The Top 3 Stretches to Nourish Your Shoulders (And The Bonus That Will Make You Laugh)
Workout Today, Wine Tomorrow
October 26, 2016The Number One Fitness Trend for 2017
November 16, 2016I was traveling this past week and I thought of you. Yep, I really did.
And, it was painful. Not the thought of you, the REASON I thought about you.
I was deplaning in sunny California and grabbed my computer bag and my purse and slung them over my shoulder. I felt this dull ache begin in my upper neck and continue its way down my shoulder.
That is when I remembered. That is when I thought of you.
You see, I spent 6 months rehabbing my shoulder girdle from the damage I did traveling the world with my computer bags and purses!
My doc and my massage therapist both informed me how much damage I had done, and I had better start stretching and exercising this part of my body. I was a bit taken aback and thought they must not know who they are talking to, cuz I totally work my shoulders.
But, I was only strengthening them, not STRETCHING THEM and definitely not allowing them time off by NOT throwing a computer on top of them!
So, I changed things up and started included these amazing shoulder/neck exercises for my shoulders. Thought it was time to show them a bit of tender, lovin' care :)
Then, I thought, I bet lots of peeps have this same problem. And, if they don’t travel, they probs carry a big purse. Or, if they have chillins, they carry MASSIVE diaper bags.
So, today I am sharing with you some shoulder love. And, one benefit I forgot to mention: your boobs will look bigger.
How? Performing these stretches will help you sit taller and stand straighter. And, this, totally makes your boobs look bigger. You’re welcome.
Here are your stretches!
1. The “Sit Up Straight, Kid!” Stretch
Yup, you read that right. Simply the movement of sitting up straight and rolling your shoulders back resets your shoulders to where they should be positioned. Lift your shoulders up towards your ears, move them back, and set them down. Allow your shoulder blades to pull towards each other. This stretch releases the traps and rhomboids as well as the muscles in your deltoids. Woot!
2. The “Listen to Your Shoulder” stretch.
This stretch releases the muscles in your neck and also relieves tension in your shoulders. Sit up proud and perform stretch 1 first. Then extend both arms by your side with your palms facing the floor. Then gently tilt your head to the side so your ear comes towards your shoulder. Then gently move the stretch in your neck so it is at an angle, and hold. Gently roll your head over to the other side after 10-20 seconds.
3. The “Practicing to Be a Referee” Exercise
Okay, it’s really called a rotator raise, but we prefer our name for it cuzzz that’s what it looks like when you perform it! This exercise can be done with no weight, or a very small dumbbell. It works the small muscle group called your rotators and will strengthen them preventing injury. Take your arms by your side with a 90 degree bend in both elbows. Open up your arms so your hands face the ground, and your elbows are in line with your shoulder. Then rotate your arms open as if you are flexing and showing off your biceps to someone. Then rotate your arms back down so your hands face the floor again, and then bring your elbows into your torso.
Perform these stretches for 30 seconds each, or if done multiple times 10-20 seconds. By stretching the muscles and strengthening them, you will decrease your risk of injury, and help you to feel healthy and well. Woot!
If you found this to be helpful, we would love it if you would share it with your friends.
Now get out there, and keep going for your goals one step at a time. Invest in yourself!
Hoo-Aah!
The BCC Team
Yup, you read that right. Simply the movement of sitting up straight and rolling your shoulders back resets your shoulders to where they should be positioned. Lift your shoulders up towards your ears, move them back, and set them down. Allow your shoulder blades to pull towards each other. This stretch releases the traps and rhomboids as well as the muscles in your deltoids. Woot!
2. The “Listen to Your Shoulder” stretch.
This stretch releases the muscles in your neck and also relieves tension in your shoulders. Sit up proud and perform stretch 1 first. Then extend both arms by your side with your palms facing the floor. Then gently tilt your head to the side so your ear comes towards your shoulder. Then gently move the stretch in your neck so it is at an angle, and hold. Gently roll your head over to the other side after 10-20 seconds.
3. The “Practicing to Be a Referee” Exercise
Okay, it’s really called a rotator raise, but we prefer our name for it cuzzz that’s what it looks like when you perform it! This exercise can be done with no weight, or a very small dumbbell. It works the small muscle group called your rotators and will strengthen them preventing injury. Take your arms by your side with a 90 degree bend in both elbows. Open up your arms so your hands face the ground, and your elbows are in line with your shoulder. Then rotate your arms open as if you are flexing and showing off your biceps to someone. Then rotate your arms back down so your hands face the floor again, and then bring your elbows into your torso.
Perform these stretches for 30 seconds each, or if done multiple times 10-20 seconds. By stretching the muscles and strengthening them, you will decrease your risk of injury, and help you to feel healthy and well. Woot!
