This post explores a range of Iyengar yoga poses that can help to improve the health of your shoulders. The term “shoulder” is a general term that we use to denote a complex region of our bodies where bones, joints, tendons and muscles interact in way that allows considerable freedom of movement. The potential range of movement in our arms and shoulders is beautifully represented in the vast array of classical yoga poses. The complex nature of the shoulder region can however, make it vulnerable to problems. It is not uncommon for students to present to a yoga class complaining of pain, instability, or restriction of movement in their shoulders. The iyengar method has a comprehensive array of poses and adaptations that may be helpful for students experiencing difficulties with their shoulders.
This article aims to gather a range of these poses and condense them into a sequence that can easily be practiced at home. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of therapeutic shoulder poses. Priority is given to practical poses and positions that can be readily adapted to a home practice, without need for specialised equipment. The sequence aims to develop the shoulders in all directions of their potential movement. These poses are not intended to be used as a replacement for treatment by a trained medical professional. If you are experiencing pain in your shoulders then it would be recommended to visit a doctor prior to commencing yoga.
You can discover the whole of the yoga for shoulders routine here.