Carve out time for this deep release whenever your shoulders feel restricted.
Upward Salute
Duration: 01:00
Sweep your arms skyward in upward salute to lengthen your spine and awaken your upper body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides.
- Sweep your arms out and up overhead, keeping hands shoulder-width apart.
- Reach toward the ceiling while relaxing your shoulders and gazing slightly upward.
Tips
- Ground evenly through both feet.
- Engage your core to avoid arching your lower back.
Adjustments
- Place your hands behind your head or on your hips if raising them overhead feels intense.
Chest Opener
Duration: 01:00
Open your heart space and stretch the front body with a simple yet powerful chest opener.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
- Clasp your hands behind your head and widen your elbows out to the sides.
- Gently squeeze shoulder blades together and lift your chest as you breathe in.
Tips
- Keep shoulders soft and away from your ears.
- Maintain a long spine rather than arching through the lower back.
Adjustments
- Hold a strap or towel behind your head if your hands do not quite meet comfortably.
Overhead Tricep
Duration: 01:00
Lift and bend your arm overhead to stretch your triceps and open your side body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand or sit tall and raise one arm overhead.
- Bend the elbow, bringing your hand toward the opposite shoulder blade.
- Use the other hand to gently guide the elbow toward the midline of your back while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep your torso upright and core engaged so your lower back stays supported.
- Relax the lifted shoulder away from your ear.
Adjustments
- Hold a strap between your hands if reaching the elbow feels challenging.
One Arm Hug
Duration: 01:00
Cross one arm over your chest for a sweet stretch through the shoulder and lats.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall and reach one arm straight across your body toward the opposite shoulder.
- Use the other arm to hook the elbow or forearm and pull it closer to your chest.
- Hold for a few breaths, then switch sides.
Tips
- Keep your torso upright instead of leaning.
- Relax the extended arm so the shoulder can stretch.
Adjustments
- Lower the extended arm toward your abdomen for a lighter stretch if needed.
Wall Dog
Duration: 01:00
Use a wall to mimic downward dog and stretch your shoulders, hamstrings, and spine.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand facing a wall about an arm's length away and place your hands on it at shoulder height.
- Step your feet back and keep arms and legs straight as you lower your torso toward the floor.
- Let your head hang between your arms and breathe into the stretch.
Tips
- Relax your neck and keep your spine long.
Adjustments
- Bend your knees or walk feet closer to the wall for a gentler stretch.
Forward Fold
Duration: 01:00
Dive into a forward fold with clasped hands to stretch your hamstrings and open your shoulders in one swoop.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and interlace your fingers behind your back.
- Hinge forward from your hips, letting your torso drape toward the floor.
- Reach your clasped hands overhead, allowing the stretch to travel through your shoulders.
Tips
- Relax your head and neck completely so gravity can help.
- Keep your legs straight yet soft at the knees.
Adjustments
- Hold a strap or towel between your hands if interlacing is uncomfortable.
- Bend your knees slightly if your hamstrings need more space.
Shoulder Cross
Duration: 02:00
Stretch the front of your shoulder by crossing one arm under your body and rolling into a gentle twist.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on one side with legs straight and bottom arm extended in front of you on the floor.
- Roll onto your stomach while keeping that bottom arm stretched across your chest.
- Reach the top arm overhead and place the hand on the floor for support, feeling the front of the shoulder open.
Tips
- Let the bottom arm stay relaxed against the floor so the stretch targets the shoulder.
Adjustments
- Limit how far you roll onto your stomach if the stretch feels intense.
Shoulder Opener
Duration: 02:00
Roll from your belly into a cross-body stretch to open tight shoulders and chest muscles.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie face down with arms extended out to the sides.
- Roll onto one side, bringing the opposite leg over and planting the foot behind you.
- Keep the bottom arm extended as the top leg's weight opens your chest and shoulder.
- Press the top hand into the floor to control the stretch.
Tips
- Move slowly so the shoulder has time to release.
Adjustments
- Limit how far you roll if the stretch feels too intense.
Child's Pose
Duration: 01:00
Melt into child's pose to reset your breath and relax the back with a calming stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start on hands and knees, then widen your knees while keeping big toes touching.
- Sit your hips back toward your heels and reach your hands forward.
- Lower your chest between your thighs and rest your forehead on the floor or a support.
Tips
- Crawl your fingertips forward to deepen the stretch through the sides of your body.
- Let your chest sink toward the ground with each exhale.
Adjustments
- Keep knees closer together if that feels better for your hips.
- Rest your forehead on a block, pillow, or folded blanket if it does not reach the floor.
Ease out, take a deep breath, and notice the newfound space across your chest.
