Yoga for strong Shoulders and Arms

I first got into yoga because I’m not into the gym or working out. I was more of an “arty” kid, rather than a “sporty” kid. So this whole Shavasana, total relaxation and movement just totally made me into a forever fan of yoga. 

However now as I progress in my yoga practice, I notice that I am so limited in my asana practice due to my poor upper body strength. No let me rephrase this, I have zero upper body strength and core strength for that matter (still working on this). 

There’s a part of me that wants to be cool, like “I don’t care that I can’t do xyz pose” but there’s also a part of me that craves knowing what it feels like to be able to do a headstand comfortably, or a handstand. 

It could be due to being so heavily influenced by social media (hi! instagram addict over here), it could be my secret sense of competitiveness (most probably). I’m no power yoga or ashtanga yogi, I’d try both but I know that my body needs a less intense practice most of the time. 

I do believe though that you’d benefit from having a stronger upper body for life in general, to pick up all of your groceries in one loads from the car to your front door for example. Ok I see how silly (maybe sexist this remark is) so here are some other benefits to having a stronger upper body:

• Improve your posture
• Reduces risk of injury
• Help prevent upper back, neck and shoulder pain.

There’s so much focus in Japan on yoga for dieting, in a country where people are so thin the focus should be on strength rather than weight loss. 

I’ll cover the topic of weight loss and yoga in another blog,  I have lost weight due to yoga in the past. Bearing in mind I was practicing yoga in Thailand, where its very hot and humid for about 3.5 hours a day, x6 days a week and I only ate 2 veggie meals a day (I was on a budget, otherwise I would have eaten 3 meals a day + snacks!). 

Unless you’re a workout machine, this isn’t really sustainable for everyday life, with commitments like work or studies or just you know life in general. 

So this yoga class will focus on the arms and shoulders, it is also ok for total beginners (you have to start from somewhere). If a pose isn’t working out for you, modify it to your need to give it a try first and then move on if it doesn’t suit you. 

Any wrist injuries, avoid those that may strain them further, you’re your number one teacher after all. 

Do you also want to become stronger in your yoga practice? Let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy

Lots of love

Nanaco