Most of us don't realize just how tense and elevated our poor shoulders are. You get involved in what your doing at the moment and all good intentions of sitting up tall and getting those shoulders down vaporize like a well intentioned new year's resolution. Let's do something to help you get your shoulders moving in the right direction. Down.
Stand in front of a blank section of wall, about as wide as you are. Place your feet facing forward, toward the wall, you toes two foot lengths away from the wall and spaced about shoulder width apart (approximately 15"-17".) Place your arms on the wall in front of you, 1"-2" below shoulder height, fingers up and elbows close in (that's important.)
The purpose of this push up is to educate and strengthen the muscles in your upper back, to make it easy to keep your shoulders down (read: less tension headaches, for one.) To that end, you'll need to keep you elbows in line with your shoulders and hands as you do your wall push ups. The other important element is to go slowly. Momentum makes these easier and less effective. Yes, less. So go slowly. Focus your attention on feeling your shoulder blades squeezing together and down your back as you work.
Start with 15 wall push ups and work up to 30. If you get tired early, stop, don't 'muscle through'.
Have a glass of water and Teri, yup, it's that time - hoof it around the neighborhood, just 15 minutes! And everyone else, stairs will do fine, shoulders down, of course!
see you soon.
