I was reminded recently of this wonderful stretch that you can do to open the chest and shoulder. Try it while adding the breath and awareness of the sensations throughout the upper body. Be sure to find the range of motion that works for you where you can feel the stretch but where there is no pain.

Many people have injuries or surgeries leading to tightness, stiffness and pain in the chest and shoulder. And if you don’t now, you might at some point in the future.

This is a wonderful stretch that you can do on a daily basis to begin to release the tightness and open up the muscles in this part of the body. It can even help break down scar tissue.

Find a column or door jam in your home. Stand so that your arm is extended and then turn the feet and hips away from your hand to the point that you can feel the stretch in your shoulder and through the chest.

Then, take a few deep breaths to energize the chest and shoulder and bring oxygen to this part of the body.

If the stretch is too intense, modify by bringing the hand lower on the door jam. Keep adjusting the placement of the hand until it’s right for you.

Be sure to do both sides even if one side has more tightness or pain than the other.

Do this stretch on a daily basis even for just a few breaths and allow the the upper body to slowly up once again.