Working with students at Yoga Nieuw West in the Dog pose (Adho Mukha Shvanasana).

Moving up the hips into ‘dog tilt’.

This is a powerfully rejuvenating pose that strengthens the hands, arms and upper body, opens the chest and improves the breathing. It lengthens the spinal column and increases circulation to the brain.

Do this when you need to boost your energy, so not at bedtime unless you do it slowly as a gentle pick-me-up.

Tip: Keep your elbows straight through squeezing your elbows inward and towards each other. Press your chest  towards your legs and tip your hips into dog-tilt as if your tailbone was being pulled gently upwards by an invisible hand.

Working with a student on dog pose.