What is the Sanskrit name for Upward Facing Dog, also called Urdhva Mukha Svanasana?

• A. Downward Dog
• B. Upward Facing Dog
• C. Side Plank
• D. Chaturanga Dandasana

Answer: (B)

In yoga, Upward Facing Dog is called Urdhva Mukha Svanasana. Here, Urdhva means upward, Mukha means face, and Svanasana is dog pose, so the name literally describes the pose as the upward-facing dog. In this asana the chest and the thighs lift off the floor, the arms are straight, and the shoulders draw back and down, creating a gentle backbend that follows from a From a position like Chaturanga in many sequences. It’s different from Downward Facing Dog, which is Adho Mukha Svanasana and forms an inverted V with the hips lifted and the heels reaching toward the mat. Side Plank is a balance on one arm, known as Vasisthasana, not a backbend. Chaturanga Dandasana is the Four-Limbed Staff Pose, a strength pose that precedes the upward-facing backbend but is not the backbend itself. So the Sanskrit name for Upward Facing Dog is Urdhva Mukha Svanasana.