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Yoga for wrists and forearms

August 14, 2020 //  by Di Hickman//  16 Comments

Wrist pain is something people suffer a lot with in yoga as we’re on all fours, in downdog or plank (and that’s not even getting started with hand balancing postures!). To provide a little relief from any built up tension, stress or pain, I figured I needed to do a quick video on yoga for wrists and forearms.

5 exercises to help relieve wrists & forearm pain. 10 minute class.

Recently, I created a 30 yoga minute class to tone and strengthen the arms for my Patreon supporters. This video serves as a cool down or sorts for that class. Plus, it’s a great way for keyboard, or mouse users to get relief from wrist, hand pain. So take 10, grab a tennis ball, and give your hand, wrist and forearm some TLC.

The yoga class is all about giving the forearms, wrists and hands some TLC. You can view the video on YouTube. Maybe add it to a playlist? Above all, remember to to subscribe to my channel. New videos are uploaded every Tuesday and Friday. However, for exclusive longer format videos sign up for my Patreon community. Patrons also get early access to all my videos, along with other benefits.

Yoga for wrists and forearms

While this class was primarily made for post workout, it also has other uses. It’s a great way to warm up or cool down from hand balances. This yoga for wrist and forearms class would also be great for anyone who plays sports or a musical instrument.

Wrist Circles

This 10 minute class starts with some wrist circles. This serves the purpose of mobilizing and lubricating the wrist joint, and warming up the muscles in the hands and forearms.

seated demonstrating wrist circles

Make sure to go in BOTH directions! Notice any crackling, pops, restrictions or tension. Is it easier to go circle in one direction? How does the right compare to the left?

Wrist Curls

Rest the back of the wrists on the knees, letting the fingers drape towards the floor. Curl the fingers into the palms. Then, curl the knuckles towards the wrist/elbow.

demonstrating wrist curls

Again, this is about mobilizing and stretching through the wrist. Notice, where is the tension? Does one hand draw closer in? Subsequently, notice if the hand opens more on one side.

Peace Knuckle Stretch

This stretch for the wrist, and forearm is a weird one. Why? Well, you naturally want to push down on the whole hand. However, this is a stretch where less (but more focused) pressure, is more!

forearm stretch image. Index fingers on opposite knuckles.

Take the peace fingers of your right hand and place them on top of the first two knuckles of your left hand. Push down with the peace fingers of the right hand, drawing the left fingers towards the elbow. Try this at home! Our temptation is to put pressure on the outside edge towards the little finger, when we actually get a better stretch towards the index finger side.

Tennis Ball Forearm Massage

Regular readers will know how fond I am of using a tennis ball. Seriously, it’s one of the best things for tired feet. And now, you get another way to use your tennis ball with this forearm massage. Make sure to support the forearm on a bolster, block or table. Using the opposite hand, roll the ball from wrist to elbow.

seated with arm supported and rolling a tennis ball along forearms

Get into all the forearm muscle here from thumb side to little finger edge. And remember, flip your arm over so you get the soft underside. This one is great for noticing the difference in your dominant compared to non-dominant hand. Plus, this is a two-fer. Meaning that, as you massage your forearm with the ball, you are also massaging your hand! Multitasking.

Lotus Mudra Rolls

Finishing with a little mudra for some brain-body coordination. This moving mudra starts in namaste. Then, open the index, middle and fourth fingers away from their counterparts. Keep the wrists connected. But, roll the hands around thumbs to pinky.

Profile photo of seated yogi in lotus mudra

This is a fun, quick and easy rolling mudra to focus on hand-eye-brain coordination, and mobilization. Overall, it’s just a nice way to end any practice involving wrists and arms.

Remember, for strengthening classes for the arms check out my Patreon community. Unlock 20+ classes by signing up today!

Questions

  • Do you suffer from wrist or forearm pain?
  • Have you used a tennis ball for self massage?
  • What areas of your body do you hold tension?
Previous Post: « How to do Happy Baby pose – modifications & variations
Next Post: Hurts to lay on stomach – cobra & face down Savasana hurts to lay on stomach»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nkem

    August 25, 2020 at 1:14 am

    I have wrist issues which makes it difficult for me to complete some postures or get the most from my yoga sessions, so I appreciate this!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      September 1, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      I have a standing wrist free yoga class coming soon!

      Reply
  2. Viano Dee

    August 17, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    As someone who mostly types, I get the wrist pulls/ sprains sometimes. I usually just stretch or rotate my wrist and I feel relief.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 20, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      Yep, you might want to try the tennis ball massage too!

      Reply
  3. Melanie williams

    August 16, 2020 at 2:27 am

    This is fab, as with all the typing and scrolling this is exactly what I need thanks x

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 16, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      Honestly same! I’ve been spending WAY more time at the computer than usual!

      Reply
  4. Kristine Nicole Alessandra

    August 15, 2020 at 9:02 pm

    Another new thing I learned today. I did not know that there would be such exercises. I hope to see some exercises for flabby triceps. I would really appreciate it if you could post some yoga poses that could help with that.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 16, 2020 at 4:24 pm

      Hahah I just did that EXACT thing for my Patreon community this month!

      Reply
  5. Indya | The Small Adventurer

    August 15, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    I’ve never thought about yoga movements such as this, but my partner suffers from tendonitis in both arms and often gets pains in these exact places, so I’ll have to pass these tips along to him and see if these help him in any way!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 16, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      Definitely try the forearm massage with a ball!

      Reply
  6. Chei

    August 15, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    Oh this is nice. I didnt know that there’s a yoga for wrists and forearms. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 16, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      Ha, there is yoga for everything!

      Reply
  7. Aaliziyah

    August 15, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    I type a lot. Because of that, my wrists sometimes get strained. Thank you so much for sharing this one! I feel like it can really help me

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 16, 2020 at 4:23 pm

      for sure! Give this a try!

      Reply
  8. Lyosha

    August 15, 2020 at 11:38 am

    Great workout! It might be super useful for me when I am stuck typing 24/7 (what it feels like). I need to try lotus mudra!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      August 20, 2020 at 2:56 pm

      Hahaha I can relate! I seem to be spending more time on the computer than the yoga mat!

      Reply

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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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