Because of its funny name, the Downward Facing Dog pose is one of the most well-known yoga postures. Even people who have never done yoga recognize it. You can find Downward Facing Dog in most yoga styles, which means you’ll see it in most yoga classes.

One of the reasons it’s so common is that Downward Facing Dog is an excellent posture for transitioning from one pose to another. It’s used so frequently that it’s considered a foundational pose in our modern yoga practice. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you’ve struggled with Downward Facing Dog or find the posture uncomfortable, read on to learn more.