Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
(Upward Facing Dog)

This pose opens the heart, awakens the upper body, and stretches your chest and abdomen.

Steps:

1. Starting on the belly, palms under shoulders, begin to press into the palms and tops of the feet as you lift your chest. 

2. Open your chest toward the ceiling as you straighten your arms. Your gaze will go up slightly.

3. Keep thighs/knee caps engaged and hips toward the floor. The only things touching the floor are the palms of your hands and the tops of your feet. Push strongly into both.

4. Keep your shoulders over your wrists and draw your shoulder blades down and toward your spine to create space between your shoulders and your ears.