Who can relax my shoulders?

doonrocket

doonrocket

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Any ideas for excercises or techniques that can help me relax more through my shoulders? My riding position is generally OK but when I see myself on video, I often tense up through the muscles across the top of my shoulders , which then goes onto to effect all kinds of things. It tends to happen more at competitions or when I'm tired.

I can't afford a masseuse to follow me round!
 
When you're riding and you notice you're tensing and hunching your shoulders you could do some arm swings to loosen them up while you give you and your horse a breather to relax. Bring one arm up to chest level from your side, then swing back as far as comfortable, then forwards and over behind you. Do this a few times and switch arms.

I find this helps me if I'm getting tense during a schooling session. Hope you find it useful :)
 
This is a cute tip and really works.
A lot of the time we tense because we don't breathe properly as suggested by other posters.
When you ride, rise to the trot singing out loud but to yourself, Mary had a little lamb, it's fleece was white as snow etc to the rhythm of the trot and you will find your shoulders instantly relax as you are unable to hold you breath as before!
If you feel a bit of a prawn having a go, keep your volume down if you are in company and then when it works and they see the difference, pass the tip on:)
Good luck
Bryndu
 
to relax the muscles on the top of your shoulders you need to raise your shoulders to your ears, hold it for 20 seconds then drop them slowly. Repeat 3 times. By tensing the shoulders purposely you remind them to relax. But keep your chin back and head straight.
 
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