Shoulder Rehab: Toy Soldiers

Tight neck? Sore Shoulders? I found myself with both after practicing handstands with my daughter for hours this weekend. To get immediate relief try laying on the floor with knees bent and feet flat. Arms are long at your sides with palms facing in. Inhale and sweep one arm up and then back next to your ear on the floor. Pro tip: make sure you allow the shoulder blade to melt down rather than having the shoulder climb up to make this movement. Exhale to return the arm down. Switch sides. Repeat 10 - 12x.

Progression: Stand against a wall with feet 4" apart parallel and bent knees. Tailbone, shoulders and back of head touch the wall - same as laying down but now we're working against gravity and can find more core effort. Arms are long at your sides with palms facing in. Inhale and sweep one arm up and then back next to your ear on the wall. Pro tip: make sure you allow the shoulder blade to melt down rather than having the shoulder climb up to make this movement. Exhale to return the arm down. Switch sides. Repeat 10 - 12x.