Photo: Yoga 15/ Abi Carver.
Benefits
-Stretches the chest, shoulders, and upper back.
-Releases tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back, between the shoulder blades.
-Increases rotational spinal mobility.
-Relaxes the body and calms the mind.
Instructions
-Come to all fours with your wrists directly under your shoulders and your hips right above your knees.
-Inhale, sweep your right hand up to the sky, look up to your fingertips. Exhale, thread your right hand under your left arm, palm facing up. Bring your head and shoulder to rest on the mat.
-Allow the tension in your arm, shoulder and neck to fall away. Seal your lips and stay in the pose for 5 deep breaths.
-Release the pose and come back up to all fours.
-Repeat on the other side.
Modifications
-Experiment with different arm positions to get the release that you need. You can bring the palm of your left hand to your sacrum; take hold of your right thigh to bind the pose and stretch across your chest and shoulder; or reach your left hands towards the top of the mat to stretch your upper back.
Contraindications
-Knee, shoulder, or neck injury.
Find more yoga poses and routines designed specifically for surfers here.
