7 Reasons to practice Down Dog everyday!
1️.Full Body stretch: Down Dog done correctly will provides the body a full body stretch. The pose opens the backs of the Legs. So if you are a runner, please be kind to your body and allow this opening to take place.
It elongates the Spine. Ex: If you have any lower back issues, this will help release the compression in the lower back when sitting and standing.
Strengthens and Opens the Chest. In order for this to take place, you have to engage the chest. Instead of hanging out in down dog, listen to the alignment cues the teacher gives in class to engage your body parts.
Strengthens the Arms & Legs. This is your foundation. Engaging your arms to guide the hips up and back to elongate your spine will definitely strengthen your ams. Engaging arms will also prevent you from dumping your body weight to your wrists, so you avoid wrist paid in yoga.
2️. Stretches and strengthens the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands.
3️. Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause.
4️. Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and relieve mild depression.
Scientists have cited evidence that the practice of yoga may affect the human body in ways similar to antidepressants and psychotherapy. One study of biomarkers, for example, found that yoga influences brain chemicals by boosting serotonin levels, lowers inflammation, reduces oxidative stress and exerts a positive influence on other key elements of the human body that play a role in mental health.
5️. Energizes the body.
6️. Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with head supported.
7️. Helps prevent osteoporosis. Bone health is super important as our bodies age. Since weight-bearing exercise has been shown to strengthen bone, try to include postures that involve moving the body against gravity, particularly poses that use my arms and upper body—for example, Down Dog, Side Plank, Handstand against a wall, and repetitions of the middle portion of Sun Salutations (high plank, low plant, upward dog and Down Dog).
If there's any discomfort at any time, please talk to your yoga instructor for modifications.
