7 Stretches to Help Your Heels Touch the Ground in Downward Dog

Puppy Pose is a "similar shape to Down Dog in the upper body, but your knees are on the ground," explained Jody Braverman, RYT-2000. "Practicing this pose will help open your shoulders to get the perfect alignment of the upper body in Down Dog."

• Start on all fours with your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.
• Slide or walk your hands forward slowly until your hips are aligned about over your knees and your arms are straight. If you can, set your forehead or chin on the ground.
• Hold for 30 seconds to a minute.
• To come out of the pose, slowly walk your knees backward until you're flat on your belly, then return to a sitting position.