Urdhva Mukha Svanasana improves posture and strengthens spine, arms and wrists. This
asana stretches chest, lungs, shoulders and abdomen. This process firms the buttocks and stimulates abdominal organs. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana also relieves mild depression, fatigue and sciatica.
Bhujangasana and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana are Urdhva Mukha Svanasana's preparatory poses. Subsequent poses include Backbends, Tadasana and Virasana.
In Sanskrit, 'urdhva' means 'upward,' 'mukha' means 'face,' and 'svana' means 'dog.' Urdhva Mukha Svanasana is referred as 'upward facing dog posture.'
