shoulder

[justwannabe]

to the gurus out there, what are some good postures to loosen up the shoulder/neck area. I know of a few I was just wanting some ideas for more
thanks
Neil

[InnerAthlete]

Which do you already know and use Neil? I'd like to avoid stating the obvious to you.

[justwannabe]

well I know things like cobra, wheel pose, bridge, etc. are poses that open the shoulders. I also do shoulder shrugs but I am still feeling a lot of tension in the shoulder/neck area. thanks IA
Neil

[kidsan]

Originally Posted by justwannabe

but I am still feeling a lot of tension in the shoulder/neck area. thanks IA
Neil

Hi...
How are your shoulders as you sit reading this reply? Are they soft and relaxed or up around your ears? If, like me, they are often not really relaxed then i would say that you can do all the yoga poses for shoulders that are in the book but if you really want to help ease the pain and tension, you have to start looking at the mind.

The shoulders are really the main area in the body in which we can hold tension and i guess it's a question of just trying to be aware of this holding and to see if you can let go a little.

Actually, one thing i often say is that the 1st and most important step is the awareness. You don't have to rush into action, into trying to release. Just try to be really aware of the holding and how that makes you feel...this may magically result in letting go, all by itself!

Good luck....Kieran

[justwannabe]

thanks for your reply, awareness is very important. One of the techniques that I have incorperated into my practice is while physically doing the posture also telling myself mentally of the posture and lettign the minds eye see it. If you can see it you can be it.
thanks agian for the good thought
My best
Neil

[InnerAthlete]

Thanks for that fill-in Neil.
Please do not confuse those poses which mandate shoulder opening with those that create it.
Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel) requires shoulder opening it does not primarily provide it. Though for those bodies that have enough to fully come into the pose in integrity there may be some additional shoulder benefit.

I don't think I'd particularly advocate shoulder shrugging for the goal you state. That movement is merely elevating and depressing the shoulder blades.

You may find some benefit with seated Garudasana and Gomukhasana. Additionally engaging the serratus anterior in Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog), Phalankasana (plank), Sirsasana (headstand) and the two aforementioned poses will release the neck. Of course the lack of use of the serratus in the same poses will do you no good whatsoever - thus the importance of a teacher which I understand you will not have.

[justwannabe]

hey IA,
thanks
I do do have a teacher but over the summer I will be traveling quite a bit. While having a teacher I will continue to venture out on my own to look for some answers myself and on some things I will check in with my teacher. On tuesday I discussed some stuff with him and told him of my current routine and he liked the structure and lay out of it and he modified a couple things, he replaced a mantra I was using with one he thought would be more effective and benificial for my current situation and he also added a pranayama for my particular situation. I am meeting with someone tomorrow from the same ashram to get my dosha more in balance in regards to diet and daily routines. So Mr. Neil who used to be anti teacher anti guru is now learning the art of surrender I wrote down your suggestions and will be looking into it, thanks again.
well today is my last hours of work for the summer, so I may not see you guys on the forum for a while, my goal is to go without the computer for teh whole summmer. but who knows I may check in from time to time

all my best
Neil