THE SHOULDERS & NECK

Study Questions 1. What bones are included in the shoulder girdle? 2. Describe some landmarks on the scapula. 3. What is the significance of the brachial plexus? 4. Describe the trapezius muscle. What are its actions? 5. What are the three muscular teams that support the scapula? 6. Describe the rotator cuff, naming the four muscles if you can. What is the most common rotator cuff injury? 7. Describe the pectoralis major, deltoid and latissimus dorsi muscles and how they move the arms. 8. Name the main shoulder muscles of Chaturanga Dandasana and how they balance each other. 9. Describe the sternocleidomastoid, the scalenes, longus colli and the splenius muscles and how each moves the neck. 10. Think of cues you would use to encourage good shoulder and neck alignment in a variety of poses. 11. Design a warm-up practice that will help a stiff new student understand and feel the correct shoulder actions required for Adho Mukha Shvanasana, Plank Pose, Chaturanga Dandasana and Bhujangasana.

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