Sometimes it's not what's right or wrong but what feels better and is more beneficial. Here's the thing: All yoga is therapeutic or should be - that's why it's called yoga! A long-term friend and yogi came early to class a few weeks ago and asked me to demonstrate down dog. He'd noticed a subtle adjustment that I always cue but may not be heard or understood. Somatic (body) awareness can be challenging because we have become locked into habits and get caught up with ego. We spend lots of time "thinking" rather than "feeling". In the first variation, I come into the pose from a duck - bum posture with my ribs flaring. It's barely noticeable perhaps, but have a look and you will see that I cannot focus on my navel - the "drishti" (focus point) for this pose. I'm also putting immense pressure on my shoulders and spine because my rib cage is literally dangling forward meaning I've lost all equilibrium with my weight distribution - weight distribution is the key with most poses. Because "duck bum" is such a common postural habit these days due to our modern, tight hip flexors, it's not preferable to exaggerate it here in the yoga room. In the second variation, I round out my back first. Immediately, my ribs move in and the muscles at the base of the sternum engage as do the abs. This also helps me to breathe efficiently since I have no need to consciously tense anything. If I bring my chin in and push my sitting bones to my heels, the correct drishti point is available, my shoulders feel great and my whole spine is lengthened rather than squished. 💙💚 #yoga #yogapose #downdog #ardhomukhavrksasana #yogalife #yogalifestyle #yogaphilosophy #niyama #healthylife #healthymind #yogini #namaste #thisiskundalini #drishti #yogaeverydamnday #yogaeveryday #itsnotaboutthepose #instayoga #yogaroom #yogatips (at Yogasphere at One Mile, Port Stephens)