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.

#DogaTreats Awarded to Photo Loving Entrants

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

courtesy @dacemule via Twitter

The top activity reported as a favorite in our currently ongoing #BarkworldExpo Swag Bag giveaway happens to be playing fetch with a flying disc, so it was no great surprise to receive this adorable photo from a Twitter follower whose dog enjoys this sport. Throwing, catching and returning a flying disc is most definitely a training feat, and one that is great for working your dog's brain and body.

Today's winners of the #DogaTreats giveaway largely reported enjoying walking with their dogs, although one lucky lady has a twosome that enjoys swimming, just like our boy, Tanner. You'll see their photo below. Wouldn't it be fun to get our threesome together?!!

Each of our submissions was shared either via Twitter or Facebook, showing off your precious pups. As always I enjoyed seeing new faces as well as old friends of All Things Dog Blog. I hope you're warming up your cameras, as football season has begun and that can mean only one thing--#SuperDogSunday is coming!

courtesy @SharonGilbert6 via Twitter

If you're not familiar with this football-themed photo contest, let's give you a quick primer. Each year prior to Super Bowl Sunday I invite my readers to submit football-themed photos of their dogs, cats or other pets, as well as Petfinder adoptable pets. Photos can be submitted using simple photography with backdrops, costuming, themed items, or graphic additions. Judging categories will be provided for all options. 

Once again, I plan to offer this contest to promote Petfinder adoptables, encourage donations to Petfinder Foundation, and to simply have fun creating cute pics with our pups. 

As always there will be prizes--lots of them! Watch for more on this in the coming months as we begin to align ourselves with products and put together fun prize packages for all our furry friends.

courtesy CastorPolluxPet.com

Now, back to our #DogaTreats winners. They are @ShellChis, @Marshflitter, @Homesteadwitch, @dacemule, @Kimtrax13, and @SharonGilbert6. Each will be receiving 3 bags of Good Buddy treats from the folks at Castor and Pollux Pet folks, direct to their doors. I've Tweeted these lucky winners and requested shipping information. Check your mentions to assure you get your information to me quickly. 

Meanwhile, I invite you to join me for more Doga fun, enjoying some bonding time with your dogs while getting yourself into shape. You'll find a complete library of video yoga instruction, along with additional modifications to make your yoga practice with Fido a bit more manageable. Find this and much more at the link. See you soon!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Destination Doga: Mabry Mill, VA

Namaste,

All Things Dog Blog currently shares an advertisement for Castor and Pollux Pet. We choose to work with this company because we have found their products to be of superior quality. 

#TreatRight Reminder: Draw Solace from Your Dog

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Bonding Before the #TreatRight Party

It's been a tough week here at the All Things Dog Blog household, completely blowing away all the cheer that came our way the week before. After so much good news in our previous week I was riding a cloud of joy for the Boyko girls. Admittance to medical school and passing the BAR exam were definitely high points! This week a bit of the doldrums has set in but #TreatRight is coming and I have much to do to prepare. I just want to share some thoughts on how I'm working to rejoin the happier side of life. You guessed it; my dogs are being put to work to jettison this funk.

Upon rising today, Tanner, Oliver and I set off on a longer-than-usual walk. Exercise is

always a good way to release endorphins--a "feel good" brain chemical--into the blood stream. I found myself willing an endorphin release, while at the same time wondering if this is something Oliver will be able to smell. His super duper nose has proven itself over the last 2 years, gaining traction as a safety device and early intervention for all manner of health issues that I already fight daily.  We stopped to admire a fountain and enjoyed a nice snack of Jerky Chip Treats, a delight that is on the prize list for #TreatRight winners.

When we returned home we did a short Yoga session to cool down and then had breakfast. Now, while the dogs are napping, I'm trying to get ready for #TreatRight, our Twitter Party to be held on Sunday, October 26. You can learn more about these 4 lines of treats at my product review. Having something to look forward to is definitely improving my mood already. Another score!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Good Game, Tanner

Returning to this post, I've now had a chance to do some bonding activities with each of the dogs. Oliver accompanied me on my errands, behaving as he always does, as Mom's defender and companion. I got some stitches out of my lip that have been annoying me, as Oliver watched the doctor carefully. 

Tanner and I enjoyed our daily Fetch game. After a recent lapse of focus on his part, he has now returned to his usual Fetching form, able to Fetch several toys and return them to a pile for tossing once again. It's the latest version of our mind game that makes Tanner think about what he's doing while he's swimming and having fun. Great time to #TreatRight!

Turning Fetch into a more advanced mental task has been good for him, while also giving me the motivation to consider new ways to work his brain on additional swimming games. There's nothing this boy loves more than retrieving a toy from the pool. Ahhh....I feel better already. It's such a joy to watch your dog perform a task that took months to learn, knowing that you helped him gain this new skill by patiently teaching and encouraging his behaviors. A little training treat like the Merrick Power Bites here and there can do wonders. 

Be sure to stop by #TreatRight for your chance to win several bags of these Grain Free, Gluten Free, All Natural dog treats. We'll open about 7:30 PM ET for checkins on Sunday, October 26. Prize packages valued at $70 will be handed out throughout the one hour party, and pre-party prizes are already underway. Stop by this link to enter for your chance to get a package of great Merrick products for your dog.

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner's Favorites: Treats, Toys, Pool

Tomorrow as I Tweet the evening away, Tanner and Oliver will be napping at my feet. I'll make sure we grab a pre-party walk to energize my brain while tiring the boys out for the day. Maybe a few #doga poses will help me also. Hope to see you again next week for the #WeeklyWag and tomorrow evening at #TreatRight. Here's a quick preview of what we're planning during the party:

• Be ready with a favorite photo of your dog to share during the #TreatRight party
  
• Join us to learn ways to #TreatRight, choosing the right treat for the right occasion.
• Watch for 10 prize packages to be announced throughout the evening, as well as coupons for everyone!
• Merrick wants you to know that they support treating responsibly. #NoOverweightDogs
• You can stay up to date on Merrick's treats and food by subscribing to their newsletter here. 
• Be sure to check out all the tasty Merrick treats and even grab a coupon.

Happy bonding,

We are working with Merrick Pet Care through our partnership in Event Barkers to produce this Twitter party and share product news with our readers. Prizes will be provided and shipped by Merrick Pet Care. 

Dogs Love the Child's Pose

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

We have worked our way through the modifying tips in our doga workout till we're finally back at Child's Pose. This is one of the most relaxing poses for me, offering an opportunity to join the dogs on the floor--which they love--and completely put my mind at rest as I work through the breathing. You'll find the original video yoga instruction (It's short!) here. 
I've had more emails and DMs about Child's Pose than most of the others, so I'm going to offer a number of ways to make it a little less challenging. Pick those that work for you and go from there. Take your time, remembering to use each exhale to sink further into your stretch. You'll likely be as amazed as I was. Let's get started by working through the numeric modifications I've placed in the collage above:

1. If you're okay being on your knees but finding that sitting on your feet doesn't work comfortably, try these tips. Roll your feet out and turn your toes of each foot in toward one another. This creates a cupping effect for your backside. Add a blanket or thin pillow to pad the area. One or both of these tips should make it possible for many of you to sit on your feet. If not, no worries. I'll address some other options below.
2. Stretching first toward the sky, lift your head, arms and chest, while allowing your shoulders to remain down and directly over your hips. After a few breaths, pivot forward keeping your back straight and going only as far as you're comfortable. Engage your core muscles to hold your position, breathing in and out a few times before returning to the beginning, if lowering is not an option for you. Listen to your body and heed it's warnings.
3. Here's where your big dog may come in handy as a block. Calling him to you, ask him to sit in front of you and use him as a block to aid in your somewhat lower position. This takes some of the work from your abs, while allowing you to bond with Fido. He'll know he's being your helper and will likely beam with pride. Tanner often breaks into a smile after I get settled using him as a block. I just love watching that smile of his.
4. If you decide you're going to take it a little lower, you'll need space. At this point, ask your dog to slide back. Tanner has a Back Up command; does your dog know Back Up? It's very handy and easy to teach with a pocketful of treats and a daily session, but let's get back to the Child's Pose. Placing your hands on the floor, slowly slide them forward--keeping your back straight--till you're as low as your muscles will allow today. Some days you'll find you are able to take it much lower, while others will find your muscles are very tight. Keep pumping that water to hydrate your thirsty muscles.
5. When you're low enough to snuggle, by all means grab your dog and enjoy this bonding time. This is just a short distance from placing your head on the floor, which is the ultimate Child's Pose. No need to worry about that goal today. Just find time to bond with your dog while you're at the same level as he is. Our dogs love this!
6. Moving up to the large image in my collage, you'll find that Oliver has taken an opportunity to try out the saddle position. Who knew!  He's not really taking to it like crazy, but he does give it a shot every now and then. I'm not pushing it, but if I place a treat on my back while I languish in the Child's Pose, he'll often get curious and hop up to snag the yummy. Today's snack was a Good Buddy treat by Castor and Pollux, in a new Fall flavor: Pumpkin and Apple. Doesn't that just shout Halloween?!

courtesy Amazon.com

Now let's touch on another tip to help as you approach the bottom of the Child's Pose. Using a block or your large dog's back as a block, you can rest your forhead on a comfy spot to keep from having to hold yourself as you hover above the ground. Of course hovering is great for your core muscles, but there's just so much of that you can do. There's a lot you can do to adjust your poses with a set of yoga blocks, and they're cheap as exercise aids go. You'll find a very reasonable brand at this link on Amazon. Be sure to grab 2 so you can keep one on each side. Sometimes moving to grab your block is hard as you continue to progress, and you'll wish you had that second block. Pick your color from this surprising selection. And check out some ways you can use them to modify your position:

Now let's get back to your feet. Some of my readers have told me that their knees are not flexible enough to make sitting on their feet an option. Here are some other ways to work this pose if you're having knee issues. Don't fight the pain. Yoga should never hurt!

• Sit on a chair to work the Child's Pose, using the back of another chair to gradually fold forward. The ultimate goal would be to place your stomach and chest in your own lap, but if you never get there, that's okay too.
• If you're facing the seat of a chair, place a block or a dog (only if he's happy there) on the seat to use as a resting spot for your forehead. Engage your abs and don't forget to start at the top with a good vertical stretch.
• Follow the rest of the strategies above once you're comfortably seated in a chair and are facing another chair to use in place of the floor. Your knees should be happy now, yes?

Are you interested in trying these Good Buddy treats? They come in 3 mouth-watering flavors: Cheddar Cheese, Peanut Butter, and Pumpkin and Apple. Let's try a giveaway and see what you guys can tell us about your doga practice or other ways that you exercise and bond with your dogs. 

These favorites of Tanner and Oliver's definitely have a #DogaTreats quality. We like to make sure the boys #TreatRight, and at under 22 calories for a full-sized cookie, these are low-calorie and delicious. That's important so that I can offer a bonding snack to reward the boys for joining me, while assuring that I'm not over-feeding them in high calorie treats when they're not burning lots of energy. We'll save the higher-calorie snacks for hiking and other high intensity activities.

Now it's your turn to Tweet about your workouts with Fido and his #DogaTreats. Even if you don't participate in yoga, I'm sure many of you have an exercise regimen that includes your dog. Walking definitely qualifies! Tell us about it and include both the hashtags #DogaTreats and #TreatRight. You can Tweet or Instagram a photo using the hashtag. This giveaway has been extended through midnight Thursday, November 6. We can't wait to see your pictures and your Tweets. 

Not into Twitter or Instagram pics? It's okay. You can just RT mine if you've got a Twitter account: 

Hope u r tuning in 2nite 4 #TreatRight 2 learn healthy treating tips. Tanner+Oliver r ready: http://t.co/ONOoS77ys9 #DogaTreats
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) October 26, 2014

This giveaway will remain open through Thursday, November 6. I'll report the winners' names here Friday, November 7. Ready, set, go!

PS. One stat I tend to watch is my top 5 blog post topics. Today I checked this after not paying attention for a good while. Turns out one of my top 5 is 8 Things I Have Learned from Practicing Doga. Enjoy!

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 relaxing pose.

All Things Dog Blog currently shares an advertisement for Castor and Pollux Pet. We choose to work with this company because we have found their products to be of superior quality. 

Fly With Fido: Doga Airplane Pose

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

I think we've arrived at my favorite pose. This one challenges me to work on my balance, and also surprised me to find that Tanner enjoys participating in this one the most. He loves being a yoga balance aid. Sounds crazy; I know. That's Doga!

Notice that I've started the pose in the lower left of the collage, numbering the stages so you can ease yourself down to a level where you're challenged but not unsafe, frightened, or uncomfortable. Having a sturdy chair, wall or dresser to rely on makes for a much safer way to practice this pose if your balance is not something you're 100% sure of. Be patient with yourself and take this slow.

You can visit our original instructional #doga yoga video (it's short!) done by professional yogi, Jess Wilson, if you'd like to start from square one. You'll also find the entire library of All Things Dog Blog's doga instruction at this link.

If your dogs join you near the mat, be sure to talk to them, verbally praising them. When arms or legs start flying around, you may find that your dog backs away. That's okay. My dogs are pretty much used to this now, having watched for some months. Tanner sometimes cheers me on when he's feeling particularly inspired. I love this! It makes me want to stay on the mat longer to try to elicit the same response again. And when I use him as a support, he beams with pride as if to say "I love helping mom with her workout". He probably doesn't know this, but he's one of the reasons I'm continuing this doga series--he inspires me!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner's Proudest Moment!

After you are comfortable using your dog or the chair rails for support and balance, try working down to the seat bottom. Remember to keep your back straight. This is as far down as you'll go in the airplane pose; some yogis would say it's too far. Let your body tell you what's right for you.

Now comes the fun part. You can go in one of two directions to increase the challenge, or try both when you're ready: remove one or both hands, or lift a leg to act as the tail of the airplane. Move ahead only when you're ready and don't feel compelled to try these at all if you're in any way concerned. You can always stick to the chair back, or try lifting your hands slightly and allowing your abs to balance your body just above the chair back. 

This pose has seemingly limitless modifications to employ that will work for most anyone. Experiment with all the options that appeal to you, as you feel comfortable. And do join Tanner and I in cheering when you're happy with your progress. Yoga is so good for both you and your dog! Enjoy the bond :)

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 relaxing pose.

Doga Variations: Side Angle Yoga Pose

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Are you tagging along on this Doga journey with us? Earlier we posted a series of short instructional doga videos, created especially for All Things Dog Blog Readers. Now we're circling back to share some variations on ways to make the poses a bit more easy. Sometimes we even share a tougher version, but it's all in fun. We want to inspire you to try including your dog in a home workout that will help you both bond more closely.

Today's pose is the Side Angle pose. You'll find the original video yoga instruction here. The classic version is a bit intimidating for some, but the images above show several ways that you can modify your angle to make it easier on your body. Take your time, working a single variations for as many practice sessions as you need, before moving down to a lower modifcation. Yoga should feel good, not hurt!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Add Challenge in Small Increments

If you're already on top of the classic pose, try adding some weight or not using the floor to support yours. I've worked up to using my little 10-pound Oliver as shown at left. Believe me, that small dog feels quite a bit heavier when I hold him like this. It's a great workout for my oblique and ab muscles, especially after I hold him for a few extra breaths.

Since this photo session, I've been able to work my stance lower, continuing to improve my balance and stability, while still holding Oliver. #GottaLuvBonding

Just to be clear, there are still days when I do not feel up to this level of a workout. I often drop back to easier versions when I'm overstressed or tired. Floor poses and inverted ones seem to energize me. 

Join me next week when I'll be sharing some ways to work on your balance with the

Airplane pose. If you don't have a larger dog like Tanner, you can use a chair, wall or dresser to aid your balance. Never fear, I'll also be offering some versions that don't have you lifitng your leg like Fido. ;)

Before I close, here's a list of our variations posts that you may find helpful in modifying your own home practice:

• Doga Easy Seated Pose with Pups--modifications
• Doga Modifications for Wide-Legged Seated Forward Fold
• Doggedly Seeking Yoga Pushups
• Improving Your Cobra Pose with Fido's Help
• Doga Bonding with No Hands
• Fido Helps with Forward Fold
• Doga Fun with Warrior I and II

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 relaxing pose.