Why Downward-Facing Dog brings so much relief

Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) is a great way to start your practice.  Remember that every single part of your practice is a big deal to your body.  This may look like a simple pose, but the first time I tried this pose I couldn't last more than a few seconds before discomfort hit, and what felt like unbearable pain wasn't far behind.  After spending the time it takes to become more comfortable in the pose, it eventually becomes a position of rest during a standing sequence.  I find this posture a great one to start my practice with because it allows me to really shift my world around, as half of my body is in an inverted position for the first time of the day.  This alone feels incredibly relieving.  Gravity has an impact on us either way, but if we can switch it around at least a few minutes a day, we can shift our whole bio-chemistry and our bodies will thank us tremendously! All day long gravity puts so much pressure on our joints, organs, and our skin.  Reversing this can be an amazing opportunity to restore our energy or re-direct an attitude that isn't serving us to one that is in alignment with our intention of our day or practice.  While you are strengthening your wrists and hands, shoulder blade area and back, you are lengthening the hamstrings, cervical spine, and lower back.  Incorporating this posture into your daily practice will help to correct the alignment of your spine and can truly transform your posture.  I will walk you through how to get into this posture from Child's Pose.

• Begin by sliding the arms out in front of you with palms down as you tuck your toes under to send your tailbone straight up.
• Your hands should be about shoulder-width apart while your feet are hip-width apart.
• Spread your fingers evenly and press the knuckles of your index fingers down.
• Press your thighs back towards the wall behind you as you engage the muscles by squeezing them to the bone.  
• Shake your head forward and back a couple times to release any tension in the cervical spine.
• Make sure to roll the shoulder blades down the back as you spread them apart.
• Try bending the knees to get a straighter line in your spine as you press your hands down more firmly and pull the hips up and back.
•  Just take the time to notice any imbalances you may feel or postural habits, or places you may be compensating.    
• Try to bring some life into the legs by pressing the heels down and gaze back between the legs.
• Let your brain enjoy the sudden surge of blood and oxygen that comes from assuming the inverted "V" position and releasing the muscles in your neck, allowing the artery that carries the oxygen-rich blood to your brain to dilate and flow more freely.
• Press your hands down as you lift your pelvis up and back.  Repeat this movement over and over again until you have achieved a straight line from your hands, through your shoulders, along your spine up to to your hips.
• Lift your navel center towards the spine and remember to breathe deeply into areas of discomfort or tightness and watch the energy shift throughout your body.
• Try and enjoy being in this position and play with variations such as one legged down dog or flip the dog, etc.

Now go find your dog and have a wonderful practice :)

For more information or for some health and wellness tips, come check out my website at restoringhealthybalance.com.  For a free health consultation, please contact me at kelly@restoringhealthybalance.com