Downward facing dog pose meaning
Downward facing dog pose is also known as Adho Mukha Svanasana. It should be read as (AH-doh MOO-kah Shvah-NAHS-anna ). It means
Adho-downward
Mukha-face
Svana-dog
Downward facing dog yoga is an important yogasana for body stretching, back pain-relieving, leg strengthening and brain energising. It is suitable for the brain as it ensures the smooth flow of oxygen to the brain area. This is the fifth Yoga pose in Surya Namaskar.
Steps of downward-facing dog pose
The different easy techniques for performing Adho Mukha Svanasana are:
- First of all, put your palms and knees on the floor.
- Now, take the left foot back beside the right foot.
- Simultaneously, raise the buttocks and lower the head between the arms so that the back and legs form two sides of a triangle.
- The legs and arms should be straight in the final position.
- Try to keep the heels on the floor in the final pose
- Bring the head towards the knees.
- Keep one thing in mind: avoid straining while performing the pose.
Benefits of downward-facing dog pose
- Back pain: It ensures suitable stretching to the back and shows promising results for the entire spinal region.
- Brain: It is good for the brain’s health by ensuring smooth oxygen flow to the head and ENT regions.
- Skin: This is good for the facial region by supplying nutrients through blood, thus preventing pimples.
- Hair fall: It strengthens the hair follicles and prevents hair fall.
- Headache: It gives adequate expansion and contraction of head muscles and is helpful in case of migraine.
- Piles: The regular practice of this asana helps to overcome piles problems.
- Varicose vein: It gives appropriate leg stretching, thus good for varicose veins.
- Eye vision: It helps nourish the ENT region.
- Memory power: Regular pose practice ensures adequate blood flow in the head region, thus good for intelligence and mental functions.
- Anxiety: It has the power to combat anxiety.
- Lethargy: It gives adequate stretching, which further enhances efficiency.
- Shoulder strengthening: It gives proper stretch to the arms, shoulders, chest, and lungs.
- Osteoporosis: The person with osteoporosis will benefit from this pose.
- Core and waist: This is an important yoga pose to strengthen the abdomen.
- Hamstring: If you want to strengthen and make your hamstrings and calves disease-free, it is suggested to practice this yoga pose.
Dog pose precautions
- Some of the essential contraindications and cautions of downward-facing dog pose
- Avoid performing this asana during pregnancy.
- Don’t do while having diarrhoea
- Skip the yoga pose if you have acute heel and leg pain.
- It should also be avoided while having any head injury.
