Kumara Svanasana (Downward Dog - Hip Opening)

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

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) 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 Eka Pada Adho Mukha 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
Rotating whole body with rotated leg	Look under rotated leg armpit; Pull rotated leg side ribs down
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