Prana Journal: News flash -- add inches to your reach

Friday, May 06, 2005

News flash -- add inches to your reach

I discovered an ingenious way to add (what seems like) two inches to my reach -- loosen up my shoulders. I've been concentrating on doing some simple routines over the past 2-3 weeks to increase flexibility in my shoulders, and it's had a ripple effect across my practice and my torso. Suddenly, I find it much easier to reach the floor in forward bends or similar poses. Camel (Ustrasana) becomes easier to get into, rather than blind backward flaying in search of my heels. It also translates into longer flanks, because the farther your shoulders rise, the more your side can stretch.

I also discovered that once your shoulders are loose, it is much easier to move your shoulder blades together and down your back -- I can actually feel them float down as I relax. I now realize that although I heard my instructors to manipulate my shoulder blades, I hadn't the slightest idea of what I was doing.

All this softening means that it's easier to open my chest more deeply. I start hearing cartilage popping and creaking.

And when I say "discover," I am speaking facetiously.

¶ 2:45 PM

Comments:

hey dad, i thought that when you heard cartilage "popping and creaking" it might be a bad thing... i heard it today after my harmony flow class tonight. i can still hear it on my neck when i turn my head... i am just wondering if you know how good or bad it is... i guess, i should get down to some research... today was my forth class since sunday... gotta get to bed and get ready for the 9 am class tomorrow...

# posted by Esteffanny : 11:06 PM

Hey Michael, are you willing to share with us what these shoulder routines actually are? I have a big issue with tight shoulders too, from rock climbing and (more, probably) working hunched over desks.

I'll start: one useful shoulder opener I've picked up recently is lying on your stomach with forearms and hands flat on the wall, elbows pressed into the floor-wall angle. Keep your hands apart as much as possible (I use a foam block) and try to bring your armpits towards (ha!) the floor. Basically a lying-down pincha mayurasana / peacock feather / forearm stand.

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: Name: Michael Smith; Location: Rockville, Maryland, United States

I thrive when exploring new realms of knowledge and experience.

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"The eye through which I see God is the same eye through which God sees me; my eye and God's eye are one eye. One seeing, one knowing, one love."
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