Shine Fm Blog

Stretches for Better Posture

This morning I found a great article in the Edmonton Sun that addresses our children's posture.  There has been an increase in children complaining about some back or shoulder pain, which are symptoms of bad posture.  Taking breaks to stretch will not only get the blood flowing to help with circulation to the brain, but it also makes for a great mental break!

Here are those stretches I said I'd post to help improve posture:

Monkey Lat Stretch: Hang on the monkey bars and try to pull yourself up a few centimetres by pulling your shoulder blades together, without bending your arms. Raise up, lower down, raise up, lower down. Repeat. Alleviates stress from the upper back while strengthening upper back muscles. Counters “upper cross syndrome” or rounded shoulders.

Hugs and Snow Angels: Lie face down on a stability ball and give it a big hug. Flip onto your back on the ball, or on the floor, and work the opposing muscles by stretching arms out from your side and fanning them up to your head and back. Gently stretches out the lower back and spine relieving pain and discomfort from sitting too long. Angel arms help relax tightness in upper back.

Thread the Needle: Lie with back on floor/grass bend left knee into a 90-degree angle and rest right foot on top of left knee. Pull left knee toward chest until you feel a stretch for about 20 seconds. Change legs. and repeat. Stretches out the hips from always being forward. Can also be done sitting up straight on a chair.

Fish out of Water: Lie on stomach on the floor/grass and raise arms outstretched in front of you and legs extended behind you, at the same time. Hold briefly and release. Repeat. Stretches abdominal muscles, while strengthening the lower back.

Know someone who should know about this?