Sunshine on my Shoulders makes me Happy!

Hello Dancing Friends!

This morning my Nia and Yoga personal practice was focused on my shoulder girdle, and I am bringing this focus to my classes this week. Our shoulder girdle is made up of three bones: the clavicle (collarbone), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the humerus (upper arm bone) as well as associated muscles, ligaments and tendons. Our shoulder girdle is meant to be free. When our shoulder girdle is free, our whole body is more relaxed and we can actually breath deeper.

Visualize your shoulder girdle as a halo of light that supports the vertical alignment of your head, and is in harmony and balance with the halo at the crown of your head and the halo that illuminates your pelvis. Your scapula or shoulder blades are shaped like wings at the back of your shoulder and helps to distribute the movement of your arms and diminish stress in the shoulder joint. Your clavicle is an S shaped bone and is the only bone that lies horizontally in your body. You have 2! They allow horizontal flow and alignment that is necessary for efficient ease and power of your arms. It receives its name from the Latin word clavicula ("little key") because the bone rotates along its axis like a key when your shoulder is drawn away from your body, and it is roughly the same shape as a key for a Roman door lock. Cool!! I love my clavicles...my favorite bone!!!

And our Humerous bone…well it is the longest and largest bone of your upper extremity and at the top, it has rounded head that moves inside the shoulder joint. Go ahead and touch your humerous bone and laugh!!!

There are many quotes/sayings about our shoulders that can spark our emotions. My favorite is "Sunshine on my Shoulders makes me Happy!" by John Denver. How about "Lift the weight off your shoulders", "Chip on your shoulder", "Giving a cold shoulder", "Good head on your shoulders", etc. There is nothing more comforting though, then the offer from a loved one of their shoulder to lean on.

I have some awesome movements for you to release and free up your shoulder girdle in my classes this week...can't wait to practice with you!! In the meantime, place the tip of your tongue on the roof of you mouth, inhale deeply and release with the sound of "AHHHH". Notice how your shoulders relax. And thoughout the week, take time to give yourself a big hug and sense your wings. They are there giving you flight every day…see you in class!!

Click HERE for My Nia and Yoga classes this week!

Namaste! Joanie