Exercises for Mobility and Functional Strength

If you experience tightness in your shoulder "shawl" muscles, you will likely benefit from this stretch, highly effective for lengthening your trapezius and levator scapulae muscles.

Please be sure to enable audio for guidance. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below or you can always reach me at benkim@drbenkim.com. Read more

If you have enough basic mobility and strength to try some simple tumbling, you might begin with shoulder rolls. You can do these from a kneeling start and try to finish in a balanced state on one foot and one knee. Be sure to tuck your chin toward your chest and roll on the back of your shoulder, not the back of your neck.

Once you feel comfortable doing a shoulder roll from a kneeling start, you can try from a standing start. Read more

This is a highly effective stretch for improving extension through your thoracic spinal region and flexion of your shoulder joints.

To execute this stretch, you'll need a large exercise ball and an object that is heavy enough to allow you to anchor your weight with your hands.

If you don't have an exercise ball, you can create a similar stretch using an ottoman or even a pile of dense blankets or towels. Read more

Alternating between Cobra pose and a kneeling tuck is an excellent way to improve mobility through your spine and shoulders.

When in Cobra pose, squeeze your buttocks and quads to keep your core strong, and focus on keeping your shoulders down and your shoulder blades squeezed toward one another. Cobra pose is highly effective for improving extension through the thoracic region of your spinal column. Read more