Yinka’s curiosity in supporting folks in direction of ache free motion impressed her to coach as a yoga instructor, finishing her British Wheel of Yoga Diploma in 2000. After 18 years of working as an osteopath within the NHS, Yinka started to work full time at her observe, Holmewood Osteopathic Observe which provides person-centred, remedy and administration of ache and restriction. In addition to working a observe Yinka can be a senior observe educator and lecturer on the College School of Osteopathy (previously The British College of Osteopathy). Yinka has developed and delivered plenty of programs and workshops together with 2-day postgraduate programs on the College School of Osteopathy geared toward educating osteopaths and MSK allied healthcare professionals learn how to use components of yoga to handle low again and shoulder ache.
We’re delighted to convey you this function from Yinka on 6 yoga poses to assist help shoulder mobility and cut back ache. We additionally caught up with Yinka to listen to extra about her work and mission for 2023 right here, plus Yinka might be providing a free on-line 4-week Refresher/Learners Yoga Course with Yogamatters beginning on Thursday twelfth January. To e book and discover out extra go to.
Supported Fish Pose
This pose will elevate the mid again space right into a slight backbend, and can stretch the muscle mass throughout the entrance of the chest. Place a block or two blocks (relying on what top feels finest for you) in a vertical place roughly the place the higher thoracic backbone will lie. Place a blanket over the blocks to make the floor softer to put again.
Place 2 bricks above the primary on the mat horizontal (the place your head might be). From a seated place on the mat with the ft down slowly recline and permit the realm between the shoulder blades to be supported by the primary block, maintain reclining and permit the top to contact the second block (if this doesn’t occur comfortably, place a 3rd block on prime of the second). Let the arms loosen up on the ground, respiratory out and in for a number of breaths. To exit the posture, use the arms to push again as much as sitting.
*This pose can intensely stretch tender tissue buildings on the entrance of the cervical backbone. This pose requires the usage of 2-3 yoga blocks or bricks.
Spinal Twist with Cactus Arms
This pose will rotate the mid again space and can stretch the muscle mass throughout the entrance of the chest. It should additionally work among the rotator cuff muscle mass and mobilise the ball and socket shoulder joint. From a semi supine place place the heel of every foot according to the center of the buttock. Deliver the arms near the perimeters of the physique palms down and tip the chin to the breastbone. Maintain the top nonetheless and the soles of the ft on the mat. Carry the arms up and permit them to lie both aspect of the top. Bend the elbows and slide them into line with the shoulders. Breathe in and as you breathe out permit each knees to maneuver to the left, maintain this for a number of breaths and breathe in to return to centre. Repeat to the appropriate aspect.
Wall Supported Shoulder Stand
This pose will flex the mid again space and can stretch the muscle mass throughout the entrance of the chest. It may possibly additionally work the central stomach muscle mass surprisingly laborious. Lie in your left aspect along with your buttocks contacting the wall and your legs parallel to the wall and mendacity alongside the ground. Roll to the appropriate and onto your again as you swing/slide your legs up the wall. Push your heels away from you bringing the soles of the ft to face the ceiling. Buttocks ought to keep involved with the wall. Begin to slide or stroll the ft down the wall and bend the knees. Press the soles of the ft into the wall and elevate the pelvis off the ground as soon as the pelvis is lifted begin to help the decrease again with cupped arms. Pin the elbows into the ground and stroll the arms to the centre of the backbone squeezing the shoulder blades collectively. Draw the chin to the breastbone. *Warning. Weight might be centred throughout the shoulder girdle and a robust stretch could also be felt behind the neck. Maintain the pose for just a few breaths, and slowly launch the pelvis again to the ground. To exit the pose, slide the legs up the wall after which slowly roll onto the left or proper aspect because the legs slide or stroll again to the ground.
Supported Butterfly Pose
This pose will elevate the mid again space into a delicate supported backbend, and can softly stretch the muscle mass throughout the entrance of the chest. In reclined butterfly the ball and socket shoulder joints are rolled backwards taking strain away from the entrance of the shoulder capsule. Place a bolster in your mat and prop up the highest finish with 2 yoga bricks. Have 2 bricks handy (you may also use 2 hand towels or cushions). Sit on the base of the bolster along with your decrease again contacting the bolster however just remember to are sitting on the mat, not the bolster. Deliver the soles of your ft collectively or you’ll be able to bend your knees protecting the soles of your ft on the mat, and slowly begin to recline backwards onto the bolster. Your head have to be supported in order that your chin can drop down in direction of your chest. If this doesn’t occur put extra help on the head finish of the bolster, comparable to a cushion. Use the two additional bricks or cushions to put beneath your thighs close to your hips if this helps with consolation.
Seated Aspect Stretch
This pose will stretch the lateral muscle mass of the thorax which connect wrap across the again near the shoulder blade. These muscle mass are sometimes tight after a bout of shoulder ache or restriction. Sit comfortably upright both on the ground cross legged or in a chair, breathe in lifting the decrease ribcage as you increase the arms out to the aspect to shoulder top. As you breathe out, aspect bend to the left taking your left fingertips or palm to the ground on the left. Increase your proper arm to the ceiling. Gaze straight forward or up on the ceiling to the appropriate. To get a deeper stretch of the muscle mass down the again and aspect of the shoulder girdle begin to take the appropriate arm over the top, fingertips pointing to the ground on the left. Rotate the appropriate aspect of your ribcage backwards. Slide the left hand sideways as you convey the left elbow to the ground.
Shoulder Stretch with Yoga Belt
This pose will work the ball and socket shoulder joints fairly laborious and care have to be taken if in case you have any instability of those joints or a historical past of dislocating shoulder joints. You might be prone to really feel an intense stretch of the muscle mass throughout the entrance of the chest as they connect close to the arm pit. Sit comfortably upright with a woven non-stretch belt wrapped round every hand so that you’ve a very good grip at every finish. Pull the belt taught in entrance of you in order that each arms are outstretched. Breathe in and take the taught belt above your head and as you breath out begin to take it behind your head and down in direction of your shoulders. You’ll really feel the pose intensify and there might be a “candy spot” past this it should get simpler of more durable. Maintain for just a few breaths after which slowly return to your begin level. Go gently.
