Embarrassed

[bobo]

Last night I took a class from a new teacher and all through the barre she would come over and push up on my lats while telling me to "drop my shoulders". My regular teacher has never brought this up. I'm not getting how to lift my upper torso other than inhaling or lifting through my shoulders. Any insight Mel, Gary?

Edited August 26, 2010 by Momof3darlings

[Mel Johnson]

Your teacher is using an isometric exercise, which pits one muscle group against another. It's good, and works to help you to achieve and keep good alignment and placement. My own teacher used to say "lift up through the chest, but keep the shoulders down." She also used to say "expand the chest, and pull down on the shoulderblades." Don't force the effort in either direction, but shoot for balance between the "lift" and the "drop".