#downwarddog

[yogadaily]

(via yogini   || Curated with love by yogadaily) 

[gaycomicgeek]

Morning yoga done. Sweaty pup. Time to shower and start putting this Snake Mountain together! #GayComicGeek #gaygeek #downwarddog #sweatypup #yogageek www.Patreon.com/GayComicGeek https://www.instagram.com/p/ChzbtNquRDN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[kinoyoga]

Everything counts. There is no easy out in the practice. We cannot skip over foundational strength and alignment in “boring” poses and expect to succeed in more “cool” poses. So much “advanced” training is done in Downward Dog. From handstand to backbend and arm balances to forward folds, it’s all right here if you look for it. So much of our practice is about developing the ability to see through the layers of our own delusion and reveal the truth of what is. If we can learn to see the work that starts from the first breath, then the whole path opens for us. Keep practicing 🙏 Outfit @lululemon #thesweatlife #lululemon Photo @victor__chito @balearicretreats in Mallorca. See you there next year!# Day 3 @omstarsofficial #bestronger challenge. Are you joining me for this? #yoga #yogachallenge #downwarddog #yogi #kinoyoga #omstars #mallorca #spain #españa 💕 (at Mallorca) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfhBVgCOPuM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[davekrat]

Downward facing dog tones the core, arms and legs, opens and strengthens the shoulders in flexion, lengthens the hamstrings, stretches the calves and turns your attention inward. 🐶

[remyandbeau]

downward....ahh forget it, you get the picture. 

[thedemonswontwin]

The Squirrel’s heart

Was racing

He was worried

He was stressed

Could he hide enough nuts

Before winter rolled in

Darting here and there

He couldn’t rest

Watching other squirrels

Only heightened his unease

Now

A little fact was true

Squirrel had already hid

Enough nuts under the leaves

For one winter

Possibly two

But he didn’t realize this

Cause he was in a state

As he clamored for more

And his fur stood on end

A local Possum came by

You could call him a friend

Whoa whoa whoa

Said the Possum

As he watched the Squirrel squirm

Take a breath now my pal

You need to settle down that fur

At first the Squirrel shook

He was as nervous as can be

Do some yoga said the Possom

A downward dog or three

Now focus on your breath

And ignore the nuts for a moment

The Squirrel slowly obeyed

And his skin laid flat and sleek

His tail settled down

Now that you have slowed down

Let’s take a look at where you are

Said the Possum

Not much time had past

Before the Squirrel realized

His stress

Made no sense

His lot of nuts

Was a lot

What a glorious thing

Take a rest there my friend

Said the Possum

Cause whether you have all the nuts you need

Or you still need more

You can’t do your best work

In a panic filled storm

The Possum then walked away

In his methodical way

And the Squirrel set out

To assist his other friends

Fill their stores for the winter

A satisfying chore he thought

As he took a deep breath

To help

Everybody get their lot

[kittyrinn-aiko]

Kitsumi Nova did not know the Jack-O-Pose Challenge was even a thing when she posed for this. Which is actually more of a Downward Dog. Yes, that's right, The Jack-O-Pose Challenge is just an exaggerated Downward Dog.

[hollyclough]

My Favorite Yoga Poses For Leg Toning And Lengthening

1. Dancer's Pose (Natarajasana)

How to: From Mountain Pose, bend your right knee so that you can grab your inner ankle with your hand, palm facing open. Make sure your arm doesn't twist; this is an external rotation of the shoulder. If you have trouble with standing balances, to modify, go to a wall and begin in Mountain Pose facing the wall, so that you can support yourself with your extended palm once you enter the pose. Draw your core inward and up, keeping it engaged for the duration of the pose. Focus your gaze on a single point, keeping it soft. As you inhale, raise your left arm straight out and up along your ear, raising your right leg up and back behind you allowing your spine to back bend into a half moon shape. If you are using the wall, the left hand supports you on the wall. Keep your chest lifted as your leg elevates. Hold for 5 breaths. Switch sides.

Benefits: Dancer's Pose stretches the hamstrings of the front leg and the quads and hip flexors of back leg.

2. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) 

How to: Stand with your legs about three to three-and-a-half feet apart. Pivot your right foot out 90 degrees and your left foot inward at about 35 degrees. Place your hands on your hips and shift your hips toward your back heel while your right shoulder begins to descend toward your right leg. Imagine that your back is touching a wall so that your torso is in line with your legs. Open your arms by placing your right hand onto your shin, a block, your ankle or your toe, while you extend the left arm above the right to form a straight line. Open across your chest. Try to get the top and bottom of your torso to be parallel (no curves). This requires softening the top ribs down and in. Hold for 10 deep breaths. Come back to a stand. Switch sides.

Benefits: Triangle Pose stretches the adductors of front and back legs. 

3. Side Stretch Pose (Parsvottanasana)

How to: From Mountain Pose, step your left foot behind you about two-and-a-half feet, turning the foot out to 45 degrees. Take your arms into prayer behind your back if possible. If prayer is not available, keep your arms along the side your body. Hinge at your right hip until you assume a long spine parallel to the ground. Your hands will be in prayer behind your back, or you can place them onto your shins to modify. Stay here or if you can, and fold deeper to bring your abdomen to touch your thigh and your face toward your shin. Hold for 10 deep breaths. Switch sides.

Benefits: This intense pose stretches and lengthens the shin, calves, hamstrings and glutes.

4. Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

How to: Stand with your feet hips-width apart. Fold forward, hinging at your hips and placing your palms on the ground beside your pinky toes. If you're hamstrings are tight and you can't touch the ground, bend your knees to modify this posture and just let your hands hang evenly along side your shins. Hold for 10 deep breaths as you keep the head and neck soft and released.

Benefits: Uttanasana stretches the Achilles, calves, hamstrings and glutes.

5. Short Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) 

How to: Come onto your hands and knees. Walk your hands forward about six inches in front of your shoulders. Place your hands shoulder distance apart, knees hips-width. Spread your fingers wide. Press firmly into your hands so that you can lift your knees off the floor while floating your hips up and away from your hands. Assume an upside down V-shaped position with equal weight distribution on your hands and feet. If your spine rounds and your weight doesn't feel evenly distributed, bend your knees to modify. Over time, work toward getting both heels on the ground (or straightening your legs with your heels slightly off the ground). Hold for 10 deep breaths.

Benefits: This slightly modified Down Dog stretches the Achilles, calves, hamstrings and glutes.

***Credits MBGMovement