My most read blog post is “Help! I Hate Downward Facing Dog!” and judging from the search terms people use to get there, I’ve touched a nerve. If you’ve ever thought “I want to enjoy yoga, but I just can’t do some of these poses!” – you’re not alone.
Why Downward Facing Dog Can Make it Hard to Enjoy Yoga
Downward Facing Dog pose shows up in so many yoga classes, often multiple times. And yet it’s not necessarily a pose that helps people enjoy yoga – especially if it feels awkward or painful.
Why is that? Because it demands mobility at hips, shoulders, and ankles that we don’t need in most other areas of our lives – and which many people lack. It requires you to bear weight on your hands. And some of the common cues don’t make sense for the way humans move.
Sound like you? Don’t give up yet, there are plenty of ways to work with your body, not against it, to help you enjoy your yoga practice more.
4 Questions to Help You Enjoy Yoga (Especially the Hard Poses)
As a yoga therapist, I care far less about how a pose looks and far more about how it feels in your body. If you want to enjoy yoga more, these are the kinds of questions I encourage my clients to ask themselves in any pose, whether it’s Downward Facing Dog or an entirely different pose.
- What’s moving well? Notice the areas of your body where you feel ease and flow. This assesses the fluidity and ease of movement in your body, to identify your areas of strength and flexibility.
- What’s moving that doesn’t have to be? Sometimes unnecessary tension shows up in unexpected places. When you release effort where it’s not needed, your movements feel more natural — making it easier to enjoy yoga instead of forcing your way through it.
- What’s not moving well that could help this pose feel better? We’ll investigate areas of stiffness or discomfort in your body. Gentle tweaks or modifications here can make a world of difference and help you start to enjoy yoga in a way that’s truly supportive of your body.
- How can I work with the movements this pose requires in a way that works for my body and feels good? Tailoring your approach to each yoga pose, and honoring your body’s unique needs helps to cultivate a sense of comfort and alignment in your yoga practice.
Why Enjoying Yoga Matters More Than “Doing It Right”
In the video below, I explain a how to do a better hip hinge, which is an important foundational skill for the lower body portion of Downward Facing Dog Pose, as well as other yoga poses. This isn’t about perfect alignment. It’s about finding ways to move that feel good so you can truly enjoy yoga without frustration.
Personally, as a yoga therapist I’m not interested in alignment (how your body is positioned in the pose). Rather, I’m interested in how the pose feels, and how people are moving as they come in (and out) of it. My goal isn’t for you to look like a yoga model. My goal is to help you enjoy yoga by making it accessible, comfortable, and relevant to your body.
When you approach your practice with curiosity and kindness — asking questions like the ones above — you’re far more likely to create a practice you can stick with. And one you actually look forward to.
So whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been practicing for years, it’s okay to admit when something isn’t working. Finding new ways to approach your poses can help you enjoy yoga more, stay consistent, and get the most out of your time on the mat.
If you’re curious to explore this further, I’m always here to help.
