Barking Buddha Doga Tip of the Week: Super Dog Stretch

This is Sucia in Super Dog Stretch. I love this picture because Sucia looks like a puppet or some 1/2 human beast.

To do this pose make sure you engage your core before lifting. You can do this pose from a squat, lunge or kneeling position. This pose is a nice stretch for your dogi's front legs. It is very important to do this stretch from the armpit (or legpit?) rather than midway on the leg, which can be uncomfortable and not safe for your dog. Also be mindful of your dogi's age, physical condition and spine length when doing this stretch. You can also lean slightly or turn slightly to the right and left, giving you dogi a gentle spinal twist.

Twists are good for toning the organs and promoting spinal flexibility and health. There are large dog variations of this pose but you'll have to come back tomorrow for those.

Hey that's not Super Dog Stretch! True. The above picture is Bugsy at class on Saturday. He's so fun and one of those loud breathers (in doga, corpse pose can get loud, or Roll Over and Relax Pose as it's called in Barking Buddha Doga)...also high energy, but really calm during class, which continues to impress and amaze. I have these high energy breeds come to class and during the playtime at the beginning they're crazy, then on the doga mat... calm. Love it!