LITHE GOAL OF THE WEEK! 24 Sep 2012

Now that you've spent a week concentrating on keeping your abdominals tight during class,  it's time to slide those shoulders down. Sometimes the stress of our work week has them creeping up to our ears, and we don't even notice it! Take a moment right now to be mindful of your shoulders. Where are they? Probably hunched over, or in a permanent shrug. Slide them down and feel the immediate releasing sensation throughout your body. Do the same in class. Whether you're at the bands, barre or mat, take moments to be mindful of where your shoulders are.

That simple adjustment is the key to unlocking your core.  Shoulder and scapular stabilization/placement is so important.  It's one of the major form issues that we see on most Lithers. Not only is it crucial for a healthy back, but it stabilizes our shoulder girdle while it strengthens our abs, lower back, along with the hip, and lateral trunk muscles while decompressing and stretching the spine. 

Strengthening these muscles helps our entire lower half function more efficiently, gives you the results that you're working so hard for, and it greatly reduces your risk of lower-back injury.  Remember to use your lats to slide your shoulders down and into a "V!" 

Image of Lither, Jaclyn Kunkel wearing Lithe's Ultra Support Performance Bra via Dom