Where is My Rotator Cuff and Why Does it Matter?
Healthy, pliable rotator cuff muscles are imperative to powering your shoulders. Try these simple techniques to get them back online.
I’ve been thinking lately about how powerful this singular, easy rotator cuff technique (video below) is for three different reasons:
It makes you realize that the rotator cuff is not an ambiguous, delicate area that can only be understood by pros. It’s yours and it’s tangible. And it’s made up of just four different muscles.
It empowers you to take charge of any aches or tweaks you might sense in your shoulder in a super accessible way. You can find it, feel it and feel your tension melting out of it.
It awakens you to how connected this area is to the mobility of your shoulders and even your neck. And, you might end up surprised by how much better your whole upper body feels after releasing it.
In addition to the rotator cuff, the technique included in this post today addresses the tricep group. Check out the below image on how intimately connected the rotator cuff and triceps are, and you’ll see why it makes sense to transition your pressure from the rotator to the triceps for maximal benefit.
This technique shows up in SO many of my classes, but the key to working its tension out well (and every other spot we work, too) is doing it slowly, with patience. These one-off techniques here on Substack are great tools for your toolbox, but combing through tension takes patience. Going slowly and approaching your tension thoroughly is the most effective and efficient way to release that tension. Do you find that you move too quickly when you roll?
Let me help—come take live classes with me. I teach them seasonally in 4-5 week sessions and my Summer Session starts TONIGHT, August 1st. Every Thursday night for 5 weeks, tune in on Zoom to my live, in-person foam rolling classes and let’s slowly, thoroughly comb through your spots together! Clas
ses are 60 minutes long and trust me, you wouldn’t want them to be any less than that! Drop-ins are available now, so check your calendar and sign yourself up for an incredible hour of self care.
This technique is one of my greatest achievements. 😄 Seriously—being able to teach you how to mobilize your shoulder by way of relaxing the rotator cuff (and, in this video, the tricep) is maybe the thing I was put on this planet to do. The only thing you’ve got to remember is that your shoulder is circular. You’ve got a back, a front, a top, a bottom and ALL the small angles in between. If you sense that your whole shoulder girdle needs to hit the reset button, grab my Foam Rolling for Neck and Shoulder Relief Masterclass. It’s 90 minutes total and might just change your life.
If you’re reading this on Substack and you’re NOT subscribed to my bi-weekly technique newsletter, come! Every other week I release a free foam rolling technique for you that’s useful, effective and easy to follow. 💛
I’m enjoying Summer so much with my soon-to-be KINDERGARTNER! It’s such a fun and sweet time. Thank you all for your support and trust in me. I hope to see you in the Summer Series—drop me a comment with any questions you have.