Posture and Your Dog's Behavior (Healthy Living DIY)

Did you ever wonder why your dog won't mind? Maybe it's your posture.

Last night, while over at a friend's house, we watched a couple of episodes of "The Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel (which I unfortunately don't get at my place).

Cesar Millan, the dog behavior expert, was incredible! It was absolutely fascinating to watch him as he took on the state and posture of the dog behavior he was exploring. He became the dog.

When I say he became the dog, what I mean is that he adopted both the dog's state and its posture. The two are so closely linked as to be nearly inseparable. This is why it's so difficult (ok impossible) to change a person's posture without their participation. Read more about this on the Word Cures site under Holistic Health and Language (be sure to check out the articles on "Language of Your State" and "Language of Your Posture").

One case study they showed last night was so cool! There was a home where two women lived together along with their two dachshunds. One of the dachshunds had taken over the house.

Immediately, Cesar began coaching the women on their own posture. They were, by habit, displaying what is known in the dog world as a submissive posture. No wonder the dog thought she was in charge!

Interestingly, the women displayed the exact posture I attempt to help people correct (mostly in women, though some men carry it, too) every single day.

Why? Because a human being who exhibits this posture has neck pain, headaches, low back pain, and shoulder problems. Their joints wear out too fast. They're often diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Why? Because in a human, it's a disempowered, unhealthy posture. A posture which, I have learned through experience, cannot be changed through massage therapy techniques without the person's conscious participation. (Which is why I've been working so diligently to create health enhancing information products to support people in making that change, but I digress.)

People don't like to hear that, by the way. They just want to get fixed (unlike your dog ;-). So maybe The Dog Whisperer DVD's should become required viewing for my bodywork practice?

Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!

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