Yoga Anatomy

Adho Mukha Svanasana

Downward-Facing Dog Pose

AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna

adho = downward; mukha = face; shvana = dog

E5267/Kaminoff/fig11.1a/417787/alw/pulled-r1

Gastrocnemius

Hamstrings

Gluteus maximus

Latissimus dorsi

Deltoid

E5267/Kaminoff/fig11.1b/417788/alw/pulled-r2

Quadriceps

Intrinsic

foot

muscles

Serratus

anterior

Triceps brachii

Classification

Symmetrical inverted arm support pose

Skeletal joint actions

Spine Upper limbs Lower limbs

Neutral spine Scapular upward rotation and

elevation, shoulder flexion,

elbow extension, forearm

pronation, wrist dorsiflex-

ion

SI joint nutation, hip flexion,

knee extension, ankle dor-

siflexion