Open Your Shoulders with a Yoga Strap

Gomukhasana (pose of cow’s face) is a must for my morning yoga lessons. Years ago, several of my students invented unflattering names for that – pie pie, crazy cow, etc. – Because it was so difficult for them. Now, these same opponents of the cow’s face have turned into cow’s face converts. Some of them even abandon a little of their Savasana (relaxation) to do so if I do not offer it in class. However, the position of the cow’s arm is another story. This can be a whole challenge, but with a yoga strap, everyone can enjoy the advantages.

Gomukhasana is quite complex. It is classified as an opening of the hip, because it stretches all the glutes – Maximus, Medius and Minimus – as well as the piriform and the fasciae latae. My students – those who like it – make it found very, which makes it a useful pose for the end of a practice. (Note that the photo that accompanies this blog shows only the position of the arm, not the position of the legs. You can find a description of the position of the legs in the “Gomukhasana” link above.)

The pose of the cow’s face does not concern the hips

The pose of the cow’s face also opens the shoulders. The classic position of the arm includes a elbow pointing up and the other hand stuck behind your shoulder blades. Said it looks like a raised and an ear lowered on the head of a cow, it creates a strong stretch of the triceps in the upper arm and a powerful biceps and a deltoid stretch in the bottom.

Although the positions of the legs and arms are traditionally practiced together, they can also be beneficial for themselves if you are interested in attracting more attention to your hips or shoulders.

Why use a yoga strap?

Today’s blog will focus on the shoulders. The traditional position calls for connecting the hands of your upper and lower arms in the upper back. But the shoulders of many people did not allow it. There are many possible reasons for this, including building shoulder joints. The shoulders of some people are formed for stability. They may not be able to reach their elbow directly towards the sky because their humerus bones “hit” the back of the scapula before the arm waits vertical. This particular shoulder configuration is not a sign that you are a “deficient” yogi! It is good in what is considered an amplitude of normal movement.

Others will note that when their dominant arm is the lowest, their hands cannot touch, even if they can connect when the dominant arm is the upper upper. This may be due to the increase in resistance and stability in the dominant biceps and deltoids, although there may be other reasons.

In any case, a yoga strap can help. It can fill the gap between your hands, creating a connection. Connecting the hands is important to boost the arms to Gomukhasana. Whether you connect your fingers or use a yoga strap to connect your hands, your Gomukhasana will be more dynamic if you can connect your hands.

How to use a yoga strap in Gomukhasana

If your hands do not connect to Gomukhasana, try this:

1. Spread your left arm in front of you, turning your palm outwards, turning your shoulder internally. Top your arm behind your back. Fold your elbow and place the back of your hand on your low back. Now there is the back of your hand behind your back, any amount, of the rib cage less than between the shoulder blades.
2. Hold a yoga strap in your right hand. Leans it on your back. Turn your right palm to face inward, towards your head. Fold your elbow and find the yoga strap with your left hand. Walk your hands straight and left to each other. If you want to add additional energy to your shoulder experience, “stretch” the strap, pulling up with your right hand and down with your left.
3. Stay for five to ten deep breaths. Let go and let your arms relax. Take five to ten deep breaths before practicing your other side.

If you want to see more uses for yoga straps, as well as how to use the other premium accessories from Hugger Muguger, please visit the yoga accessories guide.

About Charlotte Bell

Charlotte Bell discovered yoga in 1982 and started teaching in 1986. Charlotte is the author of Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life: A Guide for Everyding Practice and Yoga for Meditators, both published by Rodmell Press. His third book is entitled Hip-Healthy Asana: The Yoga Pratitioner’s Guide to Protect of the Hips and Avoid Si Joint Pain (Shambhala Publications). She writes a monthly chronicle for Catalyst Magazine and is online Yoga U publisher. Charlotte is a founding member of the board of directors of Greentree Yoga, a non -profit organization that brings yoga to poorly served populations. Musician for life, Charlotte plays an oboe and an English horn in the Salt Lake Symphony and the Sextuant Folk Red rock Rondo, whose DVD won two Emmy Awards.