Building Blocks: Upward Facing Dog

  • February 24th, 2020
By Power Life

When it comes to yoga a strong foundation is necessary to elevate your practice. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned yogi, breaking down the building blocks of a frequently used posture can be beneficial.  Especially with a posture like upward facing dog, that is used repetitively in many formats. Our bodies have muscle memories – take a look at our break down of upward facing dog to ensure that your muscles are remembering correctly!

 

How to do it:

  • Roll over onto the tops (shoelace side) of your feet.
  • Press your hands and feet firmly into the mat.
  • Lift your knees off the mat by engaging your quadriceps.
  • Broaden your chest and elongate your spine by pressing the crown of your head up toward the ceiling.
  • Engage your core.

Be mindful of:

  • Crunching into your lower back due to lack of engagement in your core and quads.
  • Knees and thighs resting on the mat – lift them off!
  • Hyperextension of your elbows.
  • Shoulders creeping up toward your earlobes. Release your shoulder blades down your back toward your tailbone.

Modifications:

  • Take low cobra if Upward Facing Dog causes discomfort in your lower body, chest or shoulders.

Why we love this pose:

  • Strengthens your legs, back and arms.
  • Stretches your chest and abdomen.
  • Energizes the mind, relieves anxiety and reduces stress.

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Building Blocks: Upward Facing Dog Info