Yoga as Therapeutic Exercise: A Practical Guide for Manual Therapists

6

Chapter

The basic exercises

4. Basic exercises for the shoulder girdle and the cervicothoracic junction 5. Basic exercises for the cervical spine, head, and temporomandibular joint


5. Basic exercises for the shoulder girdle and the cervicothoracic junction 5. Basic exercises for the cervical spine, head, and temporomandibular joint

Exercise 4.12: Thoracic outlet

Aims: gently mobilizing the cervicothoracic junction

and the area to the upper sternum.

1. Place the fingertips of one hand over the
   first thoracic vertebra, and the fingertips of
   the other hand left and right of the upper
   sternum, underneath your clavicle (Figure
   6.104).


2. Feel the movement underneath your
   fingertips with inhalation and exhalation.
   With inhalation there is a subtle segmental
   back-bending in the upper thoracic spine; the
   upper ribs and the sternum are rising.

Hint

This exercise goes well with exercise 3.1, mini-

back-bend, with the rolled towel ending at the first

thoracic vertebra.

If you practice the shoulder stand you may find

this exercise helpful preparation.

Figure 6.104