Thoughts on Improving Downward Dog

A huge part of yoga is about self-study (Svādhyāya in Sanskrit). When we apply that within the asanas we can make all sorts of discoveries from within.

From time to time in this blog I will share my observation of myself in these poses.

Every teacher of yoga must also be an ardent student of yoga...and here I switch modes, watch quietly and observe.

So I learnt through those who have had close association with Mr. Iyengar, that he says one of the first things he does in a pose is to move the skin.

As a student I had many a week to ponder that seemingly odd instruction so I began to apply it to downward dog.

I assumed the position of adho mukha svanasana (downward facing dog) as I have done time and time again and observed my skin in the area that always seem to defeat me most...the legs.

I noticed that the following actions brought more strength to the overall pose:

1) Moving the skin on the top of the foot towards the front crease of the ankles by shifting the weight to the back of the balls of the feet.
2) Liftng the knee caps and quadricep muscles right up to the top crease of the thighs
3) Lengthening the skin of inner heal downward towards the floor
4) Taking the knee back just enough to tightening the skin at the inner back crease of the knee
5) Making the skin on the soles of the feet taught by lenghtening the feet back towards the wall behind.

Then whole leg then became active, weight was taken off the shoulders the spine lenghtened more easily.

Namaste.

Asha.

Comments

[Dog Collar]

Yoga is a type exercise that is very good for the body but many of the postures are not easy for the practitioners. That said nothing too significant can be gained with ease. I persevere to master the positions everyday, although it is a struggle I keep at it. Thanks for pointing me down to the better way of the dog.