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Shrug away your woes

Practise shoulder shrugs consciously to get rid of strain

EASY TO DO Shoulder jathi

The shoulders suffer a lot of stress due to the many activities that are done on a habitual, unconscious level. When we drive, watch TV or work on a computer, our shoulders get strained especially if our posture is not good. Shoulder injuries are common among sportsmen due to repetitive movements.

The shoulder is the joint that has the most range of motion. This is also a minus point because the joint becomes very unstable.

Shoulder pain is localised or may result from imbalances in other parts of the body. The shoulder literally carries the burden of the imbalances not only resulting from misuse or overuse of the shoulder region but also of other parts of the body. For example, if there is an imbalance in the cervical region of the spine, pain will radiate down to the shoulders. Liver, gall bladder or heart imbalances also could send pain radiating across the shoulder.

In yoga, we see the body is a connected system and imbalance in one region affects another. In the same way, the body, emotions and the mind are also connected. Similarly, in society, we are all interconnected. Once we see this interconnection, we will take care of each part or person in a system, seeing its or his significance in maintaining balance. Else the pain will radiate to other parts. This is applicable to the many departments in an office as well. By looking at someone's shoulder, one can see the strain to the system. If the shoulder is stooped or hunched, then it is a clear sign of strain. This body language communicates "burden."

When we practise the shoulder shrugs consciously and enjoy them, we facilitate the release of all these painful or burdening impulses. When the mind is directed there, prana (life force energy) moves to that point to convert the burden into a challenge. When there is more prana, then we are ready to face challenges and they become a blessing to help us grow. Thus by taking time to release the burden, we can see a marked shift in our approach to life. Ease the strain, doing the following jathi (conscious rhythmic movement).

The technique: Sit in sukha asana or any comfortable position. This can be done even sitting on a chair. Breathe in and shrug your shoulders to your ears. Breathe out and release. Do this thrice, enjoying the movement and taking deep breaths that show on your face through a smile. Now loosely shake your shoulders. Repeat the shoulder shrugs three more times. Then shake your shoulders as well as your head loosely from side to side. Once again do the shoulder shrugs thrice. Then shake your shoulders. Relax. This is one round or set and you can practise this not just in the morning but also right through the day. Take shrugging breaks as you sit in front of the computer, it takes only few minutes.

Practise the shoulder shrugs and offload anything that is unwanted. Shrug off your problems and pains.

MAITREYI

(Visit www.arkaya.net or e-mail maitreyi9@hotmail.com)

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