30/06/2018
SHOULDER ALIGNMENT
Typing, driving, cooking, gardening: almost everything we do encourages us to slide our shoulder blades up our backs and roll them forward. Over time, that can lead to stiff shoulders, sore upper backs and neck pain.
You can reverse this action, and move your shoulders back and down, with the help of one eight-foot yoga strap – or two shorter straps tied together.
First, take the strap behind your back, as close to your armpits as possible. It helps to bend forward and let gravity assist.
You want the strap to catch the bottom edge of your shoulder blades, or slightly higher. Hold one side of the strap in each hand and balance the length so there’s an equal amount on the right and left sides.
Now take each strap over its own shoulder, letting each end hang down your back. Adjust it so the strap across your back and the straps over your shoulders feel snug.
Then cross the straps behind your back.
Pull down on the straps, moving your hands towards the floor.
When you pull down, you should feel your shoulder blades move down your back, and from their bottom edges, press forward into your rib cage.
If the sensation isn’t like being tucked into a Victorian shoulder brace, the strap isn’t tight enough, or it’s too high in your back.
Now move your front ribs away from your tee shirt, towards the back of your body, but keep the width and lift of your shoulders.
Once you have the strap in place, stand in Tadasana (mountain pose). Move the tops of your thighs back. Bring your weight into your heels. Lift your chest, and enjoy the feeling of open and supported shoulders.
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