Yoga Foundations: Downward Dog
One of yoga’s most rejuvenating poses is downward dog. This pose stretches your body from head to toe, creating length in the neck and stretching the hamstrings and ankles. It also increases blood flow to the upper body and head.
How to Do Downward Dog pose
- Kneel on your hands and knees with your hands beneath your shoulders and your knees directly beneath your hips. Your hands should be spread wide apart. Your feet should be flat and hip width apart.
- Inhale as you lift your body up, keeping your shoulders back and pushing backwards into your hips. Push your buttocks upwards. Keep your heels down as much as possible. Keep your knees bent as needed, ultimately straightening the legs and bringing the chest to the thighs. Lift one foot then another back and forward (peddling to get the effect of the feet being flat, which is the goal). You are forming a V with your body.
- Exhale relaxing slowly lowering the body, relaxing the arms and legs.