So this past Monday was a Holiday, it was Fourth of July, on holidays often gyms, yoga studios, and fitness places have different schedules. Such was the case with the YMCA on Monday. Some Y’s were closed. The ones that were open had shortened open hours and adjusted group exercise schedules. I saw that one of the YMCAs in my area had an adjusted schedule on the Holiday. It had classes that it normally does not have on Monday. And not only did they have a class I wanted to take, but it was at the perfect time! So, I schlepped myself over there to try it out. I was hoping it was the same teacher that I had taken a class from before and I could ask her if I could post about a technique she had shared in that class. It was, I did, and she granted me permission. So this post is about a pain relieving technique for the wrists.
When I took a class with her before I was trying out a new-to-me type of yoga and in that class she did a technique to help relived some discomfort in our wrists because we had done a few poses on them. She did it again in this class, although a little differently, but we had not been on our wrists as long as we had been in the other class.
She, Cindy Piccoli – a yoga instructor at the YMCA, said that her chiropractor taught her this technique. She said she had carpal tunnel and did this movement to relieve it. She said she did this frequently for two years and she no longer suffers from carpal tunnel.*
Since having done it in her class that one day, I do it to relieve aching wrists after doing poses that make my wrists hurt. I also have had my students do it after we do poses that affect the wrist in class.
It is amazingly simple, perhaps it can help you after those “wrist” poses.
- Somewhat straighten out one arm palm up. The elbow can be relaxed. Then form a “U” with your index finger and thumb of the OTHER hand.
- Grasp the wrist of the straight arm, right where the palm and the arm meet, and squeeze. While you are squeezing bring each finger in one at a time on the hand of your straight arm. I recommend keeping the fingers that are forming the “U” straight as that allows for a strong squeeze. (My model allowed his fingers to close around the wrist . . . )
- Start with the pinky, them move onto the ring finger, moving all fingers until you end up with a “closed palm”. Do that a couple of times.
- Then draw your fingers toward you allowing your hand to move toward you. Straighten the fingers out, flexing the hand, then bend the wrist pointing the fingers toward you. Do that a couple of times.
If your other wrist is bothering you, don’t forget to do this on the other one.
Give it a try after you have had your weight on your wrists and see what you think.
Do you have any techniques or remedies for sore wrists?
*Keep in mind this site/post makes no claims as to this technique or any others mentioned on this site healing or curing any ailment, affliction, illness. This post is sharing an a persons individual experience.
Oh, and thank you to my wonderful hand model. 😉
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