Ever notice someone walking down the street with their head down and shoulders hunched even though the sun is shining and birds are chirping? Their body language, starting at the shoulders is leading you to feel apathetic towards their possible plight.
Fast forward to the next city-dweller who is toting a Blackberry in one hand while speaking into their Bluetooth headset regarding some meeting that they are running late for. Shoulders: up near the ears, you can just feel the stress radiating like a force field.
Then, you nearly run into a woman who although she is dressed to a tee in a sharp suit, she looks as if she has stepped out of a spa minutes before. Shoulders back, head upright and face is incredibly inviting.
Your shoulders are powerful tools of persuasion. Employers even admit that they will invite those who appear confident into their workforce over others (it's terrible, I don't agree with it).
BUT, introducing mobility and muscular balance into our upper body (shoulders and head) not only can help us appear well centered, but can lead to powerful force production through our arms as well!
The shoulder complex is actually made up of 5 joints which combine motion to allow the arm to move smoothly on the trunk.
Key Points in the shoulder:
- The shoulder blades move freely on the ribs: slide up towards your ears, down towards your buttocks, round your shoulders forward and meet behind you to crack a nut.
ACHIEVE BALANCE: Scapular stabilization - As your arm lifts above your head, your shoulder blade slides down your back to allow you to achieve full range of motion (your lower trapezius & Lattisimus Dorsi muscle activate this motion)
ACHIEVE BALANCE: Lat Pulls - Your stable shoulder blades will lay flat on the trunk while at rest. Meaning your shoulder blades should not stick out.
ACHIEVE BALANCE: stabilization exercises - Your upper back and ribs are required to have sufficient mobility to help balance out relationships in the upper quadrant.
ACHIEVE BALANCE: upper back/rib mobility
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5 comments:
My shoulder posture is not always perfect. Mom was right about standing up straight, and so are you!!
In had to take my computer to the Geek Squad today after it went (*&%^^( last night Ugh!!
I catch myself slumping at my desk sometimes!
I constantly have to remind myself to keep my shoulders down at the computer. And once you start noticing your own shoulders at your ears, you start to see it in everyone else as well. Oh my poor kids if I ever have any :-)
I *love* lat pulldowns, and you've reminded me of the need for control while doing them. I need to be mindful of that. Also, I'd forgotten about the underhand grip, so thanks for that reminder, too!
Dr J-- AHH! More computer problems! It's a total nightmare huh! Thank God for Geek Squad!
Jess-- We all slump from time to time! Its just important not to let it take us over!
springgirl-- I totally hear ya!
Cammy-- great!!
~rupal
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