One of my all-time favorite poses is "Downward Facing Dog" also known as "Down Dog", or in Sanskrit Adho Mukha Svanasana, pronounced Aad-Ho-Mook-ha Sssvaa-na-sana.
What is Downward Facing Dog?
In down dog, your body forms an upside down V, with your hands and feet on the ground and your sitting bones pointing up to the sky. The arms and legs are straight, with the hands opened shoulder-width apart, fingers spread wide like stars, and the feet opened hip-width apart. I love this pose because it stretches out your entire body! It also strengthens the arms and the legs.
Downward dog has many benefits, such as
- Stretches out your entire body
- Strengthens your arms and legs
- Calms your mind
- Helps relieve stress and even mild depression
- Helps relieve back pain
- Teaches you about body awareness
- Energizes your body from head to toe
- and.... it just FEELS GREAT!!
I cannot imagine doing a Yoga practice without downdog! Downdog for my favorite pose, because it really helps me get "in-tune with my body". It's amazing to feel the difference between your first downdog of your practice, compared to the last downdog of your practice. You really can feel how your body responds to your practice, and how everything just opens up and your whole body just becomes so much more alive!
Tell me... what is your favorite pose?
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