Downward Facing Dog. Perhaps the most iconic of all yoga poses. And yet I find a lot of teachers use it mostly as a transition from one to the next, not many lingering there unless it is in a sun salutation. Just my experience? I personally love to let my tight calves slowly release as my heels drip down to the floor in a sustained hold.
But why do you see different teachers use different cues for the same poses? Mainly because there are several different styles or lineages of teachings that fall under the “yoga” umbrella. Ashtanga will teach you to gaze in one spot, and hatha another. Try them both and use what feels better.
Here are some modifications to make this pose accessible to practitioners at various levels.
Heels far away from the floor? Try adding a blanket roll under your feet or take a generous bend in your knees. Use a chair or the wall as a prop if supporting that much weight on your hands is too much. These will help you to keep your low back long and give you great benefits.
Feeling like you want extra hip opening? Try three legged down dog or even give it a twist.
Need some extra shoulder work? Try down dog to dolphin push-ups.
Remember, these are a few options and not an exhaustive list, Down Dog is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted in many ways, explore and find what works best for your unique practice. Downward Dog is a full-body experience, and cues may vary based on individual anatomy. Enjoy the journey of discovering what works for you! 🧘♀️🌟
Adho Mukha Svanasana- adho means “down”, mukha means “face”, svana means “dog” and asana means “pose”
Check out the post below for more visual tips and a video.
MoveMint Yoga 