I'm not generally an exercise video kind of gal... but I watched this one (only 17min) while at work - shh don't tell my boss - and thought, hm this looks like something I might actually do! So thanks for the recommendation!
All the stretches are just better, more formal versions of the little things I already do to relieve stress and tension from my neck and shoulders.
So I figured if I'm asking Isabel to stretch and use her body more correctly, it's only fair that I give it a try myself. And whadya know - following along with the video was actually not too bad! The stretches at the beginning and end definitely felt good (snap crackle pop!). The stuff in the middle... well the best I can say about it was that it was short haha.But seriously tho, the stretches/exercises are all aimed exactly at the areas that suffer from slouching - and the relief is immediate. Repetition over time is necessary for lasting effects probably... but I liked it enough to highlight the video again for anyone who didn't see Hawk's comment. 
I'm still pretty excited about this little gadget - and will write about it once I've used it. But in the meantime, I'm going to run through those stretches regularly too. I mean, it's kinda like dressage, right? Gadgets can help - but won't make a bit of a difference if the muscles themselves aren't properly conditioned and in working order ... What about you - do you have any go-to routines for getting ready to ride? Or surviving the 9-5, 40hr/wk desk job drill?
Let us know how that shoulder gadget works. My husband had a riding lesson earlier today and he was sad when I showed him the picture of himself riding. He noted the too-forward shoulders. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat about lying on top of a foam roller with your spine parallel to the roller? It really opens up your chest. I remember an exercise like that from pilates from several years ago.
aw i know your husband's pain! i did a dressage schooling a month or so ago where i felt like a total queen. then i looked at pictures and... just no. womp womp. but pictures are good for telling us exactly what we need to work on so, just onwards and upwards right?
Deletenice idea about the foam roller too. i don't have one of those, but my running friends all swear by them
I'm also really curious about the shoulder gadget! I remember reading a review somewhere (not sure where) saying that it was totally awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that saved my posture was standing instead of sitting at work. I never thought I'd be one of those "standing-desk-people," but my back muscles and posture improved almost immediately! Now it feels weird trying to do work while I'm sitting down.
i kinda love the idea of a standing desk honestly - tho i doubt my boss would let us use the budget for adapting our furniture to the task... plus i'm kinda lazy lol. but maybe one day?
DeleteA couple of classmates use an exercise ball chair for core strength (I'm lazy- and don't want to fall off if I fall asleep in class). I alternate between my default slouching and sitting up straight/engaging my core at my desk. If I'm doing something that involves standing around (slow day at work, microscopy exam, surgery) I do calf raises just to keep moving.
ReplyDeleteI have a bad hips so I do really awkward lunges (in the privacy of the tack room) to stretch out my hips before I ride.
i love the idea of using an exercise ball as a chair - but even the biggest ones on the market are still too small for my desk. womp womp...
Deletenice idea about doing lunges before riding. seems like a good way to limber up!
Glad you liked the video! Fitness Blender has a ton of yoga/stretching videos too - and all free!
ReplyDeletei LOVE the video - thanks so much for recommending it!
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