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DOWNWARD FACING DOG: FRIEND OR FOE?
by Meg Rooney
When I first tried yoga in my early 30s, I hated doing downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Savasana). In fact, my discomfort with that asana (pose) discouraged me from continuing on my yoga journey. It hurt my wrists and I felt disoriented hanging my head upside down. So I stepped away from my neophyte yoga practice.
Fast forward a few years and something drew me back to yoga. During the intervening years, I worked out, lifted weights, attended many Pilates classes, and lost my mother to cancer. I was ready to give the old dog another try. And this time I was ready.
I really was ready. I think that is key. You need to feel ready for the challenges that yoga presents. And you need to feel okay about not feeling okay about a pose or three. What I came to understand is that the lessons I learn on my yoga mat, such as pushing through a challenge, being okay with not being able to do it well, and trying my best, have the same value off my mat as they do on it.
So back to my question: Is downward dog friend or foe? It has proven to be my friend. We have grown to accept each other, recognize each others’ limits, and enjoy the playful and beneficial qualities of the dog.
While it’s not for everyone - although there are many variations to accommodate various health issues and physical challenges - if you feel ready, give the old dog a try. You may find you have a new friend.
Note: There are illnesses and physical infirmaries which are contraindicated for doing this pose. Always check with a physician before engaging in new physical activities.
Fast forward a few years and something drew me back to yoga. During the intervening years, I worked out, lifted weights, attended many Pilates classes, and lost my mother to cancer. I was ready to give the old dog another try. And this time I was ready.
I really was ready. I think that is key. You need to feel ready for the challenges that yoga presents. And you need to feel okay about not feeling okay about a pose or three. What I came to understand is that the lessons I learn on my yoga mat, such as pushing through a challenge, being okay with not being able to do it well, and trying my best, have the same value off my mat as they do on it.
So back to my question: Is downward dog friend or foe? It has proven to be my friend. We have grown to accept each other, recognize each others’ limits, and enjoy the playful and beneficial qualities of the dog.
While it’s not for everyone - although there are many variations to accommodate various health issues and physical challenges - if you feel ready, give the old dog a try. You may find you have a new friend.
Note: There are illnesses and physical infirmaries which are contraindicated for doing this pose. Always check with a physician before engaging in new physical activities.
Meet Meg:
Meg joined the Grow Wellness team as a Yoga Instructor in April of 2023! She teaches a variety of weekly wellness classes for both adults and kids!
Meg believes in the value and benefits of building a toolbox of mindfulness resources and practices, including yoga. What is practiced during mindful moments and yoga enrich the lives of each practitioner. She believes that these are gifts practitioners give themselves resulting in far-reaching benefits for both the individual and the community at large.
It is Meg’s passion to help others learn these tools and take what they practice on the mat into their daily lives.
Learn more about Meg's journey by clicking the button below!
Meg believes in the value and benefits of building a toolbox of mindfulness resources and practices, including yoga. What is practiced during mindful moments and yoga enrich the lives of each practitioner. She believes that these are gifts practitioners give themselves resulting in far-reaching benefits for both the individual and the community at large.
It is Meg’s passion to help others learn these tools and take what they practice on the mat into their daily lives.
Learn more about Meg's journey by clicking the button below!
Where to find meg:
Meg hosts two yoga classes held weekly in-studio and via live-streaming! Join her Thursdays for Yoga for Joy and Wellness at 6pm EST or Sundays at 12pm EST for her Kids Yoga Class Series either in-studio or tune in from anywhere in the world!!
MEG'S CLASS SCHEDULE:
Yoga for Joy & Wellness - Thursdays 6pm
Kids Class Series! - Sundays 12pm [in May]
Yoga for Joy & Wellness - Thursdays 6pm
Kids Class Series! - Sundays 12pm [in May]
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