This week, we return to the Yoga in Sanskrit. Let's explore upward facing dog, or Urdvha Mukha Svanasana (erd-vah moo-kah shvah-nah-sah-nah) and its cousin, Bhujangasana (boo-jahn-gah-sah-nah), or cobra pose.

Upward facing dog usually follows low push-up in the sun salutation sequences. It is a backbend and chest opener which invigorates and energizes the core of the body, encourages extension through the neck and chest, while warming the arms and grounding the hands. 

Imagine yourself here on the edge of this lake. You have all day to spend here and you are trying to decide what to do next. How do you know whether you want to stay here at the edge, take a swim, or go to the other side? If you want to go to the other side, how do you get there? Do you go straight across, or go around the edge? If you want to take a swim, how long do you stay and what comes next when you're done?