Handstand Archives | Movement Vault

Ankles & Wrists: 1-18

🚨Free Movement Vault T-shirt or Racerback Tank Giveaway! We are giving away a free Movement Vault shirt or tank every week to one person chosen at random. All you have to do is post a picture or video of you doing Movement Vault or something Movement Vault is helping you do better on your instagram, facebook, or twitter along with a caption telling why you do Movement Vault and how Movement Vault is helping you decrease pain, prevent injury, increase your flexibility and mobility, or increase your performance. And tag us @movementvault. Look out for a message/comment from us when you win!

Equipment needed: 1. Padded Mat (optional). Today we are working on two joints that most people neglect. Not focusing enough on these two joints can lead to issues and compensations in other areas of the body. We are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your wrists and ankles. The wrist portion is especially helpful for all of you that spend a lot of time typing on a keyboard everyday. I see way too many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome that could have been avoided.

We are starting off with ankle and wrist range of motion movement. The key is to try to move each of these joints through their maximal range of motion. This one is also great for working on coordination. Next we are working on an end-range stretch isometric technique for the front of your ankles. Your goal is to stretch out your ankles as much as possible and then contract them. We are finishing up with three different wrist activation and end-range stretch techniques. With the first, the key is to slowly lower the back of your hands to the ground using the muscles on the back of your wrists. With the last two, focus on maximally stretching out your wrist and then contracting your muscles, which will push your hands into the ground. If you have pain with any of the movements, don’t go as deep into the stretch. Have fun!

Shoulders & Hips: 1-17

Equipment needed: 1. Mobility ball or lacrosse ball. 2. Padded Mat (optional). We’ve got some great rotator cuff action for you today! Today we are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your shoulders and hips.

We are starting off with a muscle/fascia release for your posterior rotator cuff muscles, specifically your teres minor and infraspinatus muscles. These muscles are found underneath the spiny part of your shoulder blade. Next we are working on a stretch and activation movement for these same muscle, in addition to your lateral shoulder muscles aka your lateral deltoid. Focus on maintaining your muscle contraction as you slowly bring your chest down to the ground. We are finishing up with an activation movement for your hip adductor and abductor muscles. The key is to bring your leg out to the side as far as possible and then back to the middle, crossing over your other leg. Ensure that you are keeping your core engaged the entire time. You want to minimize any low back rotation and low back movement.

I see a LOT of rotator cuff injuries in my physical therapy clinic. Most of these injuries could have been avoided by doing exactly what you are doing here at Movement Vault. Your body loves you for the preventative care.

Flow: 1-16

Flow day 🦋Equipment needed: 1. Padded mat. Today’s flow includes some great 90/90 hip and upper body work, as well as shoulder, and t-spine work. As always, we are working on just about everything today. We have two flow days per week as part of the Movement Vault program. We love to hear from you guys and the social media love!

Back & Hips: 1-15

Equipment needed: 1. Mobility ball or lacrosse ball. 2. Box, bench, or couch. Basically something to put your legs on for the low back muscle release technique. 3. Padded Mat (optional). Everyone needs some low back maintenance! Today’s routine is perfect if you have a tight back or painful low back. Today we are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your back and hips.

We are starting off with a muscle/fascia release for your low back. The muscle we are focusing on is your quadratus lumborum which is located between your upper hip bone and your lower ribs. Next we are working on a stretch/activation movement for your low back. Focus on stretching out one side of your body while you activate the muscles on the other side of your body. We are next working on spinal circles. The goal with this movement is to activate and stretch out all of the muscles that surround your low back. This movement is all about focus and concentration. Do your best to feel and focus on the muscles that are moving your hips and low back. We are finishing up with a hip flexor and hamstring end-range stretch isometric technique. Focus on digging your heal into the ground as you push your hips back. This will activate your hamstring while you stretch it out.

Shoulders & Back: 1-14

Equipment needed: 1. Padded Mat (optional). We have another routine to get your body moving and feeling it’s best! Today we are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your shoulders, and back.

We are starting off with an end-range stretch isometric technique for the front of your shoulders, specifically your pec muscles. This technique will help your shoulders become “unrounded.” Focus on stretching out the front of your shoulder, and then activating your shoulder muscles. If you have any pain in your shoulder, don’t go as deep into the stretch. Next we are working on a great core and low back activation movement. Focus on side bending and lifting as much as possible. We are finishing up with one of the best shoulder blade/scapulae activation exercises you can do. Focus on keeping your hands and arms high and your shoulder blade muscles engaged.

Hips, Ankles & Backs: 1-13

We are starting off with an end-range stretch isometric technique for your adductor muscles. These are the muscles that are located in your inner thigh. The key is to stretch out the muscle first and then contract your muscles, while they are stretched out. Next we are moving to an end-range stretch isometric technique to open up the front of your ankles. The same principle applies here, stretch out and then activate/contract. We are finishing up with a range of motion and activation movement for your entire spine. Focus on connecting your brain with all of the muscles that surround your low back aka your core. For this movement, you want to always be contracting one area that surrounds your mid section. This area will move as you move through your spine circle.

High five! You just crushed another Movement Vault session. Reflect on how much better you feel after today’s routine and all of the progress you have made with your daily mobility practice. We’d love to hear from you. Post on to your Instagram story or feed and tag us in it @movementvault. We’ll send you a 🙌and some ❤️. Get it guys!

Flow: 1-12

Equipment needed: 1. Padded mat. Today is a flow day! We are working on just about everything today. We have two flow days per week as part of the Movement Vault program. Get it guys!

Shoulders & Ankles: 1-11

Keep staying consistent guys, your body loves you for it! We love seeing your posts. Post on to your Instagram story or feed and tag us in it @movementvault. We’ll send you a comment and some ❤️.

Equipment needed: 1. Padded Mat (optional). 2. If you struggle to hold a deep squat, then you will need something to hold on to such as a kettlebell, rig, table leg, etc. We’ve got some great shoulder rotation action in store for you today!

We are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of the shoulders and ankles. We are starting off with an end-range stretch isometric technique to increase your shoulder internal rotation. The key with this one is to keep you shoulder on the ground the entire time. This one can feel uncomfortable, which is normal, but don’t push into pain. We are then working on a great shoulder range of motion and activation movement for your shoulder internal and external rotation. We are finishing up with deep squat explorations. This is a great hip and ankle mobility movement. The key with this is to get as deep as you can in to your squat, hold on to something if you need to. Next weight shift in all directions, exploring new ranges of motion in your ankles. The smallest adjustments make your ankles work for the stability, which is what we want. Get it guys!

Hips & Wrists: 1-10

Equipment needed: 1. Foam Roller. If you don’t have a foam roller, you can substitute with a mobility ball 2. Box, bench, couch or wall. Something to put your back leg against for the active couch stretch. 3. Padded Mat. Today is a day that everyone needs for their hip flexors! Today we are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your hip flexors and wrists.

We are starting of with a muscle/fascia release for your hip flexors. If you don’t have a foam roller, you can use a mobility ball. We are then moving on to couch stretch end-range isometrics. This is one of the best active stretches for your hip flexors. It can be challenging and uncomfortable, this is normal. With that said, if coming up to a full lunge is too difficult or challenging, leave your front knee down on the mat. Another key is to make sure that your abs stay engaged. Don’t allow your low back to arch and extend. We are finishing up with wrist extension end-range stretch isometrics. The key is to stretch out your wrists as much as possible before starting your activation. If you have any pain in the front of your wrist, don’t go as deep into the stretch.

Your hips love you! Let us know how your hips feel after todays routine. Post on to your Instagram story or feed and tag us in it @movementvault. We’ll comment and some ❤️. Get it guys!

Flow: 1-09

We’ve got a movement packed Flow day for you 🌊Equipment needed: 1. Padded mat. Today is a flow day! We are working on just about every area of your body today. We have two flow days per week as part of the Movement Vault program. We love to hear from you guys and the social media love! Take a pic or video doing Movement Vault, or doing something Movement Vault is helping you do better and tag us in it on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter @movementvault. Get it guys!

Neck & Shoulders: 1-08

Equipment needed: 1. Mobility ball or lacrosse ball. 2. Padded Mat (optional). It’s time to give your neck the love that it deserves! Today we are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your neck and shoulders.

We are starting off with a muscle/fascia release for your neck and shoulders, specifically your traps and levator scapulae muscles. This area is commonly tight and quite often contains “knots.” Next we are working on a 3-way neck stretch. Ease into this one and provide a medium amount of pull with these stretches. Don’t abruptly yank down on your neck. We are then moving on to a neck range of motion and activation movement. Your goal is to move your neck in it’s greatest range of motion possible. With that said, if you have pain in any corner of the circle, stay away from this area, and just move in your pain free range. We are finishing up with a shoulder blade aka scapula range of motion and activation movement. The same goes for this movement, only use your pain free range of motion. Really push this one. Feel all of the muscles around your shoulder blade activating.

You neck and shoulders love you! Thanks as always for hanging out with us. Remember, we give you the building blocks, you build the castle. Post on to your Instagram story or feed and tag us in it @movementvault. We’ll send you a comment and some ❤️. Get it guys!

T-Spine & Shoulders: 1-07

Do you have any questions about this routine or other routines? We can check out how you are performing specific movements if you post a video of the movement on facebook, or instagram and tag us in it @movementvault. We’ll comment with feedback and send you a 🤙and some ❤️. Get it guys!

Equipment needed: 1. Foam Roller. 2. PVC pipe or dowel of some sort (optional) 3. Padded Mat (optional). Today’s routine is great for “un-glueing” your rounded upper back and rounded shoulders! We are working on the flexibility, mobility, and stability of your t-spine aka your upper back and shoulders.

We are starting off with a joint mobilization for your upper back to decrease your upper back rounding. In the video, I am using a PVC pipe, but it isn’t mandatory if you don’t have one. Just flex your arms overhead. Focus on squeezing your upper back muscles that are in contact with the foam roller. Also, make sure to keep your abs engaged and low back relatively flat. Next we are working on a great stretch and activation technique for your shoulders. Focus on reaching back as far as your can. We are finishing up with a great range of motion and activation movement for your shoulders and shoulder blade muscles. Your goal is to keep your arms up as high as possible the entire time.

Get it guys!