Pranayama chest in the way at the start

Hello Nita-Rose

You know, it’s great that you recognise that your shoulders are hunching when you bring your elbows together! Never fear. We’ll work this out pronto.

Let me first confirm that you are only bringing your arms together in front of the chest before you actually start the exercise.

You see, that’s the hardest time to get the elbows together for so many people, when they’re standing there getting ready to take the first inhale. Once the arms get above the head, then on each and every successive exhale the elbows end up together while your head is back, and your arms are lifted high up off the chest. So theoretically large breasts are not going to make a difference to the exercise once you’ve started.

Can you confirm that what I have said is correct for you?

And if it is, then here’s the solution: When you stand there in readiness for the pose, get your fingers interlocked under the chin. With your shoulders down and your neck long, chin parallel to the floor, only bring your elbows as close to the midline as they can be, AS LONG AS the shoulders are down (not hunched) the neck is long and the chin is parallel to the floor.

That starting point of elbows together is a nice-to-have element. The much more important part is to have shoulders down and torso long.

I hope that clarifies what you need. If it doesn’t, then please give me some more details!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂