Down with the dog

By Carol Harblin (CHHC)

Yoga has been touted as a beneficial exercise that allows our bodies to be more flexible and have more longevity.

One yoga pose that is quite known is the "downward-facing dog." In sanskrit, it is "Adhomukha Svanasana."

We all have posed in this way if we have gone to a yoga class even once. But do you know what that one pose offers our health?

• The downward-facing dog reduces stiffness in our shoulders and in our shoulder joints.
  
• It relieves pain in our feet and the heels of the feet as well.
  
• For menopausal women, it helps relieve hot flashes too!!
  
• This pose is also very good for women who have heavy menstrual flow too.
• Slows the heart beat
  

When this pose is held for one-minute, it helps to replenish our energy as well as our nervous system.

There are a few precautions to take with this pose however.....

those with high blood pressure should prop their heads on a small pillow.

Also....even though this is a wonderful pose for those in heavy menstrual bleeding or in menopause, it is not encouraged to do when a woman is pregnant.