Master Upward Dog Pose for Healthy Shoulders

At Premier Fitness, we understand the importance of maintaining a healthy body, especially for those who spend long hours working at a desk or glued to a screen. Yoga, with its myriad benefits, plays a crucial role in promoting overall well-being. Today, we focus on mastering the upward-facing dog pose, a fundamental yoga posture that can relieve tight, tense shoulders and improve your posture.

What is Upward Dog?

Upward dog, or Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, is a foundational part of Vinyasa yoga. It’s a backbend that stretches the front of your body, including your shoulders and chest. In this pose, your arms support your body, providing a full extension of your spine. Your hands and feet are the only parts of your body touching the ground.

Who Can Practice Upward Dog?

Anyone with a healthy back can practice upward dog. It strengthens your back muscles and lengthens your spine. However, it’s crucial to do it correctly to avoid injury. Listen to your body—if you experience sharp or sudden pain, consider modifying the pose, perhaps with the gentler cobra pose.

Muscles Worked in Upward Dog

Upward dog stretches your hips, rectus abdominis, chest, and shoulders. It engages your shoulders, arms, psoas, hamstrings, and transverse abdominis. The activation of the transverse abdominis is essential for supporting your lumbar spine.

Upward Dog Benefits

Upward dog actively extends your entire spine, making it an excellent exercise for countering the effects of prolonged sitting and poor posture. It strengthens your back and promotes flexibility.

How to Practice Upward Dog:

• Start: Lie face-down with your legs extended, feet hip-width apart.
• Hand Placement: Place your hands beneath your shoulders, thumbs in line with your rib cage.
• Engage: Engage your abdomen, press into your feet, and lift your chest, keeping your shoulders away from your ears.
• Gaze: Look forward without straining your neck, and hold for a round of breath in and out.
• Release: Lower down in reverse order—knees, thighs, belly, and chest to the floor.

Connection with Premier Fitness

At Premier Fitness, we advocate for holistic well-being, just like yoga does. Our services, ranging from preventative maintenance and repairs to equipment supply and CAD design for fitness spaces, align with the yoga philosophy of a healthy mind in a healthy body. By mastering yoga poses like upward dog, you’re taking a step toward overall fitness, aligning perfectly with our goals.

For more insightful articles on health and fitness, stay tuned to Premier Fitness’s blog.

Original article: https://www.livestrong.com/article/13778655-upward-dog-yoga/