Front Stretch

When someone holds their arms up  away from  their  body,  he or she is in a  vulnerable, unprotected position.  Explorers in the Amazon would lift their arms up when  they encountered hostile tribes to show that they meant no harm.  Felons  will  “stick ‘em  up”  when they surrender to the authorities.  It truly was an act of surrender when Jesus stretched out his arms on the cross.  He surrendered to His Father’s will.  “And being found in human form, He humbled himself and became obedient unto death,  even death on a cross.”  (Philippians 2:8)  It was God’s plan to have Jesus die to pay the penalty for our sins.  Why is this penalty necessary?  Because God is both perfect and just (Matthew 5:48,  Zephaniah 3:5) and any wrongdoing must be paid for.  All the pain and agony Jesus felt as He  hung outstretched  on  the cross He endured on our behalf.  Why would He do this?  Out of  love.

God  loves and values you more than you can imagine, and He wants you in a relationship with Himself.  It  doesn’t  matter  what  you did in the past  or what your life is like now.  Romans 5:8 says “But  God  demonstrates  His own love toward us, in that while we are yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (italics mine ) He made the first move.  God didn’t wait for us to shape up before reaching out. That is amazing love! 

It is only because Jesus surrendered first on that  cross  that  we can  enter  God’s presence,  redeemed and purified. Jesus  said  “I am the way, the truth and the life;  no one comes to the Father but through me. “ (John 14:6)   As you do this stretch today, with your arms  extended  outward,  think of Jesus who died on the cross to allow you to enjoy this extravagant, incomprehensible love of God, now and through eternity.

Jesus said  “I am the way, the truth and the life;  no one comes to the Father but through me. " (John 14:6)

Now for the front stretch...



Working at a desk can lead to rounded shoulders.
From Cornell University collection.

From our early years our bodies conform to our forward-oriented lifestyle: we curl forward while doing school work and handicrafts, while caring for loved ones, gardening, driving and working at a computer. Over time, our shoulders become bowed forward and our muscles across the front become tight. Meanwhile, our muscles in back become over-stretched and weak, further contributing to the round-shouldered, stooped-over profile which adds years to one’s appearance.

In my first blog post, you learned the back extension exercise which helps to correct the stooped-over posture. (Be sure to take a look at that one if you haven’t already.) Today our focus is on stretching the front. It is very easy and can be done anywhere, seated or standing. Start with your arms straight down at your sides, elbows bent just slightly. Then, keeping your shoulders down, lift your arms away from your body, out to the sides (but keep them below your shoulders). Point your thumbs upward so your palms face the front. Try to get your hands as far away from each other as possible. Hold for a few moments while you take a couple of deep breaths. This should feel good. If you have any pain, lower your arms to a level where you have no pain.  (Always stretch or perform an exercise in a pain-free zone.)

Stretching across the front.
by dbking, creativecommons

Do you feel the openness in your chest and the stretching  sensation in the muscles across your front? This is a good stretch to do as a break when you’ve been driving or working at a desk or computer. Do it as many times a day as you wish (but at least a couple of times!).  You may also want to perform this front stretch at the same time that you are doing the back extension. Combining the back extension and the front stretch, you are already taller, better aligned and can breathe more deeply!