Yoga Anatomy

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

Upward-Facing Dog Pose

OORD-vah MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna

urdhva = rising or tending upward, raised, elevated; mukha = face; shvana = dog

E5267/Kaminoff/fig11.2a/417789/alw/pulled-r2

Infraspinatus

Triceps brachii

Spinal extensors

Gluteus maximus

Hamstrings

Vastus lateralis

E5267/Kaminoff/fig11.2b/417790/alw/pulled-r1

Adductor

magnus

Pectineus

Iliacus

Diaphragm

Psoas major

Classification

Symmetrical backward-bending arm support pose

Skeletal joint actions

Spine Upper limbs Lower limbs

Extension Shoulder extension and

adduction, elbow exten-

sion, forearm pronation

SI joint counternutation, hip

extension and adduction,

knee extension, ankle plan-

tar flexion