Adho Much Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) is a very popular pose among yogis, and is one of the poses many think about when Yoga is mentioned. It offer the ultimate all-over, rejuvenating stretch. This pose when done regularly helps to:
- Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression and energizes the body
- Stretched the shoulder, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
- Strengthens the arms & legs and helps prevent osteoporosis
- Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
- Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with head supported
- Improves digestion
- Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue
- Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis
Before positioning yourself into Downward Facing Dog, beware of some conditions that are contraindications for this pose. These include:
- Carpal tunnel Syndrome / wrist or neck and shoulder pain
- Pregnancy: DO NOT DO this pose late-term
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure or headache: Support your head on a bolster or block, ears level between the arms.
