Those days when you find yourself stuck behind a desk for too many hours, on a long drive in the car or doing too much forward bending work that leaves your neck and shoulders achy; try this quick remedy for chronic neck & shoulder postural strain.
The yoga pose commonly called “Chest Opener” is a great way to relieve the strain and stress of poor upper body posture. If you spend all day in front of a computer, driving, sitting at a desk; the chances are high that at times you end up with tension, soreness, even pain, in your neck, shoulders and upper back. The Chest Opener is a quick and easy way to undo much of that stress in the upper body.
- Start by standing with feet a hips-width apart.
- Clasp your hands behind your back, interlacing the fingers.
- Straighten the elbows and begin to lift the hands away from your hips.
- Take care to keep your spine straight and your head reaching up.
- Once you’ve found a stretch in your shoulders, hold in that position for 5 full, deep breaths.
- Release.
This Chest Opener pose stretches out the pecs and the deltoids, opens up the upper intercostals and tones the rhomboids; all of which are essential muscular positions for maintaining good posture.
For best results, do this stretch 3-4 times per day; it works especially well at the end of the day and at the end of any long stretches of work in front of the computer or steering wheel.
Simply adding a bit more stretching and a few more deep breaths into your daily life can make all the difference between feeling hunched over, stressed and achy; or feeling spacious, vibrant and healthy!ybe e
Suzanne Andrew, Owner & LMT at Island Massage Therapy and Try Thai Yoga Massage. Practicing energywork and bodywork since 1999, Suzanne is a Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist in Florida. (MA51338, MM31363) www.myislandmassage.com, www.TryThaiYogaMassage.com
