Scapulohumeral rhythm is the coordinated movement that should occur between the shoulder and scapulocostal joints during all movements of the arm. We feel that there are a handful of verbal cues and hands-on assists out there in yoga world that go against this rhythm, which can lead to shoulder instability and/or impingement syndrome (e.g., "plug the arms into the sockets," "draw the shoulderblades down the back," "melt the heart" in plank, etc.). Learning more about scapulohumeral rhythm will better inform your own practice, refine the biomechanical accuracy of your verbal cues and hands-on assists, and help keep your shoulder joints happy and healthy.

In the first of video in this series we explored the anatomy and movements available at the shoulder and scapulocostal joints. In this video (the 2nd in the series), we explore how movements of the shoulder joint should be coupled with movements of the scapulocostal joint to ensure safe, efficient biomechanics at the shoulder joint complex that will help prevent injury.

​In subsequent videos we'll explore:

• shoulder impingement syndrome, and three ways to help prevent it 
• verbal cues and hands-on assists that might sabotage scapulohumeral rhythm within a variety of postures, and alternative cues and assists that will help support this rhythm and create more stability

Scapulohumeral rhythm is the coordinated movement that should occur between the shoulder and scapulocostal joints during all movements of the arm. We feel that there are a handful of verbal cues and hands-on assists out there in yoga world that go against this rhythm, which can lead to shoulder instability and/or impingement syndrome (e.g., "plug the arms into the sockets," "draw the shoulderblades down the back," "melt the heart" in plank, etc.). Learning more about scapulohumeral rhythm will better inform your own practice, refine the biomechanical accuracy of your verbal cues and hands-on assists, and help keep your shoulder joints happy and healthy.

In this first of several videos we explore the anatomy and movements available at the shoulder and scapulocostal joints. In subsequent videos we'll explore:

• the coupled movements that should occur between these two joints during all three planes of movement
• shoulder impingement syndrome, and three ways to help prevent it 
• verbal cues and hands-on assists that might sabotage scapulohumeral rhythm within a variety of postures, and alternative cues and assists that will help support this rhythm and create more stability