If you’re one of them, why not consider a sound healing session or a relaxing time with essential oils – alongside your four-legged companion?
A recent sound healing and essential oil workshop for dogs during the Happy Pets Carnival at The Square by Jaya One shed insights into the benefits these activities can bring for both humans and their furkids.
“Sound healing is an ancient practice. We believe vibrations can penetrate to our cellular level and promote deep healing,” said workshop facilitator Lynn Heng.
The 31-year-old is the founder of Mystic Blessings By Lynn, a business that provides tarot reading and sound healing services, among others.
Highlighting its benefits for animals, Heng shared: “They are very sensitive to energy, and we never know what they pick up. If a pet is constantly in an environment filled with anger, sadness or depression, they will absorb these energies or emotions.
“Sound healing can help them to cleanse or detox and feel more at ease.”
During a session, Heng typically plays several instruments, including a rainstick – a long hollow tube partially filled with small pebbles, rice, or other hard granular matter – as well as crystal and Tibetan singing bowls.
While she does this, humans and their furkids are invited to make themselves comfortable. During the workshop, both four- and two-legged participants lay on yoga mats in a darkened room as soothing melodic sounds filled the air for approximately 30 minutes.
Heng combines a sound healing session with tuning fork therapy, where these two-pronged instruments are used to create sound vibrations for healing.
How does it work? Heng places a tuning fork over a chakra point – energy centres in the body – before gently hitting it with a mallet.
“I use tuning forks of varying sizes and frequencies for the different chakra points. When I hit the fork, it helps to neutralise the energy and bring balance,” she explained.
But what might lead to an imbalanced chakra point to begin with? “Stress is a main factor. Other causes are insomnia, depression and anxiety.
“We are creatures of emotions. When a person’s emotions are managed well and they feel safe and calm, it will affect how they see things around them,” she said.
And yes, this applies to animals, too, which is why Heng demonstrated tuning fork therapy on pooches during the workshop, who appeared appropriately at peace.
On to scents! Angel Juliane William owns AnerGD Holistic Wellness, a business that sells formulated essential oil and provides naturopathy consultation.
The 35-year-old, who conducted the essential oil session, shared that while these oils can be beneficial to dogs, furparents should firstly take safety precautions.
For example, before using oil in a diffuser, it is important to make sure your pet isn’t allergic to it by seeking advice from your vet.
She emphasised that only certain essential oils are safe for dogs; these include lavender, chamomile, cedarwood and frankincense.
As these oils are potent, Angel added, they must be diluted with a carrier oil such as castor or jojoba before they are used. The amount of carrier oil required depends on a dog’s size, with smaller-sized animals requiring stronger dilution.
Angel also shared that essential oils can help dogs with bloating issues feel better. “Bloating is common among dogs, so instead of spending too much on vet bills, essential oil is something pet owners can use,” she said.
To ease their gas, lightly massage the essential oil onto their bellies. Be warned, however: your pet’s blissful expression as you massage them may warm your heart just as it warms their bellies!
And there you have it: two activities you can do with your dog for a paw-sitively fun time together. Now “me time” can be “our time”!
Learn more about Mystic Blessings By Lynn via its website, Instagram and Facebook, or contact 011-1913 3914.
Also find out more about AnerGD Holistic Wellness on Instagram or contact 012-706 2916.