Downward-Facing Dog
July 29, 2010 by Courtney Chalfant
Filed under Christian Yoga Weekly Pose
Step By Step
- Come onto the floor on your hands and knees.
- Set up proper alignment; knees under hips, hands under shoulders and slightly wider than shoulders width, wrist creases parallel, fingers spread and claw into mat.
- Inhale and round shoulder blades against back then , tuck toes and allow hips to rise.
- Tailbone goes high.
- Pressing the earth away from you with your hands. Claw at the mat with your fingertips so the pressure is not all in the wrist.
- Heals stretch toward or onto the floor.
- Head stays between the arms not dangling free.
- The heart is reaching for the thighs.
Benefits
- Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression.
- Energizes the body.
- Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches and hands.
- Strengthens the arms and legs.
- Helps relieve symptoms of menopause.
- Helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Improves digestion.
- Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain and fatigue.
- Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis.
This is an excerpt from our guide to self-care, Christian Yoga: Restoration for Body and Soul.
