Evil shoulder openers!

Such a brilliant class. I remember doing it years ago for a painful shoulder but had forgotten it. Found it again today after suffering from dreadful pain and stiffness in my right shoulder and upper arm for the last couple of weeks. I shall go back to doing it regularly. Great instructions!

Love this class, I revisit it often to alleviate migraines, headaches, stress and tension that build up in my shoulders and neck. It's been a lifesaver!!

Thank you, Julie, for a very interesting class, especially as I have been waking up 3 days in a row now with a headache due to some neck-shoulder issues occurring during the night. Some of these poses I have tried before and not found them to be useful or working, but this time, with your instructions they worked brilliantly. A couple of questions, though. I rarely feel a lot of tension in the back of / around my scapula and in some poses tension or tightness seems to be rather in the front to side of the upper arm. I am guessing the stretch is felt where the tension is at is strongest, or am I completely wrong in this assumption? Especially the last pose, no stretch or (dis)comfort felt on the back, only in the front upper arm, where it meets the shoulder. Again, am I doing something majorly wrong or is this simply where tension is stored for me, and should I keep working with this? I would really appreciate your feedback on this.

"Evil" is the right word! ;) Thank you, Julie!

Wonderful tutorial with detailed instructions. Thank you!

I first watched this video a couple of times, then wrote the exercises down to be able to do them at my own pace, which i have now done daily for about ten days. I have had a locked right shoulder with a lot of pain and decreased mobility for ten years and pain in my thoracic spine all my life. I have been to chiropractors, naprapaths, have had acupuncture, physiotherapy, done strength building exercises as well as yoga for fifteen years. Nothing has helped with the shoulder and thoracic spine. Now that I have done all of these exercises for ten days, my shoulder has opened up and i can even do gomukasana with the right arm at the bottom which I haven't even been near before, the pain has decreased as well as the pain in the thoracic spine. These exercises have improved my life quality and I am SO grateful for this practice. THANK YOU, Julie Martin and Ekhart yoga for this life changing practise!!

This is sooo good. I can knit much more now... ;-)

Thanks Julie! or better my shoulders, neck and upper arms thank you, really like the coverage of this tutorial and I can see incorporating it to my practice, love the last one and the connexion between feet and upper arm, be able to work rotator caff muscle and biceps is superb! I imagine that doing the arms spiral movements ( your classes :)) do some of the work for caff muscle-muscles upper arms ? Thanks again, Just what I needed and need!!!

wow, thank you that was so helpful and interesting; never been in there before; me too wanted to cry on one side. First side I thought what is the big deal and then the other side boo hoo..thanks really released my jaw.

I really enjoyed all the first four but the last one, oh my god! and i understood, i had to 'laugh' too especially for my right shoulder. I guess especially that number 5 will go to my routine practice from now on. Thank you so much to share this Julie!

These were so effective Julie. Thank you!

Yesterday I noticed while doing yoga that my left shoulder is hitched higher than the right and had to deliberately lower it to get it the same level. I do have issues with that shoulder because of what I do all day, but didn't realize it is actually visible. So I decided to do this class this morning. (Ironically today it is the other shoulder!) But I must agree that my neck feels finally relaxed from the tension that is almost permanently there. Thanks Julie, for this class which I will certainly repeat again and maybe hold the poses a tiny bit longer! xxx

Amazing - in a really burst-into-tears way! Thank you ... I think. x

I LOVED this tutorial!!! Been praying for something like this for a long time. My shoulders are always so tight with tension. Thank you so much!

I didn’t cry! I was actually enjoying myself specially with the last pose! Ha! Great Tutorial. ॐ

Very good tutorial. Nice details. Thank you.

AWESOME! I so needed this deep opener. My neck, upper back and shoulders get so rounded and tight. This made such a difference. Thank you!

great class and you are very funny as well :)

I love this class! I've done it several times, and tonight, there was an odd series of popping across my upper back -- from my shoulders through my spine? -- that felt absolutely amazing afterwards.

Absolutely motivating and helpful, I laughed right along with you! Thank you for this lovely practice.

omg i want to cry with relief after finding this class and a couple of others that you have done to relieve upper trap and neck pain, thank you!!! My new favourite search is evil shoulder ;)

Such amazing shoulder opening class. Great tutorial with this 5 poses. It was difficult Yes, cause my shoulders are tight but after this practices felt so open & good feeling. Thank you!!

Love these and the openness I feel! Thank you, Julie! One question - the one where the arm is threaded under - my left arm/shoulder doesn't hurt at all during it, but I just get stuck. I can't go any deeper and...there I am, staring at the floor. I have assumed that if I continue with the practice, it may eventually release, but I thought I would ask. Thanks again!

This was awesome! I know it says "evil" haha and having tight shoulders..for now... (cause I am working on opening them more and increasing flexibility)I look for shoulder stretching and opening classes...I was a bit worried about how evil they'd be haha..but they really weren't. I just did a little taste of each pose and then was surprised to see I kept up..and it was a unique shoulder class as I could reallllly feel the different muscles we were working on...good good stuffs! Thank-you!

Great tutorial! Saved to my favourites : ) Thank you!

"I'll be back." To gain again the joyful evil in all the release and lightness I found after giving myself to these and finding relief as you have shared. Thanks, Julie!

After this awesome class I just feel great and magically open in my shoulders, upper back and neck and jaw.....and with your wonderful kind of humor, dear Julie, and the result at the end, a little suffering is worth the effort ??. Thank you so much- I really appreciate this practice and will keep practicing it.

I really needed this and found it very helpful. thank you so much.

Beautiful class! Thank you so much!

THIS. WAS. AWESOME. (and evil) My neck feels 10 feet long, thank you!!!

My shoulders cried today after 50 hours/week in front of the computer. And then a bit in the end of your class, but it was definitely a different, releasing kind of crying. Thank you, Julie for this evil-love class!

many thanks for this wonderful practice Julie, I will definitely integrate it to my daily practice , namasté petra

Awesome Julie! I found it challenging but very freeing for my shoulders. Thank you for your wonderful tutorial. It's in my favourites to practice.

Great, just want to sleep after. Thanks, Kristina

Evil shoulder openers, my favorite!! ;) and exactly what I need right now... after my mile swim this morning. I'll be doing this daily for a few days :)

I'll never forget first time you made me do this in my teacher training, haha!

Oh, you saved the best for last. Feeling a lot freedom in my neck and upper back after all that 'evilness'. Thank you, Julie.

Excellent and just what I needed. I had the same feeling as Anne - that is in the last pose the sensation was all in the front of the shoulder/upper arm rather than across the back. Hope I was doing it right. Felt great afterwards. Thank you.

Just what I need Julie xx Delighted by the way my neck and head felt afterwards.

WOW, intense, yes, but my shoulders feel alive! Thank you Julie.

Really 'enjoyed' exploring these - have been in need of some shoulder work to help find freedom on a deeper level, so thank you for this! : )

hi this is just what i need for my shoulders and neck. it is going to take a while to achieve the extra leverage pieces.

Oh my gosh. This was amazing! Loved the tutorial. Very east to follow. My shoulders are very happy and I am going to try to incorporate these shoulder openers daily.

It's great to do these again with you Julie! My favourite in no. 2 as you say it really gets me where the fascia is very sticky.... X

Julie I've shared this with so many friends. Thank you so much and happy new year!

These have been transformative for me. I carry all my stress in my neck, and this just feels amazing! thank you!

Fantastic! after 6 months neck pain issues I might have found what is going to really help me. I am working in front of a computer and I am an aerialist. The perfect receipt for tight shoulders! The most beneficial posture for me was the second. If you have other similar classes for neck and upper neck issue which can complete this class, thank you for sharing links :)

Hey, I have been doing these just about daily to good effect. Thanks so much :). One question, is there a logic to the order or is it OK to do the stretches in any order?

Thanks Julie, I have been doing these 'evil' stretches almost daily. They are helping my chronic rotator cuff and forward rolled shoulder tremendously. :)

Loved it! You are great! Thanks!

This was AWESOME! x

I also loved your thorough instruction.

Dear Julie, truly amazing and brilliant exercises. I love them. I enjoyed a little giggle too.???

Thank you so much for these exercises Julie. I am with Eckhart yoga for many years and every time when everything gets stuck in my neck and shoulders I know its the highest time to attend this class to free the tensions that give me headaches. I feel really grateful. With love, Marcella

I love the open feeling in my neck and upper back after these sweet and nasty exercises. I do them every time now when it starts to feel a bit stuck in my upper body. Thank you Julie. With love, Marcella

Love your evil shoulder openers class! Definitely need to do this class after the warm up! Thank you!

This was painfully wonderful. I injured a shoulder more 20 years ago and it has been IMPOSSIBLE to regain full movement. With ONE session, I have improved range of motion. Terrific!

Lush!

Thank you so much for this class I throughly enjoyed it in all its evilness! My left shoulder blade moved upwards and it trapped a nerve underneath which I felt in my chest. After 18 months, 9 months with physio I am able to function without constant pain but I still get tight and have slight aching on that side which your class addresses beautifully, truly grateful.

Yesterday I said I was going to do this class and I did it just now. What a release, I have been so tight in my neck, shoulders and upper back for many years. I have tried several different things and nothing released them as it did just now during this class. Emotions were released as well. I always knew that we retain negativity in our joints, but I’m a firm believer now! Thank you again 💕

Hi Julie, I have been suffering from tension headaches and pains in my neck and shoulders consatntly for months now. It really affects my daily life and yoga practice, too. So I did your shoulders and hips class the other day where you recommend this one. And it simply felt delicious! These felt amazing and I would have loved to stay forever in any of these stretches! How long would you say it is ok for to hold any of these? Thank you so much for this class!

When my husband started to massage my shoulders last night, he was truly perplexed. “This feels so different than usually, what have you been doing?“ What have I been doing? - I just joined a truly life-changing class! One that freed me from a whole lot of weight. While on the mat I breathed trust into the process, although - to be honest - I thought I was surely damaging my right tight shoulder..yes, very close to tears…rising fear even though I didn‘t go to the max. Then - the miracle - after getting up from the floor, there was this light, warm, smooth feeling all around my arms, shoulders and armpits. I could literally observe prana flowing to spaces that had been blocked for such a long time. I am unable to put into words how thankful I am, dear Julie. Such a blessing. Now I am obviously tempted to do this straight again, every day, but I wonder - would you recommend a day in between to integrate the experience?

Was signposted to this from your class in the 3 months of fitness programme. Thank you so much Julie x

OMG - this must have been some of the most intense sensations my shoulders have felt in a long time. With the increased work on my laptop at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my 18-month old gaining weight rapidly, and general tension, these are exactly what I need. Thank you! My right shoulder is waaaaaay tighter than the left (right handed, so no surprise), so these evil ones will become a regular part of my practice.

Hi Julie! Thanks for this great class! I love it so much! I was wondering whether it's safe to practice this class on a daily basis? Since I constantly feel stress in my shoulders and neck...

These are fantastic for my stiff right shoulder. Love them!

i've got muscle armoring from ptsd and this was exactly what i needed. oh my god. will save this class and do again and gain, thank you <3