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07 June 2012

Yoga and Sore Shoulders

I've started going to Yoga classes again at the gym!  I have become very inflexible over the past year because I haven't been stretching at all.  And I think stretching is probably important, so I decided that I'm going to get my butt back in there.

My goal is to make it to two Yoga classes a week.  So far, I've been to three classes (one on Saturday, one on Monday, and one last night) and I can already tell that I'm getting my flexibility back again.

I've also been going to a class called body pump, and we do a lot with the bar and I've noticed my shoulders being really tight and sore.  I have found that the Eagle Pose really helps to stretch that area, and whenever I do it, it feels like I'm having someone rub my shoulders (feels good).

So if you have sore shoulders, and don't have anyone to rub them for you, try out this pose!  You can even do this pose sitting at your desk (you don't have to do the full pose with the crossed legs to get the stretch in your shoulders and upper back).



Step by Step
Stand in Tadasana. Bend your knees slightly, lift your left foot up and, balancing on your right foot, cross your left thigh over the right. Point your left toes toward the floor, press the foot back, and then hook the top of the foot behind the lower right calf. Balance on the right foot.
Stretch your arms straight forward, parallel to the floor, and spread your scapulas wide across the back of your torso. Cross the arms in front of your torso so that the right arm is above the left, then bend your elbows. Snug the right elbow into the crook of the left, and raise the forearms perpendicular to the floor. The backs of your hands should be facing each other.
Press the right hand to the right and the left hand to the left, so that the palms are now facing each other. The thumb of the right hand should pass in front of the little finger of the left. Now press the palms together (as much as is possible for you), lift your elbows up, and stretch the fingers toward the ceiling.
Stay for 15 to 30 seconds, then unwind the legs and arms and stand in Tadasana again. Repeat for the same length of time with the arms and legs reversed.


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