Understanding Animal Fascia: How to Help Your Pets

ANIMAL FASCIA

Animals have fascia too. Animal fascia operates in the same way ours does- it holds tension patterns and emotion, and relays information between the different body systems.

When animals go through a life threatening experience, their natural instinct is to “shake it off”, effectively clearing it from their nervous systems & fascial memory. Even with this built-in instinct for recovery, animals still accumulate restrictions in their fascia from stress. That’s why our pets are susceptible to the same pains and fascial blockages that we are!

The difference is animals don’t have opposable thumbs (or the ability to perform fascial maneuvers like we can.)

Animals need help resolving their pain too! Our pets absorb the energy of their environment and the people around them. Pets give us so much love and hold space for us on our worst days. We can return the favor by learning to work with animal fascia to relieve their stress and help them move freely!

HOW TO WORK WITH ANIMAL FASCIA

Because animals are more sensitive than people, they require a much lighter touch. A creature will respond with aggression if you go in too forcefully. It’s important to respect boundaries- if your pet is non-cooperative, then leave them alone!

If your pet is receptive, then a good starting place is to imagine you are simply “twisting the fur” when using counter-rotation. The lightest of touches is still effective!

You can apply the same fascial principles you use in your personal practice to working with animals. Picture your pet as another human being who you are doing partner maneuvers with. Remember that it’s a cooperative effort and you are the facilitator!

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S HELPING?

There a few ways you’ll be able to tell if your pet is releasing fascial tension. The most important is that they remain receptive throughout the entire experience.

Other signs are similar to what you might observe in a person who is doing the fascial maneuvers: yawning, twitching, passing gas, sighing, etc.

Once you are done, encourage your pet to get up and walk around. They must integrate the changes just like us!

 

  

Photos from HG’s trip to a horse therapy center in Cancun.