Tight Shoulders

If your yoga teacher says you've got a tight upper back, it's probably due to these 3 culprits - deltoids, trapezius or rhomboids.

Having inflexibility in these muscles will hinder you from effortlessly getting into asanas like Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel pose), wrapping your arms and crossing your wrists in Garudasana (Eagle pose), putting your hands behind your back in Reverse Namaskar, or even sustaining a firm forearm base in Pincha Mayurasana (Feathered Peacock pose). 

(Of course, tight upper back muscles isn't the only reason for not being able to do the posture properly).

Using a strap to gently pull the arms back and away from the head (without arching the lower back) gives the deltoids and trapezius muscles a nice stretch (here, my practitioners are in deep concentration as they gauge their flexibility).  And if you don't happen to have a yoga strap, a towel or belt will do just as well. 

This simple yet effective exercise is also good for people who are desk-bound and constantly hunched over the computer keyboard.  Giving your upper back a nice daily stretch will reward with you more mobility in the arms and upper back, less shoulder and neckaches, as well as nicer, toned shoulders.  It's so easy, you can even do it at your office desk (just don't use the belt that's hooked onto your trousers, guys, otherwise you'll be in big trouble with the boss!)

Now, aren't those good enough reasons to start stretching today?

Enjoy!