shoulderstretch

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Shoulder Stretches

Shoulders can be stretched in several ways, here are some stretches that can be done standing or sitting at a desk. This first exercise the posterior deltoid muscle, as well as the triceps muscle. First, bring right hand to left shoulder, with elbow elevated, as in picture on left below. Then, using your left palm, press into the right elbow, stretching the shoulder, as in the picture on the right. Hold for a few moments. Repeat with the arms in the opposite positions.

Our next shoulder stretch involves the muscles under the arm. First, bring your arm over your head, as in the picture on left. Then, gently hold your elevated elbow with the opposite hand, and pull towards the opposite side. as in the picture on right. Hold for a few moments, then repeat on other side.

Here's a stretch to open up the front of both shoulders at once. First, interlock your fingers behind your back, with your elbows bent. Your neck should be straight and relaxed. This is shown in the picture on left. Then, gently straighten your elbows and stretch in front of your shoulders. Do not get out of this position quickly. Hold for a few moments. This posture helps to undo the shoulder forward slumping position people get over time, due to job, stress, poor posture, etc. Note the chin is tucked, not jutting. Contrast the position of the fronts of the shoulders in both photos.

Here's a nice exercise to relax the shoulders. Start with the shoulders down, as in the picture on the left. Then bring the shoulders up towards the ears, as in the photo in the middle.. Hold this posture for a count of three, then drop the shoulders straight down, by letting go of the tension that you held the shoulders with in the first picture. Ahh, doesn't that feel good?