Puppy Pose: Discovering the Benefits of This Restorative Yoga Posture

Yoga is a great way to improve your physical and mental well-being, and one of the postures that is perfect for both beginners and experienced practitioners is puppy pose. Puppy pose is a restorative posture that offers numerous benefits, including increased flexibility and improved balance. In this article, we’ll explore how to do puppy pose, the benefits of this posture, and tips for properly executing it.

What is Puppy Pose?

Puppy pose is a restorative yoga pose that involves placing your palms and forehead on the floor while pressing your buttocks in the air and keeping your back as flat as possible. This posture is also known as Uttana Shishosana, which means “happy pup” in Sanskrit. Due to its calming and relaxing effects, puppy pose is commonly used in yoga classes and workshops and can be adapted to suit all levels of experience.

How To Do Puppy Pose

To get into puppy pose, start in a table top position with your hands and knees on the floor. Move your hands slightly forward and bring your chest closer to the floor, allowing your forehead to come down to the mat. Ensure that your arms remain shoulder-width apart and parallel to each other.

Your next step is to press your hips up and back, pushing your buttocks in the air as high as you can. At the same time, tuck your toes underneath and press the top of your feet into the floor. Make sure to keep your elbows straight and press evenly through your palms.

Finally, maintain this pose for anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes, while taking slow deep breaths and focusing on lengthening your spine. When you are ready to come out of puppy pose, slowly lower your hips to the floor and rest in child’s pose for a few breaths before slowly coming back up to a seated position.

Benefits of Puppy Pose

Puppy pose can provide a variety of benefits, both mental and physical. Here are some of the key benefits associated with this posture:

Increased flexibility: Puppy pose is a great way to open up tight shoulders, hips, and back muscles, making it an ideal pose for those who have been sitting for long periods of time.

Improved balance: The combination of stretching and balance required in this posture makes it ideal for improving your overall balance.

Relaxation and stress relief: Puppy pose is a deeply calming and restorative pose and is perfect for relieving tension and stress.

Strengthened core: This pose requires you to engage your abdominal muscles, helping to strengthen your core.

Tips for Doing Puppy Pose

The following tips can help ensure that you are properly executing puppy pose in order to reap its many benefits:

Keep your shoulders relaxed: When going into puppy pose, make sure to keep your shoulders relaxed away from your ears rather than hunching them forward.

Don’t lock your elbows: Make sure to keep your elbows soft and slightly bent, rather than locking them into place.

Modify as needed: If you’re feeling uncomfortable at any point during this posture, you can come onto your forearms instead of your palms. You can also place blocks or blankets underneath your forehead for extra comfort.

Conclusion

Puppy pose is a great restorative yoga posture that can offer numerous benefits, including increased flexibility, improved balance, and enhanced relaxation. If done correctly, it can be a great addition to your regular yoga practice. Remember to keep your elbows soft and your shoulders relaxed when doing puppy pose, and modify the posture as needed for greater comfort.

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