Must Love Dogs...

Even Downward Facing ones.

Downward Facing Dog is the quintessential yoga pose. It is one of the first few poses called in a practice, and you return to it time and time again. For the longest time, I hated my Dog.

Hate is a strong word, but I cannot lessen the feeling I had to DFD because it would dredge up so much anger and anxiety in me. I could get my hands and feet in the right position, but instead of looking like an upside down "V" I was a "U" at best. When I concentrated in straightening my back, I would cave in my shoulders, resembling a calligraphic "V". I'd listen to the directives, "Hands shoulder width distance, feet hip width distance, tilt your tailbone to the sky, contract your navel to your spine, press your thighs back and arms forward, let your shoulders run down your back, and relax." RELAX?!?!? Are you kidding me? My legs are tight, my shoulders ache, and my wrists are in pain. I'll relax when you call the next pose!

I've had a lot of face time with DFD, seeing that it is called so often within a practice. While I still can't master the pose, I accept where I am in my dog- calligraphy and all. I appreciate all the lessons of patience it has taught me, and surely will continue to teach me. There are even times, after a challenging sequence, that I find myself rejoicing in DFD.

It is not only on my mat that I get to practice the lessons of DFD. Out in the real world, I try to steer clear of feelings of anger and anxiety, and instead practice patience and acceptance. With a traffic jam, with a negative person, with a long line. Just as in the pose, breaking out of negative thinking creates reason for rejoice. Rejoicing and RELAXING. Though it will never surpass Child's Pose as my all time favorite, Downward Facing Dog holds a special place in my heart...and my hamstrings.