Adho mukha svanasana is a foundational yoga asana that requires flexibility and upper body strength. In this asana, the body forms an inverted “V” with the feet and hands pressing into the ground and the hips pushing to the sky. As well as a range of physical benefits, it is believed to calm the mind, yet energize and rejuvenate the body.
The name comes from the Sanskrit adhas, meaning “down,” mukha, meaning “face,” svana, meaning “dog,” and asana, meaning “pose.”
The common English name for adho mukha svanasana is downward-facing dog pose, or simply downward dog or down dog.
Benefits:
- Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression .
- Energizes the body.
- Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
- Strengthens the arms and legs.
- Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause .
- Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with head supported.
- Helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Improves digestion.
- Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue.
- Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis
Image Courtesy: Achi Soch
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