Strike a [Yoga] Pose: Downward-Facing Dog

In honor of my awesome adaptive/gentle/restorative yoga class that I’ll be taking today, I thought I’d shine a spotlight on everyone’s favorite pose, downward-facing dog (Sanskrit: Adho Mukha Svanasana). No matter what type of yoga class you take (or if you practice at home), you will run into this resting posture. Yes, it really is a resting posture, even though at first it seems like the hardest pose ever! Thankfully it does get easier as strength improves.

I really like this pose because you can modify it in several different ways, like deeply bending your knees or placing your knees on the mat for puppy pose, for example. You can also further work on your strength by placing both forearms on the ground for dolphin pose, or raise a leg for one-legged downward-facing dog (Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana).

Strike a Yoga Pose: Downward-Facing Dog | FrenchFryRunner.com
Getting better at the One-Legged Variation

 

According to Yoga Journal, this asana has quite a few benefits, from being energizing to improving digestion. I have a Kino MacGregor video that shows how to do this foundational pose.

Other Resources about Bridge/Wheel Pose

Which variation of Downward-Facing Dog do you like best? #Yoga via @frenchfryrunner Click To Tweet

Other “Strike a [Yoga] Pose” Posts

Does downward-facing dog make you feel energized?

Do you prefer to modify this pose? How?

 

This post is linked up for Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie at The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie from  Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, Upala at Pretty in Pink Fitness, and Amber at Bold Fit Mom

Strike a {Yoga} Pose: Bridge Pose

You might be reading this as I’m panicking through the sign-up process for the Dumbo Double Dare. Wish me luck!

We’ve been doing a lot of bridge pose in my yoga classes lately. Personally, I love bridge pose (Sanskrit: Setu Bandha Sarvangasana). It makes me feel somewhat flexible. 🙂 You can also do a full back bend (Wheel Pose or Urdhva Dhanurasana) as a variation of bridge–after warming up, of course, and if it’s in your practice. Remember, do not force yourself into any poses. Specifically, if it hurts, come out of the pose.

Strike a [Yoga] Pose: Bridge Pose

According to Yoga Journal, this asana has quite a few benefits, from alleviating menstrual cramps to improving digestion. Here’s a great video that shows you how to do the bridge pose. Enjoy!

Bridge Pose | Yoga With Adriene from Yoga With Adriene on YouTube.

Other Resources about Bridge/Wheel Pose

Other “Strike a [Yoga] Pose” Posts

p.s. I love Adriene’s “Foundations of Yoga” series on her blog. Check it out!

 

Is Bridge Pose in your practice? How about Wheel Pose?

What’s Your Favorite yoga pose?

 

Fit Dish Link-Up

This post is linked up with others for The Fit Dish Link-Up. Thanks to Jill Conyers at JillConyers.com, & Jessica Joy at TheFitSwitch.org for hosting. Be sure to visit their blogs and others in the link-up.

Strike a {Yoga} Pose: Tree Pose

It seems we have been focusing balance sequences in my yoga classes. One of my favorite balance poses is tree pose (or Vrksasana). I had a bit of a breakthrough in my last yoga class. We were facing away from the mirrors in the room the during whole class so we could focus inward and just be in our practice instead of being critical of ourselves–which I loved. I was able to go further in this pose than I ever have. Great moment for me. My favorite is to get into the pose with my hands at heart center and then raise my arms and spread out my arms and fingers. This brings joy to my practice.

the beauty of yoga

The beauty of any pose in yoga is that you can be where you are. You can keep your toes on the floor, place your foot on the opposite calf or thigh or even cross your foot over the top. (I hope I’m making sense.) Check out the video below to learn this joyful pose:

Video by Yoga with Adriene. Find her on YouTube.