The downward facing dog pose is so crucial and beneficial in yoga yet so many of us get it wrong. Sarah Malcolm shows you exactly how
Yoga has been on the rise for quite some time now. For those who participate in the ancient practice, it’s become a lifestyle that they simply cannot live without. But for those that don’t, it can often feel like a closed shop with many teachers in classes assuming everyone knows their downward dogs from their triangle poses.
But there is actually a lot to learn in yoga, from breathing to the nuances of a pose. And really learning what you’re doing can mean the difference between having a rewarding experience you can build into a genuine love and walking out feeling inadequate and inflexible.
This is why we called on a leading London yoga teacher to create our latest Healthista Challenge – where you learn in detail a different pose or aspect of yoga every day.
Sarah Malcolm (@sarahmalcs), a London based yoga teacher, will be taking us on this journey.
Although Malcolm teaches in London based studios, she also teaches at worldwide yoga retreats.
She wants to encourage her students to not be defined by one body type, but rather to feel good in their own bodies.
If you’re just joining us, Day One focuses on yogic breathing.
Day Two is the next step in learning the basics of yoga, an easy cross-legged pose.
Downward facing dog
Arguably the most known yoga pose amongst yogis and non-yogis, downward facing dog is the next step in Malcolm’s yoga sequence.
Although it may be popular, this pose is often done incorrectly which can lead to many body problems if so.
‘It’s often a pose that I see done very bad for your posture in classes,’ says Malcolm.
To ensure that you are not putting your body in any harm, follow along with Malcolm to learn the proper way to achieve downward dog success.
Check back in tomorrow for the next move in our yoga challenge video series.
Our 30 day yoga challenge
Each day you will be learning a new aspect to the practice, so in a month you will have learned the basic yoga poses in depth and participate in classes or do a proper sequence yourself.
Shockingly to most people, yoga is a meditation that anyone can do. You don’t need a specific body type to master the practice, you just need the right skills – and you don’t need to be bendy! Our 30 day challenge will give you the skills to become a true yogi.
Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahmalcs
In our video series, Sarah is dressed by lululemon
30 Day Yoga Challenge:
30 Day Yoga Challenge with Sarah Malcolm – Day 4
30 Day Yoga Challenge with Sarah Malcolm – Day 3
30 Day Yoga Challenge with Sarah Malcolm – Day 2
30 Day Yoga Challenge with Sarah Malcolm – Day 1
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