Dog Poses
Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) and Upward Facing Dog (Urdvah Mukha Svanasana) are foundational poses for sun salutations. Down Dog strengthens the wrists, hamstrings, calves and Achilles tendon as well as the entire back and shoulder area. By elongating the cervical spine and neck muscles it can also decrease tension. Upward dog stretches the front body, counteracting the typical forward folding posture so many of us are when we are at work, doing chores, gardening, driving, or even playing a musical instrument. This helps to open our chest, and tone the arms and legs.
Jenny in Upward Facing Dog (Urdvah Mukha Svanasana) at Botanical Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on Vancouver Island B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) at Botanical Beach, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on Vancouver Island B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Upward Facing Dog (Urdvah Mukha Svanasana) on Abbot Ridge in Glacier National Park, B.C. across from Mount Sir Donald (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) on Abbot Ridge in Glacier National Park, B.C. across from Mount Sir Donald (Photo by Ian Hatter)
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) on Abbot Ridge in Glacier National Park, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter)
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) on the summit of Paget Peak in Yoho National Park, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter)
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) along an interpretive trail in the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park, Utah (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) along the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) in the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park, Utah (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) near the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers in Canyonlands National Park, Utah (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) in Snow Canyon State Park, Utah (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) at the source of the Elbow River in Kananaskis Country, Alberta (Photo by Ian Hatter)
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) on top of the Barranco Wall on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa (Photo by Ian Hatter)
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) on Windy Ridge, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, B.C. (Photo by Ian Hatter)
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) along Second Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington (Photo by Ian Hatter).
Jenny in Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana) on the summit of Mount Temple (elev 3,544 m or 11,627 ft), near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta (Photo by Ian Hatter).
