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  • My Yoga Journey
  • Connect
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  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • My Yoga Journey
    • About Me
  • Virtual Yoga Classes
  • Connect
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      • Media Kit
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    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release – the somatic yoga way!

January 7, 2022 //  by Di Hickman//  Leave a Comment

Improving shoulder mobility is something I love to work with on my clients. Many people tend to get ‘stuck’ in their range of movement. Everyday habits add up! One of the issues that can cause lack of shoulder movement is tight lats. So let’s look at a Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release, the somatic yoga way.

If you can’t view the embedded video above, you can view the video on YouTube. Maybe add it to a playlist? Above all, remember to subscribe to my channel. New videos are uploaded regularly. However, for exclusive longer format videos sign up for my Patreon community. Each month we explore poses, transitions, and trouble areas. Patrons also get early access to all my videos, along with lots of other benefits.

Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release

In case you didn’t know a tight Latissimus Dorsi runs can be one of the major factors in limiting shoulder movement. If when lifting your arms overhead you find your scapular gets ‘stuck’ and the arms can’t get all the way up, well your lats could be your issue. Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release typically are done with foam rollers. Which can be fantastic, but also hella painful! Instead, lets choose a gentler way. Try the somatic yoga Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release with a blanket!

woman in a grey top and black pants, sitting on yoga mat with a blanket

Before beginning this practice I highly recommend trying a few exercises beforehand to get a baseline measure of your shoulder movement. This could be simply sitting and lifting the arms overhead. Things to look for include:

  • How close are your biceps to the ears?
  • Do you have fluid smooth movement?
  • Are your arms in front of your face?
  • Can one arm reach higher?
  • Does your back arch excessively when raising the arms?

All these things can tell you a lot about your shoulder movement. Instead of grabbing a torture device foam roller, grab a blanket and roll it up. For the somatic Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release lay the upper back on the blanket. With the arms over the top.

woman in a grey top and black pants, laying on yoga mat with a blanket

Positiong wise for this somatic Latissimus Dorsi myofascial release I like to think about the blanket in the same position as ‘drying your back’. Under the armpits but higher than the waist. From her reach one arm back, and roll towards that same side. Repeat the rolling action “fishing” for areas of tension.

woman on yoga mat with a blanket

If you find a tender spot, then stay there. Maybe just taking small rocking action a few inches back and forth over that one spot. In all, it should just take just a few minutes to feel some lessening of tension. Then roll back and repeat on the other before coming into seated to retest the range of motion If you’re looking for more help on improving your should mobility check out my other posts.

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somatic latissimus dorsi myofascial release

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If you’re looking for real yoga for real bodies, consider joining my Patreon. Each month I release two yoga classes exclusively for my Patreon community. On the other hand, other ways to find more yoga with me are signing up for my 7-day yoga challenge, or subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Questions

  • How is your shoulder range of motion?
  • Have you used a foam roller before?
  • Would you be willing to try something gentler?
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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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