Three Poses for Tight Shoulders

Three Poses for Tight Shoulders

Most shoulder tension isn’t just “tight muscles”, it’s your nervous system holding on. Here are three gentle shapes that help the upper body soften without forcing anything:

1. Thread the Needle
Creates space between the shoulder blades and encourages the upper back to release.

2. Cactus Arms (supine or standing)
Opens the chest and front shoulders, especially if you spend a lot of time rounding forward.

3. Puppy Pose
A supported way to lengthen the arms and soften the upper back without dropping into the lower spine.

Move slowly. Stay curious. Let the shoulders melt rather than stretch.