PUPPY POSE (Uttana Shishosana)
PUPPY POSE
This posture is somewhere between DOWNWARD FACING DOG and CHILD’S POSE
Reasons I absolutely love Puppy Pose:
- More accessible than Child’s Pose for anyone with ACL, MCL or meniscus injuries
- More accessible than Child’s Pose for distance runners or anyone with tight ankles
- More accessible than Child’s Pose for anyone with large breasts that make prone poses uncomfortable
- Plus it has the cutest name!
One of the great things about teaching private clients is the sheer diversity in body types that you get to teach. In most group classes where I live, the majority of my students were fairly young, and familiar with yoga. There wasn’t time to discuss injuries in depth, or provide modifications. I’ve learned that full Child’s Pose is not that comfortable or accessible to a lot of my clients.
ALIGNMENT
From TABLE (hands and knees), place the forearms on the mat, palms facing down.
Set the forehead on the mat. If the forehead doesn’t reach, try placing a blanket or a block at the lowest height.
Walk the fingertips forward for a deeper stretch in the shoulders and upper back
For a more active version of this pose, INHALE and lift the elbows, press the palms down and activate the arms. EXHALE pull the hips back towards the heels.
BENEFITS
- Stretches the shoulder girdle and abdominal muscles
- Lengthens the spine
- Can relieve mild low back pain
Catherine Tingey
Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
About the Author
Catherine Tingey+ Entrepreneur, yogini, designer, award-winning filmmaker, personal trainer and former marathon runner. She left a career in finance to start her own business and along the way, became a yoga teacher. She has been practicing yoga for 33 years and teaching privately for 13 years.
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