downward-facing dog
Mat-based stretch
Downward-facing dog is a yoga pose in which the body forms an inverted V—hands and feet on the floor, hips raised, head between the arms.
It's one of the most recognizable poses in Western yoga practice, often used as a resting position between more demanding sequences: We held downward-facing dog for five breaths.
Also called downward dog or simply down dog.
Yoga body position
- inversionReversal of position
- vinyasaBreath-synchronized yoga movements
- chaturangaIndian precursor to chess
- plankFlat timber piece
savasana · warrior · triangle · cobra · child's pose · mountain pose · sequence · transition
Rear thigh muscles
- calvesRear shin muscles
- shouldersUpper arm joints
- spineColumn of vertebrae
- coreCentral essential portion
arms · wrists · heels · hips · back · legs · hands · fingers
Ability to adapt easily
- strengthPower to exert force
- stretchPull to extend
- elongationIncrease in length
- decompressionReduction of pressure
circulation · energizing · invigorating · tension release · stress relief · calm · focus · digestion
Mind-body exercise discipline
- matFlat floor covering
- breathAir taken in
- pranayamaYogic breath control technique
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
flow · yogi · yogini · instructor · class · studio · home practice · warm-up
- flat backHorizontal resting posture
- neutral spineSpine's natural curved position
- tailboneFused vertebrae at spine's base
- sit bonesPelvic protrusions for sitting
asana
Yoga body position
- inversionReversal of position
- vinyasaBreath-synchronized yoga movements
- chaturangaIndian precursor to chess
plank · savasana · warrior · triangle · cobra · child's pose · mountain pose · sequence · transition · hold
hamstrings
Rear thigh muscles
core · arms · wrists · heels · hips · back · legs · hands · fingers · neck
flexibility
Ability to adapt easily
- strengthPower to exert force
- stretchPull to extend
- elongationIncrease in length
decompression · circulation · energizing · invigorating · tension release · stress relief · calm · focus · digestion · headache relief
yoga
Mind-body exercise discipline
mindfulness · flow · yogi · yogini · instructor · class · studio · home practice · warm-up · cool-down
triangle shape
- flat backHorizontal resting posture
- neutral spineSpine's natural curved position
- tailboneFused vertebrae at spine's base
sit bones · crown · pedaling · bent knees · weight distribution
downward-facing dogupward-facing dog
Prone backbend yoga posture
cobra pose · camel pose · bridge pose · fish pose · cow pose
downward, downer, downed, downing, inward, outward, backward, forward, facing