Vinyala

Pose sheet

Bird Dog (Balancing Table Pose)

From all fours, lift one arm and the opposite leg, keeping your torso steady.

Open this pose in the 3D body

Steps

Support

Left palm and right knee, shin, and top of foot.

Enter

  1. Start on all fours; hands beneath shoulders, knees beneath hips.
  2. Ground the tops of your feet; align your head and torso.
  3. Inhale, lift your left leg horizontally, with toes pointing down.
  4. Inhale, lift your right arm horizontally, with your thumb pointing up.

Hold

  1. Push the floor away; keep your supporting scapula against your ribs.
  2. Keep your spine neutral, with hips and shoulders level.
  3. Reach your heel backward and your fingertips forward.
  4. Keep your neck aligned and your abdomen engaged as you breathe.

Exit

  1. Lower your hand and knee with control, returning to all fours.
  2. Repeat with your left arm and right leg lifted.
Breathing
Inhale as you lift each limb; breathe normally while holding.
Gaze
Look at the floor between your hands, keeping your neck aligned.

Adapt

Adaptations

  • BlanketPlace a folded blanket beneath your supporting knee.
  • One limb onlyLift only your arm or leg; keep the remaining supports grounded.
  • Lower liftLift your arm and leg less, keeping your torso steady.

Variations

  • Elbow to knee: round to connect; extend again.
  • Diagonal: open arm and leg sideways.
  • Supporting knee lifted: balance on hand and forefoot.

Signals of effort

  • Weight on one hand, with the wrist extended.
  • Direct support on one knee.
  • Opposite arm and leg suspended while you stabilize your torso.