Spiritual Awakening: basic yoga poses | day 4

“Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak.”

Downward-Facing Dog

Sanskrit: Adho mukha svanasana

How to do it

 

From all fours, walk your hands 6 inches in front of you. Tuck your toes and lift your hips up and back to lengthen your spine. If your hamstrings are tight, keep your knees bent in order to bring your weight back into the legs.

 

Spread your fingers wide, press into your hands, and rotate your arms so that your biceps are facing toward one another. Press your thighs back toward the wall behind you.

 

The benefits

 

This classic pose opens your shoulders, lengthens your spine, and stretches your hamstrings. Since your head is below your heart, the mild inversion creates a calming effect.

 

 

Confine yourself to the present.