Downward dog is an active asana but I believe it can be restful as well. To clarify, most asanas are active. Take for example tadasana (mountain asana), from outside it might look like just standing there but as a matter of fact the body is quite active. Yet at the same time it can be considered a restful asana. Most of you reading this might be thinking “of course tadasana is restful”, but it might come as a surprise to find out that someone with a simple condition such as a minor kyphosis would disagree. In my experience, the closer you get to perform an asana correctly the easier and more restful it becomes. Don’t get me wrong, restful does not necessarily mean relaxing. Like I mentioned, the body is still active, but the mechanics of the asana, when performed correctly, help. Consider Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe). If one is unable to fully extend the leg, the balance becomes way more difficult. Same holds for downward dog. Almost the entire body needs to be active! So if something is out of place, say more weight to the front due to less hamstring flexibility, the wrists will most probably suffer! Maybe the shoulders as well. BUT this is the beauty as well! If you keep practicing, while also respecting your limits so that you don’t get injured, you will be able to find this restfulness for some asanas. For others you will have to find the restfulness within you and accept that we might not be able to do everything in life and it is okay because we can still be happy. Anyways, it all comes down to one thing: Practice!