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Tai Chi Raise Arms

IntermediateBalanceTier T2

A Tai Chi movement. Stand balanced with arms hanging soft and let a slow upward pressure raise your arms without tension.

Targets: Shoulder

Stop if

Choose an easier exercise if pain reaches 6 out of 10 or becomes sharp. Stop and rest if pain reaches 8 out of 10.

This is the general ClapMove rule. This exercise has no extra stop rule of its own.

  • Pain 6 out of 10 or more: choose an easier exercise.
  • Pain 8 out of 10 or more: stop and rest.

Equipment needed

  • Works at home
  • Works at the gym

none

Home Options

  • bodyweight

Dosage

2

Sets

10

Reps / Time

30 sec

Rest

controlled

Tempo

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. A man standing balanced at shoulder width, arms hanging soft, his posture settled downward.

    Step 1 of 4

    Stand balanced and sunk, arms hanging soft, and let an upward pressure gather from your lower belly while every point of the body keeps sinking.

  2. A man with both arms rising softly in front of him toward shoulder height, all joints relaxed.

    Step 2 of 4

    Let the upward pressure slowly push your arms up, soft and tension-free, as though they are almost floating.

  3. A man standing with both arms at shoulder height, tailbone sunk and waist bowed very slightly forward, all joints soft.

    Step 3 of 4

    Let the arms arrive at shoulder height, tailbone sunk and waist bowed very slightly forward, every joint soft and none collapsed.

  4. A man standing balanced at shoulder width, arms hanging soft, his posture settled downward.

    Step 4 of 4

    Stand balanced and sunk, arms hanging soft, and let an upward pressure gather from your lower belly while every point of the body keeps sinking.

What you should feel

The arms should feel as though they are almost floating up, with no tension building in the muscles to lift them.

Safety Information

Practise on a clear, flat, non-slip floor with nothing to trip on within reach. Anyone with a shoulder, neck, back or balance problem should ask a physical therapist or physician before attempting this exercise and stop at pain or dizziness. Lift the arms only within a comfortable range and stop on unusual pain or on loss of balance. Stop if the exercise causes pain or you become unwell. Seek appropriate professional advice about symptoms or suitability.