Melt Your Shoulder Tension

Many people (myself included) tend to take all their stress, both physical and emotional, into their upper back, shoulder and neck areas. This can lead to chronic issues such as decreased range of motion, muscle tightness and spasms or even headaches. Taking some time to stretch these areas out, will not only improve the health of those muscles, but will relieve and melt away your tension. Get on all fours, hands under your shoulders, knees under your hips, “thread” your left arm between your right arm and thigh, so your torso naturally twists and GENTLY come down onto that left shoulder. If possible, include the left side of your head and hold for 30 seconds while taking nice deep breaths. You will be controlling the intensity of the stretch by the amount of body weight you allow gravity to press down on that left side. As you feel the tension release or the tightness relax you can slowly “add” more body weight by bending the right arm further. Do the same on the other side.

Notes: Keep the abs engaged and breathe throughout. Try to come down more onto the back of your shoulder than the front and side; this will depend on how flexible you are in this area. If you have ANY shoulder, or neck issues do the easier modification.

Easier: Do this stretch standing or sitting. It’s vital to keep the shoulders pressed down your back throughout. Bring your left arm across your chest and keep the elbow straight. Using your right hand, “pull” your left arm closer across the chest. For a deeper move, turn your head as far to the left as possible (look in the opposite direction to the direction your arm is being stretched). Repeat on the other side.

Harder: The deeper you move into this stretch, the more intense it will be. Please move slowly and gently. Go no more intense than a 7 out of 10.