Ūrdhva

Upward, elevated, ascended. The directional principle of spiritual ascent in haṭha yoga. Ūrdhva represents the movement of prāṇa and consciousness toward the higher centres — from [[muladhara-chakra|muladhara]] toward [[sahasrara-chakra|sahasrara]]. Postures such as ūrdhva dhanurāsana (upward bow) and ūrdhva mukha śvānāsana (upward-facing dog) embody this vertical orientation. In the subtle body, ūrdhva is associated with the upward flow of kundalini through sushumna and the reversal of ordinary gravitation of consciousness. See [[adho-mukha]], kundalini.