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SKIP this exercise if painful or uncomfortable

Blue Stars_edited.png

Exercise 12 (8a)

  • Learn and follow the exercise instructions below.

  • Practice this exercise daily as part of your sequence. 

  • Perform this exercise only in pain free and comfortable ranges.

  • If necessary, seek professional advise to use as part of a rehabilitation program.

Learn the Exercise

Blue (lower body) Journey

The 2 Stars Sequence

Video

Follow the onscreen breathing instructions Inhale Exhale

Tap on 'Next' for the next exercise (unavailable when in full screen)

8a includes a very important pectoral and arms stretch, which aims to enable and maintain a comfortable and harmonious head, neck and shoulder complex in daily life functions.

To produce the powerful shoulder extension stretch,10a employs a full-body movement witch includes ankle mobility and spinal stability.


Bar Position

  • Waist height


Tempo

  • Move - stretch - return - relax -...


Eyesight

  • Throughout exercise - look forward towards the horizon.

  • Beware and correct - it is typical to incorrectly look upwards during this exercise.


Breathing Pattern

  • Inhale - Starting position.

  • Exhale - Movement, stretch and return phases.

  • Inhale - Relax phase.



Starting Position


  • Stand facing away from the bar.

  • Lean back slightly, and place hands on the bar with fingers facing backwards.

  • Maintain an upright harmonious standing position:

  • Long neck with eyesight towards the horizon (avoid forward head position).

  • Shoulders wide and low.

  • Ribcage not 'flared'.

  • Lumbar spine in the neutral position.

  • While holding this upright posture, walk slightly forward until the beginning of a pectoral or arms stretch is felt.

  • Inhale.


Movement Phase


  • Upon exhalation, start to raise the heels and slightly flex the knees at the same time.

  • Maintain spinal stability to transfer the movement force to the shoulder joints.

  • Use abdominal muscles and the exhalation for this.


Stretch Phase


  • Pause the movement for about a second when the ankles reach their full range and the pectoral (or arms) stretch is sufficiently deep.

  • Remember to look at the horizon in this position with long neck (no chin poking).

  • Increase exhalation to increase the stretch.


Return Phase


  • While still exhaling and maintaining the straight body line, tilt the body harmoniously back to the Starting Position.


Relax Phase


  • Inhale and assume the harmonious starting posture.

  • Relax the muscles in that position and start gearing the body for the next repetition.

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