“Education is hanging around until you’ve caught on.”
Robert Frost
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Could you be stuck in a problem? Maybe you’ve got a persistent blasted headache? If you resonate with any of these concerns, have I got a yoga stretch for you! Just pull up a sturdy chair and here we go.
Stand behind the chair. Place your hands on the top of the backrest Space your hands about shoulders width apart. If you don’t have a chair, place your hands flat against a wall at chest level.
With your hands holding the top of the chair or resting flat against the wall, take a giant step back. As you exhale slowly bend forward with a flat back. Bend your knees so that the back remains supple. As you bend your knees, feel your tailbone lifting. If your shoulders hurt, bend your elbows. Lengthen your spine letting your head relax down then slowly bring your neck in line with the spine. Your head, shoulders, back hang at a right angle to the floor. Breathe deeply here for several breaths.
As you breathe, let your breath caress your shoulders. Watch as the tensions fall away and the space between your shoulder blades open. Hang out here as long as possible. Be sure to move and jostle a bit as you hang to help the muscles relax and release. It’s important not to get stuck in the stretch, but rather feel like there’s room left to stretch a bit further. Envision your body loose and flowing. Don’t push, just hang out.
When you’re ready, step back up and straighten your body with chest open and shoulders down away from your ears. Breathe deeply.
For those of you who are familiar with yoga poses, this is a standing version of Downward Dog. Not only does this simple stretch release tensions in the shoulders and neck, it also helps to revive the body to make you ready for a fresh new outlook on life.
As the day moves along and you find yourself shouldering more and more responsibilities, turn to this simple stretch often. And don’t hesitate to share it with others too. For as tough as your times may certainly be, a finer day is just a stretch away.
