Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana


Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana or Upward Facing Dog Pose is a back-bending asana in modern yoga as exercise. It is commonly part of the widely-performed Surya Namaskar sequence, though the similar Bhujangasana may be used there instead.

Etymology and origins

The name of the pose is from the Sanskrit ऊर्ध्व Urdhva, "upwards"; मुख Mukha, "face"; and श्वान Shvana, "dog". The pose is one of those introduced by Krishnamacharya in the mid-20th century from Surya Namaskar, not then considered to be yoga, and later taught by his pupils Pattabhi Jois and B. K. S. Iyengar.

Description

The pose is entered with an inhalation from a prone position, taking the feet a little apart. The legs are stretched out straight, the toes out, and the weight of the body is supported on the hands with outstretched arms so the hips are off the ground. The gaze is directed straight upwards, so the neck and back are arched.

Claims

Twentieth century advocates of some schools of yoga, such as B. K. S. Iyengar, made claims for the effects of yoga on specific organs, without adducing any evidence.
Iyengar claimed that this pose "rejuvenates the spine", recommending it for stiff backs, lumbago, sciatica and slipped discs. He claimed that it strengthened the spine and gave "elasticity" to the lungs, and that it made the blood circulate "properly in the pelvic region", keeping it healthy.