How to do a Downward Dog
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Downward Dog
Workouts with Downward Dog
Target muscles worked
Instructions for Proper Form
Downward Dog is a yoga pose that serves as a functional and versatile stretch. It is primarily beneficial for improving flexibility in your hamstrings, calves, and shoulders while also strengthening your arms and core. By extending your hands and feet and forming an inverted V-shape, you create an effective full-body stretch that can enhance overall mobility and reduce tension, making it a great addition to warm-ups or cool-downs in strength-training routines.
- Place your hands underneath your shoulders and elevate your torso and legs creating a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.
- Slowly raise your hips keeping your arms and legs extended while pushing your chest to your feet and pushing your heels into the floor.
- Hold this stretch for 15-30 seconds.
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2. Seated Forward Bend
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3. Single Leg Straight Forward Bend
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4. Crossover Standing Forward Bend
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