in every posture, but their presence and soothing energy contribute to enriching the experience.
Beyond its playfulness, Doga Yoga offers a genuine opportunity to strengthen the emotional bond between human and animal, while enjoying the physical and mental benefits of yoga. It's common to conclude the session with shared relaxation, where master and dog are invited to rest side by side, in silence or with soft music in the background, fostering a state of inner peace for both.
TYPE OF DOGA YOGA PRACTICE
Doga Yoga, or yoga with dogs, is a unique and playful form of yoga that combines the benefits of traditional yoga with the presence of dogs for a deeply holistic and relational experience. Unlike more dynamic styles of yoga such as Vinyasa orAshtanga, Doga focuses more on relaxation, emotional connection and complicity between master and pet. It's a practice that aims to harmonize the energy between human and dog, while offering each partner an opportunity to strengthen both body and mind.
In terms of practice, Doga involves simple, accessible postures that are modified to welcome the dog's participation. The dog can be involved in the postures as a physical support, be carried by the practitioner, or simply relax alongside. Some postures guide the dog through gentle movements, while others encourage gentle, caring interaction. This is a slow, mindful, letting-go practice, where each movement is performed in the full presence of the animal.
Doga Yoga is inspired by several traditional yoga styles, principally Hatha Yoga and Yin Yoga, which are characterized by a more moderate rhythm and longer held postures. Conscious breathing (Pranayama) plays a key role in this practice, helping to create an inner calm that is felt by both humans and animals. The link between breathing and gentle movement promotes stress reduction and deep relaxation for both handler and dog.
Although they don't perform the yoga postures themselves, dogs feel the benefits of the practice through their closeness to their master and the soothing atmosphere yoga creates. They are often invited to participate in resting postures, physical contact or simply to observe, thus deepening the relationship between human and animal. This closeness and attention to the animal help build mutual trust and improve non-verbal communication.
On a physical level, for humans, Doga improves flexibility, strength and coordination, while stimulating stabilizing muscles that are often neglected. Body suppleness andbalance are developed through gentle postures in which the animal can be carried or integrated into the movements. For the dog, the practice helps to improve socialization and create a secure environment conducive tosoothing and relaxation.
Doga Yoga is also practiced in a community atmosphere, where several handlers and their dogs come together to share a moment of collective well-being. This social dimension enriches the practice, creating moments ofinteraction and sharing between practitioners, while fostering an atmosphere of conviviality and joy.
In short, the practice of Doga is an enriching experience for both human and dog. It cultivates emotional connection, while offering a playful and soothing approach to yoga. Doga enables owners and their companions to create a deep bond, while working to improve their physical and mental well-being.
OBJECTIVES AND BENEFITS OF DOGA YOGA
The aims and benefits of Doga Yoga (yoga with dogs) are manifold, for both human and animal, and go beyond simple physical practice. Doga Yoga aims to nurture emotional connection and create an environment of shared well-being, while bringing physical, mental and emotional benefits to each participant.
On a physical level, one of the main aims of Doga Yoga is to improve the practitioner's flexibility, strength andbalance. The presence of an unstable surface such as the dog's body, or even its simple interaction with the master, calls for greater body awareness. Certain postures, adapted to integrate the dog, call on stabilizing muscles, particularly those of the trunk, legs and shoulders, while offering gentle stretching and joint mobilization. Doga also helps to improve posture, coordination andbalance, while stimulating blood circulation and boosting the immune system.
For the dog, the physical benefits include muscle relaxation and deep relaxation. Although dogs do not perform the postures themselves, their passive or active participation, through gentle movements, helps to improve flexibility and release tension in their bodies. Being gently handled during certain postures also helps to reinforce their confidence in their master and their sense of security.
On the mental level, Doga Yoga aims to calm the mind and induce a state of deep relaxation. Doga sessions often include breathing exercises (pranayama) that help synchronize movements with slow, controlled breathing, thus reducing stress andanxiety. For owners, sharing this experience with their dog reinforces a sense of presence and mindfulness, encouraging an active meditation where every gesture is thoughtful and calming. It also enhances concentration and the ability to be fully in the moment, one of the fundamental principles of yoga.
For dogs, Doga is a soothing experience that reduces their stress andanxiety levels. The calm breathing and gentle movements of their master convey a sense of security. As dogs are sensitive to their owners' emotional state, this practice encourages their mental well-being and inner calm.
On an emotional level, one of the main aims of Doga is to strengthen the bond between master and dog. Yoga is a practice that encouragesemotional openness, and when this practice is shared with an animal, it creates a deep connection based onmutual trust andaffection. Sharing moments of calm and complicity strengthens the emotional bond between master and dog, while improving non-verbal communication and mutual understanding.
Doga Yoga also helps to improve the socialization of dogs. When practiced in a group, this activity enables dogs to interact with other animals in a soothing, non-stressful environment, thus promoting their social well-being. It can also help correct certain behaviors linked to fear or anxiety in the presence of other dogs or humans.
On a spiritual level, Doga Yoga offers a unique experience of connection with others, beyond the usual words and gestures. The simple act of being in harmony with a living being during yoga practice creates an energetic and spiritual connection that nourishes both master and animal. Doga is an experience of deep emotional sharing, where every movement is felt not only by the practitioner, but also by the animal.
In short, Doga Yoga aims to strengthen the body,mind and emotions of both practitioner and dog. It's a soothing, playful practice that nurtures the master-dog relationship while bringing physical and mental benefits to both. Doga is a celebration ofunion and deep connection with a four-legged companion, while cultivating inner peace, complicity and overall well-being.
Valentine's bio
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VALENTINE
1994, Reunion Island, Mauritius, a Life of the Indian Ocean and Yoga
Since childhood, this intrepid traveler has crisscrossed the globe, leaving her footprints on beaches the world over.Passionate about surfing, scuba diving and sailing, she has made the ocean her playground and source of inspiration.
The freedom of the waves, the serenity of the ocean depths and the wind in his sails have punctuated his journey, always guided by a quest for connection with nature.
Through her explorations, yoga has become more than a practice for her - it's a way of life.
Between morning surf sessions and meditative sunsets, she has found in yoga a perfect balance of strength, fluidity and self-awareness.
Today, she combines her passion for water sports with teaching yoga and is part of the Yogaterrae team, here in France, in the South-West and often remotely :)
This adventuress is a true source of inspiration for anyone who aspires to live in harmony with their body and nature.
Through her stories of incredible experiences, she invites everyone to open up to a world where every wave, every breath and every posture is a celebration of life.
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