In Mountain Pose, which cue describes shoulder positioning?

In Mountain Pose, which cue describes shoulder positioning?

• A. Relax your shoulder blades down your back
• B. Draw your shoulders up toward your ears
• C. Protract the shoulders forward
• D. Press the shoulders toward the chest

Answer: (A)

In Mountain Pose, shoulder position sets the foundation for a long spine, open chest, and steady breath. The cue to relax the shoulder blades down the back communicates a softened, supported shoulder girdle—soft enough to keep the neck long and the chest accessible, while still engaged with the back body for grounding. This placement helps the shoulders stay away from the ears, which preserves posture and ease in the hips and rib cage. Imagine what happens if you lift the shoulders toward the ears: tension climbs into the neck, breath can become shallow, and the upper body shortens. Protracting the shoulders forward rounds the upper back, undermining the upright mountain shape. Pressing the shoulders toward the chest tightens the ribcage and can crowd the breath. So keeping the shoulder blades relaxed down the back is the most supportive cue for a stable, open, and breathable Mountain Pose.

In Mountain Pose, shoulder position sets the foundation for a long spine, open chest, and steady breath. The cue to relax the shoulder blades down the back communicates a softened, supported shoulder girdle—soft enough to keep the neck long and the chest accessible, while still engaged with the back body for grounding. This placement helps the shoulders stay away from the ears, which preserves posture and ease in the hips and rib cage.

Imagine what happens if you lift the shoulders toward the ears: tension climbs into the neck, breath can become shallow, and the upper body shortens. Protracting the shoulders forward rounds the upper back, undermining the upright mountain shape. Pressing the shoulders toward the chest tightens the ribcage and can crowd the breath. So keeping the shoulder blades relaxed down the back is the most supportive cue for a stable, open, and breathable Mountain Pose.