12/24/2023 0 Comments Latissimus dorsi stretchAs we will see in subsequent posts, the latissimus is critical to backbending in yoga as it has a role in extending the spine that is often lost due to improper alignment. The latissimus dorsi along with the psoas major and piriformis, are the only muscles connecting the extremities to the spine. Good posture is determined by a free swinging arm. The same restriction occurs when we jam the arms back to “stand up straight” for better posture. Tilt the top of your pelvis forward a bit and see if you feel the hang of the arm. If your pelvis is tucked under the shoulder joint is restricted. This is key to upright posture and especially key to optimal functioning. The arm is meant to hang from the shoulder. All three of these disrespect the amazing freedom the shoulder allows us. This is the essence of what is known as military posture as well as Mom’s classic lament, and unfortunately from my perspective an essential instruction of most yoga teachers. In our minds two main things are restricting this freedom- a tucked pelvis, and the age old instruction “take your shoulders back”. So we have moved from compression to suspension and finally freedom as now the arm hangs from the shoulder, free to move in any and every direction. Browse this and over 2000 other exercises in. Learn how to do this exercise: PASSIVE LATISSIMUS DORSI STRETCH. As creatures evolved and moved up into the trees to swing from branches our entire body was hanging from the arm. How to do PASSIVE LATISSIMUS DORSI STRETCH. When the first creatures slithered out of the primordial muck to move along the earth, arms developed and the full weight of the body sat on the shoulder and “arm”. Let’s go back to evolution and the shoulder. Another way of looking at it is the latissimus dorsi were our swinging from the trees muscle. It can pull the body up for climbing or depress the arm against resistance. It untwists when the arm lifts which increases both its ability to stretch and generate force. For example, vertical arm swings or moving the shoulders in a circular, shrugging motion are great dynamic stretches for the upper body. These are active movements that stretches the lat muscles and joints through their full range of motion. Anatomically there is an interesting twist to the latissimus dorsi- the insertion is literally twisted when the arm is down by your side. Dynamic latissimus dorsi stretches are best before your workout begins. So while just this one muscle connects the arm to the spine and pelvis, it is enormous (latissimus means broad). The latissimus dorsi are massive muscles that connect all the way down to your pelvis. You can use these anatomical attachments to more effectively stretch the lats.There is only one muscle connecting the arms to the spine, the latissimus dorsi –also known as the lats. Since the lats attach into your lower back, your low back positioning will affect the stretch you have on your lats. It begins all the way down in your lower back and attaches onto your arm bone (humerus) to create shoulder joint internal rotation and extension. The name 'latissimus dorsi', which is the technical name for the lats, literally means broadest muscle of the back. The lats literally attach your low back to your arms. However obvious this may seem, frequently when people try to stretch the lats, they feel tightness on the top of their shoulder, which is an indication the lats aren't being stretched, the shoulder joint is getting to its end range of motion (meaning the bones of the shoulder are the limiting factor). The biggest thing you want to make sure you are doing when you are stretching the lats is.stretching the lats. Understanding the basic anatomy of the lats is important to know how to effectively stretch the muscle without irritating the joint by over-stressing it.
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