Downward Dog makes an Upward Smile

I've been teaching a Power Flow class these days. In it, I often throw the yogis into Downward Dog, reminding them that it can be a restorative pose (and, if it doesn't feel like it, to get into Child's Pose, or something that does feel restorative). It's one of those poses that can feel very different to different bodies. It is incredibly challenging for some (especially those with inflexible shoulders and upper backs) and a hang-out spot for others. Either way, most of us end up in it  on a regular basis.

After my earlier post asking for folks' "if I were on a desert island with one pose" favorite, La Gitane had this response: "I think I would have to go for downward dog actually. It's just amazing how it makes me feel to do even one DD after a long day. Spine, shoulders, hamstrings, oh my!! And so many variations to keep me busy on those long, empty, deserted island days..." My feelings exactly.

99 out of 100 yoga classes have a Downward Dog someone in there. Why is this? Does our body naturally want to move into this pose? Is this the magic key to something?

I have some ideas about that, but maybe I'll see what others have to say first. Why is Downward Dog the most-known yoga pose?

Downward Dog makes an Upward Smile

1. Begin practice on stomach lying on floor. Find breath and a sense of ease
2. Garbasana (Child's Pose)
3. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
4. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
5. Vrksasana (Tree Pose). Repeat other side.
6. Utkatasana (Chair Pose)
7. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
9. High Lunge on Right
10. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
11. High Lunge on Left
12. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
13. Plank Pose
14. Vasisthasana (Side Plank)
15. Plank Pose
16. Chaturanga Dandasana
17. Urdva Mukha Savasana (Upward Facing Dog)
18. Adho Mukha Savasana (Downward Facing Dog)
19. Repeat steps 13 through 18 5 times. Hold each pose 3-5 breathes to balance the effort out and effort in.
20. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
21. Utthita Parsvotanasana (Extended Side Angle Pose)
22. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
23. Repeat step 20 to 22 on opposite side
24. Parsvottanasana (Pyramid Pose). Repeat other side.
25. Salabasana (Locust Pose)
26. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
27. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
28. Balasana (Child's Pose)
29. Halasana (Plow Pose)
30. Savasana