You ever catch yourself halfway through the day realizing your shoulders are earrings?

Yeah, we feel you.

Between juggling work, family, that group chat you still haven’t responded to, and all the mental tabs open in your brain, you probably hold tension in your shoulders without even realizing it. That stiffness? That tightness across your upper back? It’s your body quietly asking for a little love.

That’s where this Movement Snack comes in.

We call them snacks because they’re small, simple, and satisfying—the perfect little bite of movement before the main event (aka your Island Beats class or whatever movement you’ve got on deck).

Why Focus on Your Shoulders?

Your shoulders and upper back are where stress tends to live rent-free. Whether you’re hunched over a computer or sitting in traffic on 480 (again), tension can build up fast. That stiffness can hold you back from fully expressing yourself on the dance floor, where your arms are supposed to move freely, flow big, and match the energy of the music.

Releasing that tension helps you:

• Breathe deeper

• Move with more freedom

• Feel more grounded and open

• Look and feel more confident while you dance (yes, posture matters!)

Your Shoulder Release Movement Snack

You don’t need fancy equipment. Just you, a couple of minutes, and some good tunes.

Try this quick routine before class (or whenever your body says, “please help”):

1. Shoulder Rolls – Forward & Backward
   10 slow rolls in each direction. Let the movement be big and juicy.

2. Cross-Body Hug + Pull
   Wrap one arm across your chest, and use the opposite hand to pull it in gently. Hold for 10–15 seconds on each side. Breathe into the stretch.

3. Overhead Reach + Side Lean
   Raise one arm, reach up like you’re trying to grab something off the top shelf. Then gently lean to the opposite side. Switch sides. Repeat twice.

4. Shake It Out
   Yep, literally shake your arms and shoulders like you’re drying off after a dip in the ocean. Let it feel silly—this is where the tension leaves your body.

5. Add Some Rhythm
   Put on a song that makes you move. Let your arms flow, sway, circle, freestyle. This isn’t about form—it’s about freedom.

Pro Tip: Pair This Snack With Breath

Inhale through your nose.

Exhale out your mouth like you’re letting something go—because you are.

You’re not just warming up your muscles.

You’re clearing space—for joy, for movement, for you.

So, try this Movement Snack the next time your shoulders feel like they’ve been holding up the world’s weight. It’s quick. It’s effective. And it’s one more way to show up for yourself before you hit the dance floor.

Because your body wasn’t made to be tense—it was made to move.