Happy Shoulders

I just had a couple of weeks off teaching yoga.  I did a reasonably strong yoga practice at home most days.  I walked each morning or evening.  I even went to the beach for three days.  But at the end of my break I noticed my shoulders felt tighter than usual.  This first week back teaching, a student asked, “Can we do some shoulder stuff?  My shoulders are so stressed.”

I led a series of very gentle movements borrowed from the Feldenkrais Method.  Next we played with a few easy, self-massage movements.  Finally I talked us through more traditional neck stretches.  “Mmmm,” were the responses.

After class, several students said how relaxed their shoulders were.  I noticed my shoulders felt better too.  I took a nice deep breathe and felt the centered pleasure of contentment and relaxed ease.  I realized how much my shoulders had missed the simple series I often led in class.

The shoulder series we practice

~increases circulation, mobility, and flexibility

~releases tension, and discomfort

~improves posture

~facilitates deeper breathing

~helps prevent frozen shoulder

~ increases the relaxation response and thereby increases wellness

~stimulates “happy” brain chemicals to flood our body

~perhaps improves our love lives!

No matter how accomplished you become at sun salutations, warrior poses, handstands or cobras, an array of slow, mindful, meditative movements and gentle stretches can be a powerful antidote to the stresses of everyday life.  Go on! Try some…move those shoulders nice and slowly, playfully, take some luxurious deep breathes; add a few nice, noisy sighs….and make your shoulders happy again.