yoga book / functional exercises / infraspinatusdehnung

The infraspinatus is the strongest exorotator of the shoulder joint. It originates over a large area on the dorsal side of the shoulder blade and runs to the tuberculum majus of the humeral head. Due to its course, it has an immediate exorotising effect, which is all the more important when the arm is resting against the body. This position is therefore also excellent for causing stretching if the arm is maximally twisted in. A simple way to do this is to place the back of the hand on the back and move the elbow forwards. The effect will be all the better if the resulting tendency of the shoulder blades to protract is suppressed. However, the performer can do this much worse than a supporter. A good execution is therefore when the supporter stands behind the performer, pulls the shoulder blade back and carefully pushes the elbow forwards. As the elbow moves forwards, the stretch in the infraspinatus should be increasingly noticeable.

If no supporter is available, press the elbow against the wall and move the upper body relative to it, i.e. the front of the body towards the elbow.