#Doga: Easy Seated Pose With Pups

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

I guess I've fessed up by now. I've become a yoga geek. Not a Yogi, mind you. Just a #doga geek! Today I'm here to share some ways you can modify the Easy Seated pose, while practicing #doga with your dog. Some of my tips will help you physically perform the pose, while others are more for your bonding experience. Many of these are pictured in the collage above:

• Placing a folded blanket under your bum will raise your seat, pad the tailbone and allow your hips to open with less whining.
• Begin by grounding your "sitting bones" evenly into the blanket or your yoga mat. Balance yourself between the two bones to give yourself a good grounding.
• Position options can include use of a mudra (hand sign that indicates your state of mind), prayer position, upward arms, or an infinite number of other ideas that you're sure to come up with. I most certainly have enjoyed simply stroking one of the dogs as they lay on or across my lap. #glorious
• Before and after enjoying a number of breaths in the Easy Seated Pose, stretch your hips to allow the position to become more comfortable and loose. Don't overdo; just loosen yourself up before beginning.
• If you find your hips are still more tight than usual, you can adjust the stretch by placing rolled up towels or yoga blocks under your legs. Experiment with different positions to get a variety of heights that may offer just the right amount of stretch for you personally. Every day will be different. Embrace this!
• If your hips are beyond tight, try sitting on a chair, listening to your inner voice about balancing and relaxing each of your body parts, while lifting your head and spine to the sky.
• Remember Jess's wise words from her #Doga instructional video on the Easy Seated Pose: each day you'll find that your personal comfort and flexibility will vary. Listen to your body and heed its request for respect.

The dogs and I have so much fun while I'm practicing that more than an hour can pass without my realizing I've been working out. What's more, we're all smiling at the end of the workout and feeling cozy. We nearly always wrap up with some snuggling and a good treat. I like to reward them for spending quality time with me.

I can't tell you how much I love the warm feeling I get when we make eye contact, perform play bows (downward dog is almost the same thing!), come nose to nose, perform for a treat, exchange a kiss, share a lap or give a high five. Tanner has learned to "Do as I do" by mimicking some of my poses. This just melts me! You can see some of these experiences in the collage below which shares some intimate moments caught on camera between me, Tanner and Oliver:


We look forward to seeing you at our next Weekly Wag when we'll share more modifications for your #doga practice that will aid in bonding and performing your yoga positions.

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 this or any other 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 more relaxing pose for you.