I love downward dog. There are times that I feel tension in my shoulders and upper back because I resist relaxing into the pose, but I love the feeling when I finally do let the ground support me and relax into the stretch. When I'm resting in downward dog, my spine feels long and delicious. There are times I'll stop what I'm doing during the day and come into downward dog for a minute or two then return to what I was doing with a renewed sense of vigor and focus.
Today was a perfect example. I spent about 4 hours today in and out of the car, on the run. I had done a wonderful hip opening segment in my morning yoga practice, so luckily I started the day off feeling loose. By 2:00, however, I was in baaaaad need of a stretch. The first thing I did when I arrived home was come into my yoga room and get into downward dog. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
I guess you could say that I'm taking the lead from our furry friends -- dogs. After all, they stretch all the time, especially after they get up from a nap (or lying down for an extended period of time). Dog - man's best friend and fellow yogi! I just read a funny little article about doggie yoga that brings up some wonderful points about the value of stretching.
Whenever I feel tired, stressed, or stiff, I do a few yoga poses to stretch out and loosen up. It never fails to make me feel good, and my body is always happier afterwards. After all, why should we let our furry friends have all of the fun?
Namaste!
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