# Elbows in down dog

**URL:** <https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977>\
**Category:** How do you want to grow?\
**Created:** [March 11, 2021, 9:28am UTC](https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977 "2021-03-11T09:28:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![edaksi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/community.doyogawithme.com/edaksi/32/7037_2.png) [@edaksi](https://community.doyogawithme.com/u/edaksi)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2021, 9:28am UTC](https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977/1 "2021-03-11T09:28:27Z")

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Hi everybody,  
I have a question about the position/rotation of elbows in downward facing dog.

In this asana, the “eyes” of the elbows should naturally be turned inwards, or should I put a conscious effort to rotate them toward the front of the mat? This has an effect also on the shoulder girdle. I heard this instruction in a class and I am wondering about this option since then.

Thank you and stay safe!

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**Author:** ![dmco6863](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@dmco6863](https://community.doyogawithme.com/u/dmco6863)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 2:13am UTC](https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977/2 "2021-03-12T02:13:59Z")

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I’ve often wondered about this as I am unable to straighten my arms and assume that position.

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**Author:** ![duke\_bball\_1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/community.doyogawithme.com/duke_bball_1/32/9420_2.png) [@duke\_bball\_1](https://community.doyogawithme.com/u/duke_bball_1)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:53am UTC](https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977/3 "2021-03-12T04:53:49Z")

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Hi! I found David’s tutorial on downward dog helpful when I began my practice years ago.

[https://www.doyogawithme.com/content/downward-facing-dog-pose](https://www.doyogawithme.com/content/downward-facing-dog-pose)

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**Author:** ![edaksi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/community.doyogawithme.com/edaksi/32/7037_2.png) [@edaksi](https://community.doyogawithme.com/u/edaksi)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:22am UTC](https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977/4 "2021-03-12T08:22:58Z")

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Thank you for the video! David explained it gracefully.

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**Author:** ![georgedstuart\_dywm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f14d63/32.png) [@georgedstuart\_dywm](https://community.doyogawithme.com/u/georgedstuart_dywm)\
**Post date:** [March 18, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.doyogawithme.com/t/elbows-in-down-dog/977/5 "2021-03-18T17:44:38Z")

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@ [dmco6863](https://community.doyogawithme.com/u/dmco6863), same here, due to limited shoulder mobility. I’ve found it somewhat helpful to place my hands wide, pinkies off the mat. But even so, I don’t have the flexibility required to align hands, shoulders, and hips. Down dog remains a very intense, challenging pose for me.