Like many desk workers, I deal with near-constant stiffness in my shoulders. Spending most days hunched over my laptop, tightness inevitably creeps in, so I’m always looking for ways to undo the damage.
That’s why I was excited to see that Adriene Mishler, better known online as Yoga With Adriene, has shared a new routine focused on shoulder and wrist mobility.
With more than 13 million followers on YouTube, Mishler has been my go-to for yoga at home for a decade. While she posts a variety of yoga practices, her gentle movement and stretching sessions tend to be my favorite.
How to do Yoga With Adriene’s shoulder and wrist mobility routine
You don’t need any equipment to do this routine, although if you have sensitive knees, a yoga mat, folded blanket or towel will be welcome padding for the kneeling sections.
What I thought of Yoga With Adriene’s new routine for shoulder and wrist mobility
At just 10 minutes long, it was the perfect mini break from work, providing both physical and mental relief from my desk job.
I often find yoga practices that target the shoulders offer satisfying stretches in the moment, but the tension creeps back in soon after sitting at my desk.
This practice felt different, as it included simple poses that intentionally mobilized the shoulders and wrists, moving them through different planes and ranges of motion.
As I did them, I felt my shoulders relaxing and I realised I was holding more tension in my wrists than I realized.
When I sat back at my desk, and after a few satisfying cracks in my upper back, I noticed my shoulders felt more relaxed with significantly less pain.
This quick practice is one I’ll definitely come back to for instant relief, whenever my shoulders feel tight. I'll also be incorporating these movements into my regular routine to develop lasting mobility and reduce stiffness for good.
