Elephant Trunk Swing

  • Increases thoracic (upper back) mobility, particularly for older children and adults
  • Stretches chest and shoulders
  • Assists in maintaining optimal spinal posture which is important for siting at a desk.
  • Loading though the upper limb supports development of strength in shoulder, arm, wrist and hands, which is important for pre-writing/handwriting and fine motor control.
HANDOUT
PRACTISE JOURNAL
TECHNIQUE VIDEO

Uses

  • Do this stretch after long periods on computers or small devices (tablets and phones), to support good posture.
  • This is a great stretch to do just prior to handwriting or other fine motor activities (e.g. using cutlery, doing up buttons, tying shoelaces, threading beads), because it activates the core and upper limb muscles.

Instructions

  1. Kneel on all fours
  2. Lift your left arm (your elephant trunk). Reach it out to your left side and as high into the air as you can.
  3. Then reach it back under your body and across to the right as far as you can
  4. Watch your hand (trunk) as it is moving
  5. Repeat 3-5 times, then switch arms
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Watch Points

  • Pelvis/hips still, and upper body twisting

Seated:

  • Sit up tall and lift your left arm (your elephant trunk) to shoulder height.  Twist your upper body to the left and reach your arm as far around to your left as you can.  Then twist to the right and reach as far across to the right as you can.  Repeat 3 times, then switch arms.