23 Apr Upward facing dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
Upward dog is a backbend with the hips, thighs, and knees suspended off the ground, it is an activating, stimulating posture.
- Lie on your stomach, with your hands next to the ribs, fingers pointing forwards, elbows tucked into your sides.
- Press the tops of your feet into the floor and engage the thighs and knees, and keep the tailbone pointing towards the heels.
- On an inhalation press into your hands and feet, straighten your arms and lift your chest and legs off the floor.
- Engage your lower belly and knit your lower ribs.
- Draw the shoulder blades onto your back and lift your breastbone.
- You can look straight ahead or up towards the ceiling.
- Stay for 1 to 5 breaths.
- To come out, as you exhale, lower yourself down to the floor or lift yourself into Downward Facing Dog pose.