Can anyone recommend something to ease shoulder tension? I was trying to do yoga yesterday and my shoulders were to tense and stiff that I couldn’t do a reverse table pose (I hope that’s the right name)
Blessings,
I posted this little video sharing some of the things i do when i have shoulder tension. I hope it helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTnqsDc1HlU&feature=youtu.be
One thing to keep in mind is to not stress yourself, don’t force it. Relax, do simple, easy movements to get the energy flowing.
Blessings Be
Suba
Hi Jen,
You’ve used a very general term and so my reply may follow suit. The release for the deltoids (shoulders) has one course while the release for the neck (levators, scm, and scalenes) and the upper back (rhomboids, latisimus dorsi) have another.
Classically poses like garudasana and gomukhasana are staples for this sort of issue. I’d suggest doing them in virasana or sukhasana so you can focus on the movements of the shoulder blades.
In addition prep for Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) will open the frontal deltoids and the pec minor.
More therapeutically there is a series or sequence using a belt to release the deeper knots and of course Sirsasana between two chairs will target adhesions in the levators. However this should not be done at all by pregnant students.
I very much enjoyed Suba’s video and have often found a series moving the head around the three axes (x, y, z) to be beneficial. This too is my experience with the shoulder rolling - both forward, both backward, alternating forward, alternating backward, then moving them in the opposite direction (one forward while the other backward).
Topically I’d suggest applying something to penetrate the muscle tissue. Some suggestions would be Maha Vishgarbha oil, sunbreeze oil, Chinese liniment like Zheng Gu Shui. etc. Please stay hydrated and get enough movement in your day so that the lymphatic system can properly function.
Of course the best approach is to deal with what arises when it arises so as not to have it dwell in the muscle
Gordon
Blessings Jenwales,
During my yoga ritual, well, right now, I found myself doing another neck sequence to help break up some energy blocks going on between my heart and throat chakras and I thought of you.
I recorded the sequence and posted it on YouTube for you: https://youtu.be/HBYLS76-bRU
The sequence begins at the 1:00 marker.
I hope it helps.
Be Blessed
Suba
Have you thought about giving yourself a massage before doing yoga? Help relax and losing the muscles before you really stretch on them with yoga. Ive found it to be helpful.