Stylist Shoulders

In the last Posture And Alignment course, all the participants were dealing with discomfort, pain or some limitation of range of motion in the shoulders. These stylists were exhibiting symptoms almost all of us have experienced. By applying the knowledge and skills they gained in the course, Patricia, Damian and Jade will restore functional movement in their shoulders, and bodies in general, in and out of the salon.

Here are some insights that were shared in the course...

• The shoulders refers to not just what is most visible, the ball and socket joint. The shoulder girdle includes the collar bones, the shoulder blades and the arm. The shoulder blades and arm positions are obviously important for without them, no hair would be done.
  
• The blades attach to the body at only one bony point. Muscles connect the blades to the arms, therefore no action of the arm is possible without the blades. Muscles attached all around the blades must be developed uniformly, versus what is commonly found: elevating muscular overworked, depressing muscular underworked.
  
• Arm position and movement needs to be controlled in the blade/back area rather than the shoulder and elbow joints. Shoulder blades need to pulled down as if the tips were being put in pockets on the hips. Arm design while working will often include the elbow being lifted to the sides of the room versus the floor.
  
• The blades move in 4 basic motions: up (elevation), (depression) down, forward (protraction) and back (retraction). The blades also upwardly and downward rotate in relation to the lifting and lowering of the arm.
  
• Conscientious stylists will expend time and effort to develop the opposing muscles in the back, and near the blades in particular, to combat the overuse of the pectorals prevalent in stylist lifted/arm forward position.
  

In the course, a few of the simple but effective exercises shared were...

Shoulder shrugs: Lift the shoulders as close to the ears as possible. Pull the shoulders low until you feel the armpit and side muscles engage.

Shoulder rolls: Make circles forward and in reverse.

Shoulder blade squeeze: Pull blades together in back as close as possible then release. Arms may be lifted chest high in front or on the side of the body. Imagine you are trying to crack a pencil with the blades.

Triangle Pull To W: With arms chest high, make a put index fingers and thumbs together, forming a triangle. Pull the arms to the sides in a "W" position, elbows alongside the torso with wrists and hands in a straight line above elbows.

*These exercises are provided here for the physically healthy. Discontinue these movements and/or consult your physician if you experience any pain.

Pilates For Stylists invites stylists to come and experience Pilates at Synergy Studio for Final Friday. Its Free at 5 pm March 28!