In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's all too common to carry stress in our bodies, manifesting as tension in various areas. One of the most notorious spots for tension buildup is the #shoulders. But have you ever considered the profound impact this tension has on something as fundamental as our #breathing?
Picture this: a long day at work, deadlines looming, shoulders hunched over a computer screen, the weight of responsibility pressing down. Sound familiar? When stress and tension accumulate, they often manifest physically, and the shoulders bear a significant portion of this burden. Whether it's from poor posture, repetitive movements, or emotional strain, the muscles in our shoulders tighten, forming knots that seem impossible to unravel.
Shallow Breathing: A Consequence of Shoulder Tension: Now, let's explore the intricate connection between shoulder tension and breathing patterns. Take a moment to observe your breath. Are you breathing deeply, filling your lungs from bottom to top, or does it feel shallow, confined to the upper chest? For many individuals grappling with shoulder tension, the latter scenario is all too common.
When our shoulders are perpetually tense, the natural movement of the #diaphragm, the primary muscle involved in breathing, becomes restricted. Instead of descending fully into the abdomen with each inhale, the breath remains shallow, barely grazing the upper chest. This shallow breathing pattern not only limits the amount of oxygen entering our bodies but also deprives us of accessing the upper lobes of our lungs, where crucial oxygen exchange takes place.
Breaking Free: Techniques for Relieving Shoulder Tension and Improving Breathing: Fortunately, breaking free from this cycle is possible with mindful practices aimed at releasing shoulder tension and restoring natural breathing patterns. Here are some techniques to try:
Shoulder Rolls:Â Take a moment to roll your shoulders backward and downward in a smooth, circular motion, allowing tension to melt away with each rotation.
Stretching Exercises:Â Incorporate gentle stretching exercises targeted at the shoulders and chest to alleviate tightness and improve mobility.
Diaphragmatic Breathing:Â Practice diaphragmatic breathing exercises to retrain your body to breathe deeply from the abdomen rather than the chest. Lie down comfortably, place one hand on your abdomen and the other on your chest, and focus on filling your belly with each inhale while keeping the chest relatively still.
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques:Â Engage in mindfulness meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, or yoga to cultivate awareness of tension in the body and learn to release it consciously.
Today, I invite you to join me in exploring a video I've crafted, featuring shoulder release practices and techniques for clearing the upper #energy centers in our field.
About Bhavani and The Soothe Method
Bhavani has been involved in the wellness industry for over 15 years. She became interested in Yoga as a form of exercise in her teenage years. As a young adult she deepened her understanding and became more curious in learning about the mind and body relationship. After practicing more dynamic and traditional practices, she leaned into the art of pausing. This opened her up to the journey of Restorative, Somatics and Therapeutics.Â
She has also trained with Svastha Yoga Therapy school for several years, is a Certified Yoga Therapist, runs a Back Care Clinic each year at Sanctuary Hill and is a registered Yoga New Zealand Level 3 Teacher and E-RYT500 Yoga Alliance Registered and YACEP.
She created #thesoothemethod The Soothe Method Training which born out of a personal quest for relief from chronic tension and stress. Central to the Soothe Method is the cultivation of somatic awareness—the practice of tuning into the wisdom of the body and honoring its innate capacity for healing and self-regulation. This #training is offered yearly at Sanctuary Hill Retreats, NZ.
Comments