A guide to Adho Mukha Svanasana—- Downward Facing Dog
Ask anyone to name a few yoga postures and most likely they will say Downward Facing Dog. Down Dog is an inversion pose with lots of yummy benefits!
*Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves and hands.
*Strengthens the arms and legs.
*It's a good check in with your body.
*Boosts circulation
*wakes you up…energizes the entire body
*helps calm the nervous system
Being trained in healthy alignment my eyes are always scanning my students for ways I can enhance their asanas and lengthen the life of their yoga practice. So, here is a handy visual to get yourself into a refreshing and safe down dog.

Some common mistakes that people make when doing down dog (as pictured above) are:
-fingers clenched together
-belly sagging
-rounded back
-neck compressed
-face tense & head up
-weight in the outside of the hands
-collapsing weight in shoulders
-heels lifted high

When done properly, downward facing dog will look more like this picture and will contain these elements...
-fingers spread wide
-core engaged
-spine elongated
-heels melting comfortably down
-press floor away to extend spine and take pressure out of wrists
-gaze softly back at navel
-neck lengthened
Show us your down dog and tag us on instagram!