Dear Adi,
I have a really difficult time staying in downward dog for very long. I have been doing yoga on and off for years, but have been practicing regularly for 6 months and I am not seeing much improvement. Is there a way to strengthen my arms so I can enjoy this position more? -Jacqueline, Ontario
Dear Jacqueline,
Practice makes familiar! Downward facing dog is definitely a challenging pose and takes a long time to develop. One place where you can place more focus is in your legs. Your legs are an integral part of this pose. Wake up the front of your legs to press your hips and thighs back. This will extend your spine more, and take some of the pressure out of your arms.
Squeeze your outer upper arms towards your face and straighten your elbows. This action will allow you to feel your bones supporting you and your triceps working. This will also assist you in distributing effort more efficiently through your body. Remember , don’t forget to breathe as your breath will help you to relax the intensity of your effort and create a harmonious experience with the pose.
Many Blessings,
ADI
Dear Adi,
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question! You helped me more than you can imagine. I feel stronger and more confident with these simple changes. Thank you to you, Neesha and Sarah for all the great classes!
Jacqueline
I understand the feeling of familiarity in downward dog. It was way more comfortable after doing it a bunch. The first days it was hard, but after awhile it became like a home base pose. Now to just have the same in other poses. The practice continues.