Low Cobra imprints correct body alignment and builds strength in the muscles along your spine so you can safely enter deeper backbends. Once you have mastered Low Cobra, you may opt for Upward Facing Dog aka Urdvha Mukha Svanasana instead of Low Cobra at times in your Sun Salutations and Vinyasas. How to get into the pose: From Low Cobra, straighten your arms. Make sure, that your wrists are right underneath your shoulders, with your palms and fingers spread wide and the creases of your wrists parallel to the short end of your mat. Root down firmly through the inner edges of your hands as you draw the outer upper arms back. Work the bottom tips of your shoulderblades up and into the chest as you soften the front ribs in. Relax your shoulders away from your neck. You may also bend your elbows slightly to pull your chest through the upper arms to open your heart space before you restraighten the arms. Draw the pit of the abdomen up and in to support your …