up dog

Description

Upward Facing Dog, urdvha mukha svanasana. Upward-Facing Dog is a prone backbend commonly entered from Chaturanga in vinyasa flows. In this pose, the arms straighten to lift the chest while the thighs and shins hover above the mat. Upward Dog opens the chest and stretches the abdominal muscles as the spine extends into a gentle arch. Simultaneously, it strengthens the arms and shoulders that bear the body’s weight and engages the back muscles to support the spine’s extension. The result is a strong upper-body workout coupled with a front-body stretch, countering the effects of forward bending poses. An arm-supported backbend with the chest lifted and the legs extended behind, balancing on the hands and tops of the feet. Commonly used in vinyasa flows as a transition from prone poses to standing sequences or seated postures. It belongs to the backbend family and often follows cobra pose, preparing for downward-facing dog. Known as ūrdhva mukha śvānāsana in Sanskrit, meaning upward-facing dog. A prone backbend where the body is lifted on the hands and tops of the feet, creating an open chest and extended spine. Commonly used in vinyasa sequences as a backbend following a forward fold or plank, serving as a transition or counterpose. Part of the backbend family, it typically follows chaturanga and precedes downward dog. Known in Sanskrit as ūrdhva mukha śvānāsana, meaning upward-facing dog.

Common Names

Images

Generated image for the updog yoga pose.

Generated image for the updog yoga pose.

Related Poses

No related poses.