Computer desk jobs, driving, swimming and carrying boxes all have one thing in common: the use of our arms and chest to perform the task. A large percentage of what we do in life is in front of us, making it common for our chest to get stronger and tighter, but with time, this forward motion has the opposite effect. It begins to restrict our chest, shoulder and arm flexibility. 

Pectoralis major and minor, anterior deltoid, and biceps are all muscles located on the front of the body. Tight pectoral muscles along with limited range of motion in the shoulder joint can pull the shoulders forward, giving you a postural distortion called "rounded shoulders." Opening up the front of the body through a variety of chest stretches can increase flexibility and range of motion in the chest and provide pain-free movement of the shoulder to help improve upper body posture. 

The following stretches provide various ways to open up the front body. You do not need to limit performing them to only after a workout. Executed regularly, you will start to see and feel continual improvements in chest and shoulder flexibility.

This quick and easy stretch can be performed seated or standing.  Simple to perform, it's a great way to get a quick stretch anytime of the day.

This is another stretch that can be performed either seated or standing. Play around with the positioning of the hands to emphasize shoulders and/or chest.

This exercise allows you to stretch each side of your chest separately. 

In yoga, Child's Pose is considered a resting exercise, but when the arms are extended, this exercise becomes very active in the upper body while still providing a stress relief to the low back.