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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. You’ll 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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