Surgery the next day introduced 12 screws and an 8-inch metal plate into my body.
An old friend of mine quipped: Won’t this affect yourDownward Dog?
The thought had certainly crossed my mind.
If I didnt keep my rotator cuff moving, it could freeze.
Here are eight of my favorite shoulder and chest openers.
Simply lay back in Savasana with your feet outstretched and splayed open.
Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
This pose stretches the rhomboids, the muscles between your shoulder blades.
The wrapping is beneficial to try with other poses like Warrior I, Crescent Lunge and Pyramid.
Wrap your left leg over your right, and right arm over your left.
Squeeze your inner thighs together as your press your palms together.
Think about drawing your shoulder blades down.
Reverse Prayer (Parsva Anjali Mudra)
This one really opens up the chest.
Stretch your arms out to either side and reach them behind you.
Allow your palms to find one another in a prayer position, fingertips pointing upward.
Keep opening through your chest and drawing your shoulders back.
From Table (Bharmanasana), slide your arms forward.
Keep your tail in the air, above your knees.
Be sure to warm up withBridge Pose(Setu Bandha Sarvangasana) and press up from the hips first.
Just remember to breathe and relax when you’re upside down.
Side Plank (Vasisthasana)
This excellent pose is a great way to strengthen the arms and shoulders.
Its also a lot easier than Handstand!
From Plank Pose, shift your weight into one hand an roll your whole body open to the side.
Stack your hips, knees, and ankles vertically on top of each other.
Your shoulders, hips and ankles should be in one straight line.
Reach your top arm straight up, forming a line from your planted wrist through your top fingers.
Extend your opposite arm along the floor beneath your ear and parallel to your torso.
Bend the elbow to gently rest the side of your head in your palm.
Work toward balancing your body in one straight line, from head to feet.
Rotate your top leg so your toes point up toward the ceiling.
Stretch your legs long behind you and rest your palms under your jaw.
Send the elbows out slightly past your shoulders.
Breaking my arm was a traumatic experience.
