Get Stronger (and Smarter) During Yoga With 6 Expert Tips

Although you might not recognize it, Upward Facing Dog actually acts as a backbend. Schuyler Grant of Kula Yoga explains that the idea behind Cobra and Up Dog is to "maintain stability in your lower abdomen and lengthen your lower back." When you draw attention to your belly and back, you'll find that bringing the bend to your upper back comes much more naturally.

People tend to hang out in Upward Facing Dog and focus on pushing up through their arms. Underutilizing your legs, chest, and shoulder muscles in Upward Dog is a big mistake, since those are what should be working in the pose. Schuyler gives a helpful tip to visualize the pose once you're moving into it: "Always feel like you're pulling your chest forward and through, not pushing it up away from the floor." Once you make this shift in your practice, you'll find more flexibility (and less tension) between your shoulder blades and in your chest.

Source: Laughing River Yoga

NYC-based yogi Kristin McGee sees many students focused on the action of strenuous pushing in yoga with very little pulling in the mix. For example, in Chaturanga, you should make the effort to pull your shoulder blades together on your back rather than just pushing the floor away. The same goes for Downward Dog; as you push away the floor with your hands and feet, you should also feel like you're drawing up (or pulling in) energy from the floor while engaging your entire body. This little tip will definitely shift your perspective with at least one pose.

Source: Louisa Larson Photography