What If the Problem Isn't a Problem?

In this episode, Mary Debono invites you to reconsider how you approach challenges, whether they show up in your own body, your horse, or your dog. When we label something a problem, we tend to reach for the same strategies that created it in the first place. That usually leads to temporary relief, or to new compensations that surface elsewhere.

Mary offers a different lens: what if we approached these issues with curiosity instead? What if we recognized that the nervous system is highly intelligent, and that behaviors and movement patterns are the individual's best attempt to feel safer and more comfortable?

Through examples including early-morning anxiety and post-surgical compensation in dogs, Mary shows how engaging with the whole individual, rather than chasing isolated symptoms, leads to fuller, more lasting change. She also explores how a handler's own comfort and self-awareness directly affect their horse or dog's ability to feel at ease.

Whether you're working with a dog recovering from CCL surgery, a horse with movement restrictions, or your own stress and anxiety, this episode will shift the way you think about change and what becomes possible when you do.

Resources:

Grab your FREE video training to help your dog. 🐕 https://www.marydebono.com/lovedog 💥

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

Get Mary’s bestselling, award-winning book, “Grow Young with Your Dog,” for a super low price at: https://tinyurl.com/growyoungwithyourdog. Demonstration videos are included at no extra cost. ⬅️⬅️⬅️

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice or professional training advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you, your horse, or your dog are unwell or injured. Always use extreme caution when interacting with horses and dogs.

About the Host:

Mary Debono is a pioneer in animal and human wellness, blending her expertise as an international clinician, best-selling author, and certified Feldenkrais Method® practitioner. With over three decades of experience, Mary developed Debono Moves, a groundbreaking approach that enhances the performance, well-being, and partnership of animals and their humans.

Mary's innovative approach draws from the Feldenkrais Method®, tailored specifically for horse and dog enthusiasts. Her methods have helped animals and humans:

• Improve athletic ability and performance
• Enhance confidence and reduce anxiety
• Reduce physical limitations and discomfort
• Deepen the human-animal bond

Mary's flagship online programs, "Move with Your Horse" and "Easier Movement, Happier Dogs," provide animal enthusiasts with an innovative approach that combines the concepts of Feldenkrais® with her signature hands-on work for horses and dogs (Debono Moves). Through this transformative approach, both people and their animal companions discover greater harmony, ease, and connection.