Technique
- Begin in Downward dog with your hips high, fingers spread and feet hip-width apart.
- Roll forward, stacking your shoulders over your wrists into a solid high plank with your core and glutes engaged.
- Shift slightly forward onto your tiptoes and bend your elbows straight back, hugging your ribs, until your upper arms are parallel to the floor.
- Keep your body in a straight line from head to heels; do not drop your hips or scoop your chest.
- Press strongly through your palms and drive your hips up and back to Downward dog.
- Flow continuously between the two positions with your breath.
Form tips
- Keep your elbows hugging your ribs, not flaring out to the sides.
- Hold a rigid line from head to heels; your hips should not sag or pike as you lower.
Muscles
Strength
Primary
- Shoulders
- Chest
- Triceps
- Serratus anterior
Secondary
- Biceps
- Forearms
- Abs
- Obliques
- Pelvis
Flexibility
Primary
- Glutes
- Hamstrings
- Legs
- Chest
- Back
Secondary
- Hip adductors
- Pelvis
Individual muscles
Individual muscles
- Anterior deltoid
- Pectoralis major (clavicular head)
- Triceps brachii (long head)
- Triceps brachii (medial head)
- Triceps brachii (lateral head)
- Serratus anterior
Equipment
Appears in
Other disciplines
Joint movements
Regressions

Downward dog
Beginner
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