Speaking of shoulder stretches, the arm position from garuda or eagle pose is an easy way to stretch your shoulders and upper back – even while you’re sitting at the desk, in front of the TV or on the ferry.
- While sitting or standing, reach your arms out to the sides palms down.
- Then bring your right arm over your left and give yourself a hug by grabbing your shoulders. You may get enough stretch just pausing here.
- For a deeper stretch, keep your elbows as they are and bring the backs of your hands together. Gently squeeze the back of your arms together and lightly lift your elbows up.
- Keep relaxing your shoulders down away from your ears.
- For a deeper stretch still, bring the thumb of the bottom hand towards your face and then reach the fingers of the bottom hand up to catch the palm of your top hand.
- Take a few breaths in whichever vary suits your shoulders. Then release the hands, stretch the arms all the way and ease the shoulders down.
- Then switch to the other side.
Arm stretch in eagle pose
