We like to keep out bodies supple and healthy. It makes daily activities easy and injury free. So……regular stretching it so important! I tend to focus on my lower body because of past knee and hip challenges….. but it wasn’t until I took an adult fitness test that I realized my upper body was TIGHT.

I didn’t think much about it until one day I was reminiscing about my youthful days of falling backwards into a bridge and how easy it used to be. What happened? Why was it so hard? I stretched on a regular basis. But I wasn’t challenging a very important section of my body: my upper body-–specifically: the shoulder girdle.

So I started mimicking the bridge by laying back on an exercise ball. I put it against the wall to stabilize my base of support and CAREFULLY laid backwards on the ball. It felt really good, but as I paid attention to my body talking back to me–it was my UPPER body that was tight.

It occurred to me that when I did daily activities –like reaching– or even walking–it seemed harder to pull my shoulders back into proper alignment. My shoulders wanted to hunch forward because my chest muscles were so tight. (maybe b/c I am always over my computer, phone, paperwork, and the kitchen sink!)

So I have started adding this simple stretch into my weekly fitness routine. I really like it and my upper body already feels better! You can do it anywhere you have a wall. Take a look at the video below and try it with me. (Please make sure you always warm up before you stretch.)

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