A new trick for the downward-facing dog: A push-up ... Try This
Looking for a total body exercise that stretches and strengthens? Try the down dog push-up. Demonstrated by Tamal Dodge, co-founder of Santa Monica’s Yoga Collective and the yogi behind Element’s Hatha & Flow Yoga for Beginners DVD, this move tones your upper and lower body, while loosening up your hips and hamstrings.
What it does
This hard-body twist on a classic yoga pose builds strength in the core, chest, arms and shoulders and leaves you feeling long and limber.
How to do it
Start with feet together on a yoga mat and place your hands down on the mat in front of you. Shift your hips up and back until you are in an inverted “V” position. Raise your right leg in the air behind you. Inhale as you round your back and bring your right knee in, close to your nose, moving your shoulders directly above your hands. Exhale as you shift your body back into the downward dog “V” and shoot your leg out behind you. Repeat.
How much
Beginners should start out with 10 repetitions on each side and work up to as many as 30 total.
