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Ask the expert |
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Strap-happy shoulder
stretches |
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By Alison
Finney | | |
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How can I instantly soothe my aching
shoulders and upper chest muscles?
This
exercise is great for swimmers or anyone with tight upper-body
muscles. Youll need a yoga strap or a substitute such as a
dog leash, a belt or a necktie.
With your hands
placed a wide -- but comfortable -- distance apart, hold
opposite ends of the strap behind your
back.
Keeping your elbows straight, inhale and
raise your arms up and over your head to the front of your
body.
In the same way, exhale while your arms
reach back over your head toward your starting position.
Experiment with how far apart you place your hands. The closer
they are, the more challenging it becomes to lift your
arms.
Repeat, raising and lowering the strap 10
times, then rest. Repeat each day, bringing your hands closer
together over time.
Stretching out your shoulders and
pectoral muscles (across the front of your chest) improves
circulation and helps to correct a rounded back and
shoulders.
Click
here to read about 4 moves for a better back.
Alison Finney is a certified hatha and kundalini
yoga teacher in Ottawa. She is registered with the Yoga
Alliance and the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers
Association and is the founder of PranaShanti, a health and
yoga resource. For more information, visit www.pranashanti.com.
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