Adho – downward, Mukha – face, Svana – dog, Asana – Posture

There is a difference between practicing downward facing do with two feet apart versus feet together.

When we practice the posture with feet together, the name of it is Parvatasana.

Adho Mukha Svanasana is practiced with feet hip-width distance.

Parvatasana is practiced with both legs together.

Tips to know who is who ?

Very easy. Just watch a dog. Look at its hind legs. Is it possible for the dog to bring both legs together while stretching down?

The answer is no.

The dog is able to bring both legs together while laying down, the pelvis will be moving in translation but naturally.

However, anatomically speaking when the dog is on its four paws, he can’t bring its legs together. Same things with cats.

Therefore when you are looking for the name of your asana while teaching, just thing about the dog. If you are teaching Adho Mukha Svanasana, ask your students to keep legs hip width distance.

There is another asana where both legs are together and it is called as Parvatasana.

Parvata – Mountain, Asana – Posture

As it was not confusing enough, Parvatasana is also a sitting posture:

Parvatasana BKS Iyengar

Parvatasana – BKS Iyengar

 

Also the meaning of Parvatasana is the « mountain pose », as well Tadasana is known as the mountain pose.

Therefore I think it is better to be able to make the difference between these two asanas.

For sure, Adho Mukha Svanasana is done both legs apart, without arching the lower back, pushing/pressing hands against the floor, gliding the shoulders blade down along the spine, if possible heels on the floor, lengthening the back from the cervical to the coccyx.

Parvatasana, both legs together is generally practiced during the Hatha Yoga Suraya Namaskara.

Parvatasana, is NOT practiced in the Suraya Namaskara of the Ashtanga Yoga Vinyasa.

However you can create your own Sun Salutation with Parvatasana feet together, but do not confuse your students while teaching it, call it as Parvatasana.

Now you might ask why one is both legs and the other one is feet apart.

Well there is no reason. The only things to be aware of is that there is one asana named as Adho Mukha Svanasana and another one named as Parvatasana.

We can’t mixed up oil and vinegar, we should not mixed Parvatasana versus Adho Mukha Svanasana 🙂

Have a good day!

Namaste,