Adho – Forward; Mukha – Face; Svana - Dog
The asana is pronounced as A-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAS-anna
Adho mukha svanasana posture replicates a dog bending forward, hence the name downward facing dog pose. This asana can be practiced by any beginner too and with all its benefits, one should include it as a part of daily yoga practice.
How to do the Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward facing dog pose)
- Come onto your fours. Form a table such that your back forms the table top and your hands and feet form the legs of the table.
- As you breath out lift the hips up, straightening the knees and elbows, form an inverted V-shape with the body.
- Hands are shoulder width apart, feet are hip width apart and parallel to each other. Toes point straight ahead.
- Press your hands into the ground. Widen through the shoulder blades. Keep the neck lengthened by touching the ears to the inner arms.
- Hold the downward dog pose and take long deep breaths. Look towards the navel.
- Exhale. Bend the knees, return to table pose. Relax.
Benefits of Adho Mukha Svanasana:
- This pose leaves you energized and rejuvenates the body
- It lengthens the spine, strengthens the muscles of the chest increasing lung capacity.
- It brings strength throughout the body especially the arms, shoulders, legs, feet.
- Helps to tone muscles
- It increases circulation to the brain
- Calms the mind and helps relive headache, insomnia and fatigue.
Contraindications:
Avoid doing this asana if you suffer from high blood pressure, Carpel tunnel syndrome, detached eye retina, weak eye capillaries, dislocated shoulder / shoulder injury or diarrhea.
See other Yoga Poses
