Yoga for stiff shoulders: 5 asanas to try

Yoga for stiff shoulders: 5 asanas to try | XpertsReviews.com

Just like Varun Dhawan, if you also have tight and stiff shoulders and chest muscles, try these yoga stretches to get rid of them!

Several Bollywood actors believe in the healing power of yoga. Shilpa Shetty, Malaika Arora, Rakul Preet and Alia Bhatt are a few fitness enthusiasts who love yoga and make sure to practice it daily. Varun Dhawan, who recently became the father of a little girl, swears by yoga. He took to his Instagram account to share how yoga helped relieve stiffness in his shoulders and chest muscles. In a video, he can be seen doing some yoga exercises for stiff shoulders under the supervision of his instructor.

“Yes, it has been the most beneficial healing element of my life. I have had very tight shoulders and chest muscles for a long time and these asanas have helped to open me up and aid my digestion and sleep. It took me a long time to get here under the super version of my teacher,” Varun posted on Instagram, along with a video in which he is seen with a coach.

Check out Varun Dhawan’s Instagram post here:

Benefits of Yoga for Stiff Muscles

Here are 5 common benefits of performing certain yoga stretches or poses that can help ease and relax tight shoulder and chest muscles:

1. Increases flexibility

Yoga stretches like Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana), Eagle Pose (Garudasana) and the one Varun Dhawan performs in the video target the shoulders and chest, which helps lengthen and stretch the muscles tense. This can increase flexibility and reduce stiffness, improving range of motion.

Read also : Frozen shoulder? Try These 10 Yoga Poses to Relieve Pain and Stiffness

2. Improves posture

Poor body posture is one of the most common causes of muscle stiffness. However, many yoga poses focus on proper alignment and opening of the chest and shoulders, which can reduce the risk of developing a hunched back.

3. Relieves pain

Tension in the shoulder and chest muscles often leads to discomfort and even pain. Yoga stretches alleviate this tension by releasing muscle tension and improving blood circulation to the affected areas.

Yoga can relieve neck and shoulder pain. Image courtesy of Adobe Stock

4. Reduces stress

If you’re stressed, your neck and shoulders may be strained, causing pain and discomfort. Incorporating yoga into your daily routine will not only help target tight shoulder and chest muscles, but can also improve your mental health. This, in turn, can release the physical tensions associated with stress.

5. Improves breathing

Opening the chest muscles through yoga stretches can expand the lungs and improve breathing capacity. This not only improves respiratory function, but also increases the flow of oxygen throughout the body, promoting overall well-being.

Yoga Poses for Stiff Shoulders and Chest

Practice these 5 yoga poses regularly to relax tense shoulder and chest muscles:

1. Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana)

Gomukhasana deeply stretches the muscles of the shoulders, triceps and chest. To perform this pose, sit on the floor, bend your legs and cross your right leg over your left leg. Keep your back straight, place one arm above your head, the other behind your back and hold hands. Breathe normally and stay in the asana for 20 to 30 seconds. This pose can release tension in the upper body and improve posture.

A woman doing a cow face pose
Gomukhasana asana is a perfect pose for stretching the shoulders. Image courtesy of: Freepik

2. Bridge pose (Setu bandhasana)

Setu bandhasana strengthens the back and glutes and opens the chest and shoulders. Lie on your back, bend your knees and lift your hips while pressing your chin toward your chest. This pose not only stretches the chest but also strengthens the legs and improves the flexibility of your spine.

3. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)

Bhujangasana is a gentle backbend that targets the chest and shoulders. To perform it, lie on your stomach, place your hands under your shoulders and lift your chest. Make sure your head is pushed slightly upwards. This pose relieves tension in the upper back and improves shoulder flexibility.

cobra pose
This yoga pose can help strengthen your body! Image provided by: Shutterstock

4. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

Dhanurasana stretches the entire front of the body, including the chest, shoulders and abdomen. Lie on your stomach, bend your knees and simultaneously lift your chest to reach back and hold your toes. This pose opens up the tight muscles in your shoulder, chest, and leg, improving posture.

Read also : 5 Best Chest Workouts to Strengthen Your Upper Body

5. Slip into Needle Pose (Parsva balasana)

Parsva balasana opens the shoulders and upper back. Start in a tabletop position, place one arm under your body and rest your shoulder and ear on the mat. This gentle stretch releases tension in the shoulders, improves flexibility and helps calm the mind.

So, try these poses at home regularly to see the quick result!

#Yoga #stiff #shoulders #asanas

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *