In Downward Facing Dog, what is the primary action of the hips?

In Downward Facing Dog, what is the primary action of the hips?

• A. Hips down and forward.
• B. Hips forward.
• C. Hips to the side.
• D. Hips up and back.

Answer: (D)

In Downward Facing Dog, the hips are moving up and back. This lift creates length along the spine and helps you ground evenly through the hands and feet. As you press the chest toward the thighs and push the hips toward the ceiling, the pelvis tilts so the sit bones rise, giving you that inverted‑V shape. This orientation protects the back, engages the hamstrings and glutes, and keeps the torso lengthened rather than collapsed. If the hips moved down and forward, the spine would round and the pose would lose length. If the hips moved forward, the pelvis would tilt anteriorly and the low back could compress. If the hips shifted to the side, the pose would become uneven. The key action is hips up and back.

In Downward Facing Dog, the hips are moving up and back. This lift creates length along the spine and helps you ground evenly through the hands and feet. As you press the chest toward the thighs and push the hips toward the ceiling, the pelvis tilts so the sit bones rise, giving you that inverted‑V shape. This orientation protects the back, engages the hamstrings and glutes, and keeps the torso lengthened rather than collapsed.

If the hips moved down and forward, the spine would round and the pose would lose length. If the hips moved forward, the pelvis would tilt anteriorly and the low back could compress. If the hips shifted to the side, the pose would become uneven. The key action is hips up and back.