Extended Puppy Pose

Uttana means intense and Shish means Puppy in Sanskrit. As the name suggests, this pose would resemble a puppy taking an intense stretch forward with it’s entire body. Though in this pose, the stretch is intense with the body on all fours, yet the body feels relaxed and is considered a posture to relax the muscles after an intense practice of other poses related to the shoulders and the back. The arms, shoulders, and chest get the maximum stretch, while the spine is beautifully extended both upwards and downwards at the same time. This pose is mostly considered as a follow up pose, to relax the muscles and hence can be done any number of times during the yoga session.
Puppy Dog Pose is considered a base pose as puppy dog pose variations can be derived from this pose.Puppy Dog Pose helps boost energy in the body and hence can be included in flow yoga sequences.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pose Detail
- Body Position: Abdominal Down
- Difficulty: Beginners
- Joint Mobility Direction: Longitudinal Stretch
- Poses According To Their Functions: Physical Training
- Poses for Your Spine Flexibility: Poses for Your Chest Flexibility, Poses for Your Neck Flexibility
- Poses for Your Arms Flexibility: Poses for Your Shoulders Flexibility
Benefits and Contraindications
Puppy Pose lengthens and realigns the spine
Gently stretches the upper back, arms, and shoulders
Releases tension in you upper arms, shoulders, and neck
Expands your chest and opens up hips
Good preparation for backbends
Not to be done when injured at the knee and the hip. Pressure at the knees may not be comfortable while practicing this pose
Not to be done if having extremely stiff shoulders and arms. As this pose opens the shoulders, too much stiffness may make it difficult to enjoy the pose
Photo poses in different angles

Tips
You can hold this pose longer and protect your knees and lower back by placing a rolled-up blanket or bolster between your thighs and calves.
- Puppy Dog Pose Hands On Wall
- Puppy Dog Pose On Elbows
- Quarter Dog Pose
- Rabbit Pose
- Dolphin Pose Variation Knees On Floor
- Pose Dedicated To Goddess Arani
- Cat Cow Pose
- Table Top Pose
- Child Pose
- Downward Facing Dog Pose
- Sphinx Pose
- Child Pose