Downward dog is a call to remain attentive to our inner wisdom, and at the same time, the stretch invigorates and enlivens, renewing our sense of wholeness.
Level: Beginner
Health benefits: Strengthens arms, wrists, legs and back, stretches shoulders, legs, and side bodies. Lymph circulation by the reversal of gravity is recharged
How to: From all fours, place your hands shoulder width apart and parallel. Place your index fingers parallel to one another and spread your fingers evenly. Keeping your hands steady, move your knees back four inches and tuck your toes under. Keeping your toes tucked under, and your hands steady, lift your knees and hips up and back. Push the hands down and forward, and extend your legs to straight. Keep your head relaxed, not pushing it toward the floor, nor lifting it away from the floor, and set your eyes on one place. Hold the pose and breathe. To come out, bend your knees and place them back to the floor, returning to all fours.
Note: If your legs are tight or your lower back rounds, bend your knees halfway to the floor. Without collapsing your armpits or the front of your body, keep your knees as wide as your ankles and widen your seat, working your legs toward being straight one breath, or one week, at a time.
Watch the how-to video for Downward Dog
Christine Price Clark is the program director for the Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Program at Vancouver School of Yoga, an online instructor for My Yoga Online and an ambassador for Tonic Lifestyle Apparel.
9 Energizing Yoga Poses
Christine Price Clark is the program director for the Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Program at Vancouver School of Yoga, an online instructor for My Yoga Online and an ambassador for Tonic Lifestyle Apparel.
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