Does Anyone Have A Perfect Downward Dog?

#1 04-10-2012, 08:40 PM

I have been doing yoga since 2000 and my heels still don't completly touch the floor.Anyone have a perfect downward dog?

Belle · #2 18-10-2012, 08:36 PM

The question is wrong wrong wrong. Your downward dog is perfect for you. Yoga is not about achievement - achieving the perfect lotus or headstand but loving and accepting your body. Be kind to yourself, your body may not be designed to have heel touching ground downward dog but if you are getting the stretch, relax, enjoy the feeling. Yes - you want to push and aim further in order to ensure you are not being lazy but enjoy the stretch. And breathe.

#3 30-11-2012, 03:02 PM

There is no "perfect" asana. All asanas are endless. The point is to do what you can with concentration, proper breathing and be present in the moment. Don't go there and put goals on how you should do an asana and where you can get it in order to be perfect. Bryan Kest says for yoga asanas that if you do the best that you can, then you do it perfectly. And this is so right. Asana is only a way to prepare the body and the mind for the higher limbs of yoga (like meditation for example).

Namaste

Belle · #4 30-11-2012, 03:14 PM

Venus sorry if I was a bit over-direct. I could have been much more gentle in my approach I just get sad when I hear people wanting to do it "perfect" as a) yoga is a journey and b) what you do on any day is perfect.

#5 24-01-2013, 01:49 PM

Hi Venus,

Sometimes my heels touch the ground, sometimes they don't... however it does depend on the day, how long I've been stretching for (stretching is important to me, used to be a dancer/gymnast) and just how I feel inside my body. Sometimes when my heels don't touch the ground straight away I breathe into the asana and slowly lower my heels to the floor if I feel it's possible.