Marjaryasana — Cat Pose

Cat pose is a simple pose that is often used as a reward for more challenging poses. It also provides a massage for the spine, especially when incorporated with cow pose.

Despite all the wonderful benefits of cat pose, it is my least favorite. I suppose I shouldn’t have a least favorite, but I do. Cat pose is pretty boring for me, and I find myself half-assing my way through it most of the time. I don’t really stretch as much as I should. I just sort of arch my back and hope it looks right. I’m not sure why I don’t like this one much, but I don’t. I suppose if I dedicate a post to my favorite pose, I should also fess up to the one I dislike the most. Here’s to cat pose. Bleh.

As always, for more information on the pose, check out Yoga Journal.

Cat pose

Photo source: Yoga Journal

Adho Mukha Svanasana—Downward-Facing Dog

One of the most popular yoga poses, downward-facing dog strenghtens the arms and back and stretches the legs. It also happens to be my favorite pose.

Such a pretty pose, I think.

I like downard-facing dog for a number of reasons:

1. As noted above, it strengthens my arms and back. My arms do a lot of the heavy lifting, and my back muscles are needed to keep me in a straight line.

2. It stretches my legs. As my heels reach closer to the ground, the backs of my hamstrings and calves are stretched.

3. It calms me. I’m not really sure why, because I’m not a scientist, but I immediately feel calmer when in this pose. Quite literaly, my head feels relaxed, and stress begins to recede.

4. It challenges me. It isn’t an easy pose. Holding myself up with my arms, trying to keep my back perfectly straight, and reaching my heels as far down as possible isn’t a piece of cake.

5. It disciplines me. Perhaps all yoga is an act of discipline, but I find that this pose reminds me that I’m being disciplined. I have to constantly remind myself not to let my back round and to keep my head aligned with my arms.

Now, despite my love for downward-facing dog, I don’t exactly look like that lovely beauty above. My heels don’t meet the floor, and my shoulders aren’t all that flexible yet. I’m trying, though, and I’m hoping that when I can correctly do the pose (like above), the benefits will be even better.

And holy moly, I might could conquer the world if I could do this one:

Yowza!

For a tutorial and some information about additional benefits, modifications, and tips, visit Yoga Journal. Namaste.

Photos courtesy of their owners. Click on photo for source.