Alvin - Session #2

This session summary came a little late, as I was overseas for training. There was limited internet access and frankly I didn't even have time to sleep... so sadly I couldn't update my blog as much as I wished.

2nd session with Alvin focused a lot on instilling proper movement patterns in the shoulder joint. Instead of giving Alvin a quick fix by just telling him how to stand properly (he could have easily find an answer by himself through the www), I aimed to solve the root cause of his postural problem. Afterall, Alvin's poor posture was not formed over-night. It was rather created by repeated bad movement habits over a long period of time. Since Alvin is unable to stabilise his shoulders, especially during shoulder flexion and abduction, his upper trapezius is often overly recruited and tension start to build up around his neck area. Therefore my first step was to ensure Alvin moves his shoulders properly before moving on to correct his posture in the lower body. This is just like making sure a chemisty student to learn how to balance a chemical equation before teaching them the mole concept.

Exercises:
1. Review of #1's exercises
2. Shoulder Roll (moving shoulders front, centre, back, centre) - Shoulder Isolation exercise to enhancing neuromuscular awareness to control and stabilise shoulders
3. Side Kick: learn to stabilist shoulders (shoulders away from ears) in lateral position (while lying sideway). This is a great exercise to strengthen the stabilising muscles (lower trapezius and latissimus dorsi) for the shoulder joint and educate the body to isolate upper body and keep it stabilised while moving the lower body.
4. Prone Press-up: Fantastic strengthening for the upper back/postural muscles; soften and stretch chest muscles; reinforce shoulder stabilisation while in extension (bending the body backwards).