Do you ever get tightness in the mid to upper back? Or are you feeling a bit too round shouldered?
Take 5 minutes out of your day to do this effective chest stretch. It's a great self-care strategy to look after your posture. Although it is a favourite on the pilates reformer, it is very versatile. All you need is a desk, a benchtop or something at roughly hip hip height to put your hands on. If you are lucky enough to have a reformer at home, put on a light to medium spring, push the carriage out so that the knees are underneath the hips and bring your chest to the floor. Click here for a video of the Chest Stretch.
Why does the chest stretch feel so good?
When you open up the chest and front of the shoulders you are effectively taking your thoracic spine into extension. This is a position we don't find ourselves in regularly. We tend to be more flexed (rounded) in the spine in daily life. We drive, sit at desks and laptops and this encourages a more rounded back posture leading to tightness in the shoulders, pecs and neck muscles. It's quite the relief when we reverse that position.
Mini-challenge
Try this stretch once or twice a day for 7 days and reflect on how you feel at the end.
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