Cobra Pose vs Upward Dog
In Cobra the hips and thighs stay on the floor and the elbows stay bent; in Upward-Facing Dog the arms straighten and the thighs and hips lift off the floor, so only the hands and the tops of the feet touch the mat.
Cobra Pose Bhujangasana beginner · backbend 
Upward Dog Urdhva Mukha Svanasana intermediate · backbend How to tell them apart
| Cobra Pose | Upward Dog | |
|---|---|---|
| Hips and thighs | On the floor | Lifted off the floor |
| Arms | Elbows bent, hugging the ribs | Straight, wrists under the shoulders |
| Where it appears | Gentle backbend, often in Sun Salutation A | The vinyasa between Chaturanga and Downward Dog |
Picture drill: which one is it?
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Which pose is this?
And this one?
Which pose is this?
And this one?
Which pose is this?
And this one?
Step-by-step guides: Cobra Pose · Upward Dog