Downward Facing Dog

Downward Facing Dog is probably one of the most well-known, iconic poses in yoga, and even if you have never attended a yoga class, you’ve probably heard about Down Dog. This pose serves as a mild inversion and a shoulder strengthening exercise, stretching the entire posterior chain, including the typically tight hamstrings and calves. It lengthens the muscle along the spine and provides a solid workout for the arms and shoulders. Traditionally, you can find Downward Facing Dog in Sun Salutations and the Vinyasa Flow, which is often used as a point of pause during Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga practices.