Doga vs. Puppy Yoga What’s the Difference?
Have you heard about Doga and puppy yoga? While both activities involve practicing yoga with dogs, the experiences can be vastly different. Understanding these differences is essential, especially given recent concerns about puppy yoga in England. Let’s explore the nuances of these practices and why ethical considerations are crucial.
What is Doga?
Bonding Through Yoga
Doga combines traditional yoga practices with the companionship of your dog. It’s not just about physical exercise—it’s about deepening the bond between you and your furry friend. Dogs naturally love to stretch, so inviting them onto the mat can be a rewarding experience for both of you.
Natural Behaviors Encouraged
In Doga, dogs are encouraged to participate naturally. You might find your dog mimicking your poses or simply enjoying being close to you. The key here is the invitation—your dog should want to join you on the mat, not be forced.
The Concept of Puppy Yoga
Playful and Therapeutic
Puppy yoga started as a way to combine the therapeutic benefits of yoga with the joy of playing with puppies. The idea is to practice yoga surrounded by a litter of playful puppies, creating a delightful and stress-relieving experience for participants.
Ethical Concerns
While the concept seems heartwarming, puppy yoga has unfortunately taken a dark turn in some places. Specifically, in England, there have been reports of unethical practices that exploit puppies.
The Dark Side of Puppy Yoga in England
Unethical Practices
Recent reports from England have highlighted troubling practices in some puppy yoga sessions. Unscrupulous “rescuers” have been found taking puppies from shelters and using them as props in yoga classes. These puppies, often too young to be separated from their mothers, are forced into stressful environments and onto yoga mats.
Physical and Emotional Harm
This exploitation risks the physical and emotional well-being of the puppies. They are subjected to stressful conditions with no regard for their natural behaviors or needs. The lack of regulation in this practice has sparked outrage among animal lovers and welfare organizations.
Undermining Animal Welfare
Using puppies as yoga props undermines the ethical principles of animal welfare and adoption. It turns a potentially therapeutic activity into a harmful one, both for the animals and the people who care about them.
Ensuring Ethical Practices
Doing it Right
Both Doga and puppy yoga can be done ethically and humanely. The key is ensuring that the dogs or puppies are willing participants. Here are some tips:
- Invitation, Not Force: Always invite your dog or puppy to join you. Never force them onto the mat.
- Consider Their Comfort: Make sure the environment is comfortable and stress-free for the animals.
- Follow Ethical Guidelines: Adhere to guidelines set by animal welfare organizations to ensure the well-being of the animals involved.
Conclusion
While Doga and puppy yoga can offer wonderful experiences, it’s crucial to prioritize the well-being of the animals involved. By understanding the differences between these practices and the importance of ethical considerations, we can ensure that our furry friends enjoy the experience as much as we do. If you’re interested in exploring these practices further, make sure to choose reputable classes that prioritize animal welfare.
Remember, it’s not just about the yoga—it’s about creating a harmonious and respectful bond with our beloved pets. Let’s practice with love, care, and compassion.
Doga vs. Puppy Yoga: So, What’s the Difference?
In the world of fitness and wellness, unique and fun variations of traditional practices are always emerging. Two such trends that have captured the hearts of animal lovers and yogis alike are Doga and Puppy Yoga. But what exactly are they, and how do they differ? Let’s explore these two delightful forms of yoga and see which might be the perfect fit for you and your furry friend.
What is Doga?
Doga, a blend of “dog” and “yoga,” is a practice that involves doing yoga with your dog. It’s a collaborative activity where both the pet owner and their dog engage in yoga poses together.
Key Features of Doga:
- Bonding Time: Enhances the bond between you and your dog through shared activities.
- Calming and Relaxing: Helps to calm both the owner and the dog, reducing stress and anxiety.
- Physical Benefits: Both you and your dog get a gentle workout.
- Community Building: Often done in group settings, fostering a sense of community among dog owners.
In a typical Doga session, you might perform traditional yoga poses while incorporating your dog into the movements. For instance, during a downward-facing dog pose, your dog might stretch alongside you or stand on your lap during seated poses.
What is Puppy Yoga?
Puppy Yoga is a yoga class where puppies are allowed to roam freely, interacting with participants as they please. Unlike Doga, where you practice yoga with your own dog, Puppy Yoga offers the chance to do yoga surrounded by playful puppies.
Key Features of Puppy Yoga:
- Playfulness and Joy: The presence of puppies adds an element of joy and playfulness to the practice.
- Stress Relief: Interaction with puppies has been shown to reduce stress and increase happiness.
- Socialization for Puppies: Helps in socializing the puppies, making them more comfortable around humans.
- Flexibility: Participants can focus on their practice while enjoying the company of puppies, without needing to involve their own pets.
During a Puppy Yoga session, you might find puppies climbing on your back during a plank pose or cuddling next to you during a savasana (resting pose). The spontaneous interactions with puppies make each session unique and filled with laughter.
Key Differences between Doga and Puppy Yoga:
- Interaction with Pets:
- Doga involves practicing yoga with your own dog.
- Puppy Yoga involves practicing yoga in the presence of puppies that roam freely.
- Focus of the Practice:
- Doga focuses on the mutual interaction and bonding between you and your dog.
- Puppy Yoga primarily focuses on enjoying the playful and calming presence of puppies.
- Physical Involvement of Animals:
- In Doga, dogs are often physically incorporated into the yoga poses.
- In Puppy Yoga, puppies interact with participants as they wish, without being directly involved in the yoga poses.
- Purpose and Benefit:
- Doga aims to strengthen the bond between you and your dog while providing mutual physical and mental benefits.
- Puppy Yoga aims to bring joy and relaxation through the playful presence of puppies, offering a unique and stress-relieving environment.
Unique yet Different
Both Doga and Puppy Yoga offer unique and delightful ways to combine the benefits of yoga with the joy of being around dogs. Whether you want to deepen your bond with your own dog through Doga or find joy and relaxation in the presence of puppies through Puppy Yoga, both practices bring a smile to your face and peace to your mind.
Puppy Yoga has taken a bad turn with people just trying to make a buck in England and not in it for the true benefits.
Thinking about giving one a try?
