Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (One Leg Downward Dog)

Learned: Appendix Only

See Manual Pages: A-114

Where this can show up in class: Namaskars, Peak Pada, Afterward, Connecting Vinyasa

This pose can be done in the following orientations: Standing. It is an inversion

This pose contains the following overall actions: Forward Fold.

Blueprint Pose: Adho Mukha Svanasana

Hip and Knee Information
  Hip Position Knee Position Significant Weight Bearing
Open Closed Bent Straight
Front/Leading Leg  X XX
Back/Second Leg  X X 

Movements of Prana
Prana Apana Vyana Samana
Pit of belly
Tailbone
Spine
Extended leg
Hands
Standing foot
Spine (and down)
Tailbone
Standing heel (even if not on the floor)
Fingers (push down & forward a little bit)
Core (squeeze)
Inner thighs (keep hips closed)
Standing leg and arms (pull towards each other)

Relevant Asanas
Kramas Related Asanas Pratikryasanas
Standing knee bent
Standing knee down
Fingers turned out
Wedge under hands
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Parsvottanasana
Kumara Svanasana

Physical Key Actions
Joint Mobilizations Muscle Stretching Muscle Engagement
Standing hip flexion
Standing ankle dorsiflexion
Wrist extension
Shoulder flexion w/ load
Extended hip extension
Standing leg hamstrings
Standing leg quads
Core
Shoulders
Extended leg hamstrings

Common Misalignments
Mixalignments Cues to help
Externally rotating raised leg Cue external rotation/hip opening and then bring them out of it
Cervical Extension or forehead on ground Keep head neutral (ears and biceps line up)
Tight hamstrings, making a more rounded back Bend standing knee
Elbows bent; Elbows overly wide Use arms/hand placement
Tight calf or achilles (can't get foot to floor) Bend standing knee
Rounded upper back Bend knee then push hips back
Pelvis not neutral Bring to neutral or even anterior tilt (w/ bent knees) for hamstring belly stretch
Feet not hip distance