Find Out How Yoga’s Downward Dog Could Make Your Day
The Downward Dog Yoga pose is one of the most widely practiced yoga poses on the planet for good reason. The benefits never seem to stop.
If you are a veteran to yoga or just getting started, learning to do Downward Dog may be the highlight for your whole session. I found it difficult at first, but as it is repeated it becomes a natural pose and a total workout. Lifehack tells us why it works so well.
All the upper body muscles get a workout
Breaking out of our computer hunches over phones and computers, downward dog releases the tension in the chest and upper back and strengthens arms, chest, back and shoulders.
Digestion gets a boost too as we strengthen our core
As you pull your navel into your spine, you also work the digestive organs and help your body’s digestion system function better.
Legs get a good stretch
Walking, standing, and sitting all day causes the glutes, hips, hamstrings, and calves to tighten. This stretches and opens up the backs of the legs from the glutes, along the hamstrings, and down to the calves.
You will feel your circulation improve too.
Downward Dog improves the flow of blood throughout the body and gets the blood flowing to the brain
The helps flush toxins, boosts immunity, and regulates blood pressure.
Stress and tension take a hike
For me this was the biggie. My whole yoga routine proved to be a perfect way to siphon off stress, but downward dog was definitely the star of the workout.
Allowing your head to relax helps ease tension and stress. The flow of blood to the brain calms the nervous system, improves memory and concentration, as well as relieving stress. It also provides relief from headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and mild depression.
Hands and feet get toned too
Since Downward Dog is a weight-bearing pose, it will work your hands and feet, as well as prepare you for standing poses and arm balances. Grounding down through the hands, and spreading your fingers wide, work your fingers, hands, and wrists. As you press your heels down, the pose strengthens and stretches the Achilles tendons, arches, feet, and toes.
If you are just considering yoga, Downward Dog might be the pose that pulls you in. I started by observing classes and talking to instructors. But taking a sample class really is the test. From the minute you settle onto your mat until the final concluding pose you should get a reading of just how much yoga can do for you. Enjoy!
