Yoga for Opening the Shoulders 

This sequence is timeless! Now 10+ years later I am finding relief after hours of working at a computer. Self care for those working from home is paramount. 🙏 Namaste

Why did it take me so long to find this video???? The exercises are perfect!

11 years later. But I love this. I can literally feel my back

ahahah I know I'm 10 years late, but this is my first day and it has already made a difference. The 3 weeks starts now for sure :)

Truly the best shoulder stretch sequence I ever found. Short and sweet. It can't get better than that!

Still the best shoulder openers on the web

This was posted 10 years ago? Girl, I'm still doing it with you for three weeks!

This sequence is the best I have found to release the tension in my upper back and neck. It’s a real challenge to do them all but it works like a dream! Thank you🙏🏼🤩

I’m doin this in 2020. 🙏💕

I have been watching this video for about 8 years. Thank you for helping me find relief with my neck and shoulder pain.

I am always in so much pain with my neck and shoulders because of degenerative disc. These exercises really stretch it out and though I am sore it feels better and I know will continue to get even better over time. Thank you for doing these videos! :)

Another *Golden Oldie*, the exercise is as still as good! Works well in the office to open up the shoulders. #yoga

Easy to follow. No loud music or distractions. Thank you.

I came across this video years ago when I had an injury in the base of my neck. I remember that it helped a lot. Recently - well, 2 months ago now - I revisited this video because I was getting a neck and shoulder pain from computer work. Wow! I forgot how wonderful this little sequence is! Every morning before work I do it now. I haven't had neck pain or headaches at all since I started back up. I'm still struggling to hold cow-faced pose on one side, but lately more days than not I can hold it the whole time Esther does.

I've Been Doing This Sequence For The Last Six Years And It Works Like A Charm!!

OMG that was effing amazing! I can breath better and deeper

This has really truly helped me with my frozen shoulder problem. I've had issue with my right shoulder and various other exercises haven't helped - unless I stumbled upon your video. What a difference it made! I'm at least 85% better thanks to your awesome video. Thanks!

I've done this for a little over three weeks now, and i'm gonna keep going. Its been very good for my upper bodies mobility. I have never felt eagle arms did anything for me but its cause i never dropped my shoulders while doing it till i saw this. Thanks again

This is a daily practice for me! Like it if you’re doing it daily too!

I'm one week in and my chronic shoulder pains are disappearing, seriously i was considering surgery. The arms crossing over is what i think has helped, to get my rear deltoids stretched out. Best routine for me, as it is curing pain that no physio could do. Thank you

thank you EkhartYoga! These daily exercises help melt away anxiety and are a perfect complement to aqua-fit. Having arthritic stiffness, these exercises are my 55+ road to health and fitness. Thank you!

Thank you for sharing this video. I'm a paraplegic who uses her manual wheelchair a lot. My shoulders get stiff and I'm enjoying the stretch this gives my shoulders. It feels like they're opening up and that gives me more range of motion!

6 years layter i am still doing it !! Thank you !

I’ve been doing it for more than three weeks now and I feel better. I’m not going to stop! Thank you Esther!

Thank you so much, Ms Ekhart! I am 5 days in, and already my tight old left shoulder is loosening up. I can now clasp hands behind my backs with the left arm down and right arm up. This is new and exciting! Thank you again for your generosity

Thank you for this shoulder opener!! I found this video 3 months ago - I broke my left collarbone in a ski scooter accident 9 months ago and was slowly, slowly rebuilding my upper body strength and flexibility AND this video challenged me and inspired me...as did your pre running yoga (the whole family) when I took up jogging again after 12 years of just swimming, walking, weights, aerobics, yoga, etc! Anyway, I persevered with this video for 3 weeks and now I CAN do a standing Backbend! THANK you for your wonderful videos!

wonderful stretch while sitting at your desk

You're a lifesaver, my shoulders feel so much better. I'm starting my three week program today.

Thank you so much! I am a 68 year old male thats been lifting weights and working manual labor jobs sine I was a teen. Years of the weight bearing and gravity has caused me shoulder problems mostly impingement in both. Also been suffering from bursitis and tendonitis. I have been hanging from a pullup bar to open them up and create more room. I still was feeling a forward pull of tightness and pain in the front of my left shoulder. I did just 2 of these stretches that you illustrated and within 5 minutes tightness and pain was relieved. I woke up today with some soreness from the stretching but that is diminishing. The overhead movements with the band is what helped me. I will now work on the other ones you illustrated.

They all felt so good I didn't want it to end!

I just started this today 6 Jan 2021. Glad I found you. I have stiff shoulders so I will keep with this as recommended. Thanks for your easy description and easy manner. X

I just found this video a couple of weeks ago and I've managed to do it about every other day. I'm extremely tight and sore. I dream of being able to touch my hands together behind my back. I think it will take me a year of stretching to get there. I've noticed small improvements already and a slight decrease in pain and stiffness. I'm going to continue because it feels good to be looser. I want to add that this is in no way easy or painless. Even the smallest movement is terribly painful but the pain is worth it to me because I feel a little better. I'm excited to see how far I get in a month. I've done the video off and on for 4 months now and I'm about half way to getting into the last pose. Before just putting my arms behind my back hurt a LOT. Now it hurts a lot to put it halfway there. :) It's 2020 and I still return to this video for a great stretch. I'm about halfway there now but before I could barely put my hand behind my back and I was in extreme pain. About half the pain and about half where I need to be. I'll continue to use this as part of my self care. 👍

This is working wonders for my back pain. Thank you!

One of the greatest of all time

I love this video! I know that this was posted almost 10 years ago and I discovered it a few years ago. I'm a kayak guide, so shoulder stretching is very important for me. I still do this video a few times each week, along with Esther's more recent one to stretch shoulders (this one from 2010 has a few more stretches that I really like), and find these stretches so beneficial. Also, Esther is one of my favorite yoga instructors. Her voice is so lovely and instruction so simple and easy-to-follow. What she does is always genuine and from the heart. She has helped so many people towards being the best versions of themselves. I can't thank the Ekhart Yoga community enough!

Glad I found this, doing it this 2021, i did it the other day and I notice that my shoulder is much more aligned. So i promised ill do this every single day no matter how busy my school life is

WOAH those were intense. Great strecthes though, really helped me with my shoulder injury. I will have to come back to this series of stretches. Thank you!

9 years on and this is suggested to me, better late than never! Wow.... I do Calisthenics and had a hard time with most of these, you're so flexible. I will be doing this every day and let you know how I'm getting on in a few weeks.

Hi I’ve been doing it to open my shoulders and chest so I can get a straight line for handstands. I can’t do handstands cause I’m super stif at the moment but keeping doing this many times

Thanks for this, Esther. Stay blessed! This is the first yoga clip I found that didn't put me on sleep 😂 on my third day!

thx for sharing this, I also hv hard time backbending due to closed-shoulders. I will keep doing it.

This hurt SO GOOD. It hit the middle part of my back that usually gets ignored.

I am getting more flexibility in my shoulders. Yay! a week ago I needed a yoga strap to do eagle arms, but today I was able to do it without a strap. Also, I was able to get my hands in prayer pose today. I have been doing this on and off for about 5 weeks and now I wish I had done it everyday like you suggested. Yay! I am in tears. Thank you so much!

Every time I have a migraine, this specific set of exercises is one of the only things that helps alleviate the pain. I'm not sure why, but it's always works. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am recovering from shoulder injuries and these exercises feel so good! Thank you Esther.

I had left shoulder pain and back pain for two years. This simple routine got it under control. Thanks so much Esther.

Thank you!. I am always tense from anxiety. This Definitely helped

This is amazing after sitting at the computer all day

Discovering this 10 years later but still works its magic on my tight shoulders

Hi Esther, I found your video yesterday and took on your 3 week challenge (10 years too late). Thank you so much for this video. It really relieved my pain in my shoulder and my golfer´s arm. I think this is just what I needed.

*An old video of Esther, but still a very helpful exercise to open up!* Yoga for Opening the Shoulders

Have been doing it for several months, although not everyday. Thank you!

It's 330am and my back left side is in so much pain. I've started to do this, my back pain is ruining my life and I have to sort it out. No one else is going to help me. Thank you for your video

Thank you for doing these good videos. It really helps me.

Day three, Wooooo! That reverse prayer hands is tricky! I am looking forward to our next class 🤓🙏🏼✌🏻️ Thanks Esther

Thanks again! Some will take time but much appreciated!

I've been doing those exercises with her for almost 10 years now and my body is totally different from my family who doesn't practice any exercise. Its amazing !

Thank you so much! This really helped my shoulders and upper back loosen up!

I am doing it at home with my boyfriend. It really helps relieve shoulder pain.

Thanks so much for the video. I'll give this tag try for 3 weeks. Really hoping it helps. I am so inflexible :(

I am so grateful for this. I could hardly move it hurt so much and I did it once in the morning and the next day I still had pain but I could move again. I am inspired and will keep doing them.

Posted 9 years ago and I’m just starting my 3 weeks now... have always had tightness in my shoulders. Thank you for your guidance during this time of introspection for the world!

This is my favourite shoulder opening video! Great sequence and it's easy to fit into a busy day of work. Your voice is very soothing. I have done a few 21-day circles and shared your video with many of my friends. I can see huge improvement over time. Keep up your great work!

Great video! I’ll keep doing this also because sitting like that was a big challenge for my knees

Wonderful sequence, so effective and so helpful. Thank you. You have such a lovely way of presenting and are so calming and encouraging. Thank you. Sandra

I recently had a rotator cuff injury and I finally felt able to return to my practice with it, this video did WONDERS. Thank you :)

I love your tone of voice! Glad that I found a best teacher!

I needed a good stretch before working today. I do a lot of computer work. Thank you. I will be doing this for 3 weeks. Possibly more. Feels good!

I have been doing this for a year now, sometimes daily. It has pretty much saved my life. I had extreme dystonia/fascia issues and trigger points. I have managed to work a lot of them off. I still have some way to go to perfectly normal. But I can't thank you enough Ester. You helped save me. If somebody isn't doing this exercise, you need to start doing it.

Great release for all the tight muscles from lifting heavy

😮never gets old. I love it

I know that's been a long time since you've posted this video. But i'm doing this 3 weeks challenge. Thank you sooo much for your motivational vibes

Esther this is an extremely effective practice to strengthen shoulders, back and spine. Thank you for sharing it with all. 🌟

You are not alone dear Esther, I am doing these exercises with you and loving it. Thank you very much. Love and blessings. This is Rohini from India.

This video is the absolute best. I've been doing it on and off for ten years, but I'm finally going to do it for a week now. We'll see how it goes!

Thank you I really needed this helped my golf swing move to next level blessings

mmmmmm this feels SO GOOD!

You have such a lovely, calm, and simple manner of guiding us through the stretches. Thank you so much.

Short, simple and effective, thank you @Esther 🙏🏽😊

Can't believe I've been following and learning from you since 2012 :O You were a lifesaver then Esther and you continue to be. Happy New Year xx

I just came across this video! Very refreshing! Thank YOU! I wish I had found you sooner! I will try this for the next couple of weeks.

Day 2 for me and my shoulders are feeling lubricated!

You are a lovely woman. Thank you

Amazing. Wonder why I could not find this video sooner. I have the same issue on upper back. This helps!

I'm trying it. I can only do cow faced arms on one side; I hope this improves the other side. Two years later, I am so much more flexible, thank you.

Also coming in way late, but this is amazing - totally helped open my shoulders.

Because of carrying my bag pack on the right left for 2 years , now it’s felt down , im doing this exercises to fix my posture and my shoulders assymetry i’ll update you , i have no doubts this is not going to work , so im grateful that i have found this video , moreover it makes me feel good thanks 😊 🙏

Hello Esther , like your youga verry much ,i am from Sweden ,have a Nice weekend ,Britt Marie

Still doing this routine.....so great for my shoulder mobility 😊

Thanks madam for telling New exercise for shoulder

Found this recently, and it's perfect for what I need right now. This is day two for me. I plan to stick with it. Thanks!

Thank you that was great!

Ive been using this for over 10 years now! Whenever I'm tight I return because it's magic for opening up. Thank You! 😊

This not only opens my shoulders and chest....I can feel my mind opening as well. I find it very challenging because I get quite tight in these areas, but even just doing one of the exercises makes me feel 10% better, physically and mentally. Doing all the exercises makes me feel like a new person! Thank you so much for sharing. Will try to do this for 5 days in a row. (Have to make small goals!)

Hey . Hi ... iam doing on my own my watching ur vedio . THANK U SO MUCH .

Oh how I love you! I hadn't seen any of your videos for a few years now! So glad I came back across this one! 🙌

Day 1✅ Day 2 ✅ Day 3 ✅ Day 4 ✅ Day 5 ✅ Day 6 ✅ Day 7 ✅ Day 8 ✅ Day 9 ✅ Day 10 ✅ Day 11 ✅ Day 12 ✅ Day 13 ✅ Day 14 ✅ Day 15 ✅ Day 16 ✅ Day 17 ✅ Day 18 ✅ Day 19 ✅

This helped ease my asthma and allergy symptoms. 😊

Thanks for sharing such great stretches. It’s really helping the mobility in my upper body.

Very late but this is a wonderful video for my hunched over tired shoulders.Will try to do 3 weeks.