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Observe the inferior angulus (lower shoulder blade tip)

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last update: 30.5.2003
Name: Angulus inferior (lower tip of scapula) observe

• Classification
• Contraindication
• Effects
• Preparation
• Follow-up
• Derived asanas
• Similar asanas
• Diagnostics
• Instructions
• Details
• Variants

Instructions

1. Stand in tadasana. Place the back of the left arm on the back and bring the tip of the left middle finger to the inferior angle of the right shoulder blade.
2. Slowly raise the right arm outwards to the right into lateral abduction and try to maintain contact between the left middle finger and the right inferior angular muscle for as long as possible. At about 90° lateral abduction, you should see that the shoulder blade slowly detaches from the finger. With full lateral abduction, you can then touch the shoulder blade again with the finger a few centimetres further out and slightly further cranially.
3. Next, raise the right arm into 90° lateral abduction. Try to keep the shoulder blade as retracted as possible. Move the arm further and further and finally into maximum transverse adduction. Observe the point at which the finger can no longer maintain contact with the angulus inferior and determine how much transverse adduction results from the protraction of the scapula. Then look for the range in which the ventral movement of the arm can be performed both as a movement in the glenohumeral joint and by protraction of the scapula.
4. In the third and easiest part, start with the shoulder blade depressed and retracted and begin to elevate it. Again, notice when the finger detaches from the inferior angulus, but also how much distance can still be covered with the shoulder blade in the direction of elevation.

details

1. This exploration demonstrates several things, firstly the need for external rotation of the scapula for wide abduction in the shoulder joint. This fact is essentially independent of the degree of elevation or depression of the scapula.
2. The second part shows the dependence of further transverse adduction on the protraction of the shoulder blades. As a movement in the glenohumeral joint, transverse adduction is only possible to a certain extent. If the arm is to be moved further medially, this is achieved by the protraction of the scapula. In between, there is a range in which the movement of the arm can be performed both as a movement in the glenohumeral joint and through protraction of the scapula. Finding this range requires a little body awareness to maintain a fixed position with the muscles of the glenohumeral joint in it while the scapulaprotracts.
3. The third part is clearly the simplest, only the shoulder blade is elevated and it is observed when the finger loses contact with the inferior angulus and how far the shoulder blade can then still be elevated. As shown in another exploration, the extent of the possible elevation is strongly dependent on the degree of abduction, especially in the case of shoulders with limited mobility, so that what has been described can be tested with different abduction angles.