Shoulder Stabilization

Let’s focus on one of the Basic Principles of Pilates!SHOULDER AND SCAPULAR STABILIZATIONSTABILIZING THE SCAPULAE:

• For better posture
• To prevent over-use of muscles around the neck and shoulders
• A sense of stability, not rigidity, should always be maintained
• Maintain a sense of width across the chest
• The scapulae should lie flat on the rib cage
• The scapulae should be in a neutral position – not overly forward or squeezed completely together

EXPERIMENTING WITH SCAPULAR STABILIZATIONSCAPULAR RETRACTION

• Gently slide shoulder blades back and down. This should feel like you are tucking them down towards your back pockets.
• Do not overly retract causing your ribs to pop-out in front or your back to arch. Just gently slide your shoulder blades on your ribcage. Feel the widening across your chest.
• Release, bringing the scapulae back to neutral.

Written by Autumn DawsonInformation generated from Merrithew Corporation (STOTT PILATES parent company)