Yoga postures have interesting names: downward dog

June 5, 3:16 PMMiami New Age Spirituality ExaminerMargaret Ann Lembo

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Photo by Joe

Although I have practiced yoga since the early 1980s, there is always some muscle that has to remember or strengthen. Depending on what I’ve been doing lately, my body needs attention in different areas. One would think that once you know yoga, your body will cooperate. It has become clear why yoga is considered a practice. Each time I do yoga, my body practices alright. And each time muscles cooperate differently as if I had never experienced that position.

One posture that challenges my wrists and hands after many days of writing and working on the computer is downward dog. While this is often a restful posture for me, when my wrists and forearms are stressed from writing, this posture tests me. Using the breath is key in any yoga practice so I breathe through it and all is well.

As promised, Mary Rosi, my current yoga instructor has prepared a description of this asana.

Downward-Facing Dog

Sanskrit: Adho Mukha Svanasana
Pronunciation: (AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna)

• Stretches & Strengthens the arms, legs and torso.
• Energizes the body.
• Relieves low-back pain.
• Improves digestion.
• Stimulates the mind.
• Improves focus.

This pose is named as it resembles the shape of a dog stretching itself. Entering into this posture, begin on all fours with knees hip width apart and hands shoulder width apart, fingers spread wide. On exhale, raise your hips upward pushing into the floor with your hands and pressing your heels down toward the floor as you straighten your legs. Hollowing your upper back brings the abdomen toward the thighs and softens the middle-back.

As Mary indicates, the posture is named because of the resemblance of a dog stretching. There are other postures with fun names. Keep checking back for more articles on yoga over the coming months.

For more information: Attend a yoga class, visit www.thecrystalgarden.com, contact Mary Rosi at Yoga Earth www.yogaearth.org or email her at yogaearth@gmail.com, my other yoga articles: Yoga postures are innate and Yoga – a practice for health, focus and spiritual connection