Urdvha Mukha Svanasana and Bhujangasana
This pose might look like an easy shape to make, but it’s hard! It’s a heart opener which helps us stretch the front side of our body while strengthening the back. I’ve been realizing my shoulders are tighter than I thought so my shoulders are more rounded than they should be compared to a “perfect” pose. But let’s begin to redefine a perfect pose as something that feels good to you, rather than looks good for others!
How to:
Cobra:
- From chaturanga, lower all the way down. Untuck your toes and keep your feet hips distance apart. Stack elbows over wrists
- Push your feet into the mat, engage your quads, turn your inner thighs up towards the ceiling and squeeze your glutes
- Push into your hands and feel as if you’re pulling your hands back towards your feet
- Broaden through your collarbones and draw your shoulder blades down your back to keep your shoulders open
Upward Facing Dog
- From chaturanga, untuck your toes and push through your hands to bring your chest up and forward.
- Push your feet into the mat, engage your quads, turn your inner thighs up towards the ceiling and squeeze your glutes (Same as above)
- Push through your hands and to straighten arms, stacking shoulders over wrists. Only hands and feet on the mat.
- Broaden through your collarbones and draw your shoulder blades down your back to keep your shoulders open (Same as above)
Tips:
- Turn your hands more outwards if your shoulders are tight, turning the space between your thumb and index finger toward the top of your mat
- Use a block underneath your hands to get more of a lift
