True Alignment: Go Beyond the Pose in Downward Facing Dog

Have you ever found yourself in a yoga pose and thought, "Does this look right?" It's a common experience to want our poses to look picture-perfect, but there's more to a pose than meets the eye. Let’s take Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) as an example. It's easy to focus on having straight arms and a lifted chest, but the real magic happens when we engage the correct muscles and align our bodies with intention.

In this blog I’m sharing the importance of genuine alignment over aesthetics in your gentle yoga practice.

You might feel tempted to simply prop yourself up in poses like Upward Facing Dog, but by doing so, you're letting go of the opportunity to truly engage and strengthen the right muscles. Sure, it might look good from the outside, but it's the inward focus, the awareness, that builds true strength and openness.

Next time you find yourself in this pose, try this: bend your elbows, keep your shoulders down, and pull them back. Keep your elbows close to your sides. You might be lower than you're used to, but that's perfectly alright. In fact, it's better than alright—it's where the work happens, where you're actually building strength and fostering more meaningful mobility. This mindful approach transforms the way you engage with your body, allowing the benefits of the pose to truly resonate.

When you're on the mat, are you prioritizing how the pose feels inside your body over how it looks? Can you tune into that body awareness to make small adjustments that have a big impact on your growth?

Just like in everyday life, sometimes we find ourselves focusing on the surface—how things appear—rather than what's actually going on underneath. Whether you're practicing chair yoga or diving into more dynamic poses, let’s commit to honoring our true alignment over appearances. True mindfulness is about embracing the practice that's best for YOU, ensuring you're engaging fully with your body and gaining the greatest benefits.

Why not make yoga a regular part of your self-care routine and give yourself the gift of awareness? To explore our class offerings click here and find a class that will work for you.

I'm always here cheering you on as you deepen your practice. I hope you have a mindful week filled with intention and presence.

#MindfulMonday #GentleYoga #UpwardFacingDog #YogaAwareness #TrueAlignment