Downward Dog with Leg Lift Workout

OUR WORKOUTS ARE PUT TOGETHER BY SPECIALISTS TO HELP YOU GET ACTIVE AND STAY INJURY-FREE


Searching for an exercise to strengthen and stretch your core, upper, and lower body? Add Downward Dog Leg Lifts to your workout.

Benefits of doing the Downward Dog with Leg Lift

The Downward Facing Dog is a Yoga staple with many variants and benefits. The traditional pose (the inverted v) strengthens the arms, shoulders, back, and core while stretching the calves, glutes, and hamstrings. 

The Downward Dog with Leg Lift turns the traditional pose into a dynamic stretch that works the glutes and hamstrings. 

 

How to do the Downward Dog with Leg Lift 

The traditional Downward-Facing Dog is your starting position for this stretch. If you’re unsure how to do this pose, here are our instructions: 

  1. Start in a high plank position on a yoga mat with your hands flat, your fingers spread, and your arms outstretched. 
  2. Slowly push your butt back until your body forms an inverted V shape. You should keep your spine neutral and legs straight. Your head should be between your arms. 
  3. Ideally, your heels should be touching the floor. If you’re unable to do this due to muscle tension in the calf or as a byproduct of your unique ankle anatomy, you can use a yoga block for your heel to press into. 

 

Now for the leg lift. 

  1. While keeping your hips square, raise one leg until it aligns with your back, head, and arms. Keep a slight bend in your knees to prevent injury. 
  2. Hold the pose for 1-2 breaths, then lower your leg while shifting your torso forward until you’re almost back in the plank position.
  3. Press into the mat and shift your torso to Downward Dog. Engage your core, stretch your back and neck. Lift your leg. 
  4. Repeat with the same leg for 3-5 reps, depending on physical endurance, then switch to the opposite leg for 3-5 reps.

 

Support your Downward Dog with Leg Lift

To help, Bauerfeind’s Sports Achilles Support provides extra stabilisation without reducing flexibility to execute this exercise properly.

  • Compression reduces the rate of muscle fatigue 
  • It improves your awareness of how your body moves throughout the stretch
  • And it helps protect the ankle joint from harm 

The ankle brace will boost blood flow to the Achilles tendon, helping it stay loose and relaxed through the stretch. Achilles pads work to activate the muscles supporting the tendon for extra protection.

 

If you require assistance selecting the right product for your needs or wearing the brace, call us on 098015660 or contact us via live chat.

Do you have private health? Most private health extras will cover Bauerfeind Products. Check to see if yours is included. Bauerfeind Private Health Insurance Inquiry.  

     

    About Olympic Gold Medalist Thomas Roehler:

    Thomas Roehler is a professional track and field athlete competing in the javelin throw. He is a 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist with a personal best of 93.90 m. With a passion for fitness, Thomas is showing us some of his favourite exercises to start the year with healthy habits and achieve your goals, whether you are just getting started or have been working out for a long time.

     

     

    This information is provided for general information purposes and should not be relied on as a substitute for medical advice, evaluation or care from a qualified and licensed healthcare provider. The information contained here should not be considered a plan of care or physical therapy.

    Back to blog