Last week we looked at ways to strengthen the shoulders. This week I feature another pose strengthening pose that also incorporates active stretching for the shoulders.
- To get in to dolphin pose, start on your hands and knees. Bring your elbows to the floor under your shoulders.
- Interlace your fingers and then wrap your bottom pinky finger insider your hand.
- Without moving your arms, squeeze your elbows towards each other. Feel your upper back rise up to the ceiling.
- This may be strong enough, so stay here.
- If your shoulders feel ok, you can add more work, by tucking your toes under and lifting your hips up to a modified version of down dog.
- Relax your head down between your hands. Your head does not touch your hands or the floor.
- Keep persistently squeezing your arms inward.
- Stay here for a few breaths, before taking a rest and then repeating. Be sure to keep breathing.
Shoulder strength through dolpin pose (modified down dog)
