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Original poster

Can you put one arm over your shoulder

121 replies

Mememeplease · 12/04/2019 08:15

... And touch fingers with your other hand coming up diagonally from below?

I have never been able to do this, regardless of my size or fitness. Otoh elderly mil can easily do it.

Which is more common?

OP posts:
Blompitude · 12/04/2019 13:11

Isn't that part of the pigeon pose in yoga? The arms I can just about do, crossing one leg over the other while sitting on the floor.... forget it!

RottnestFerry · 12/04/2019 13:12

I can do that too. The hands flat on the floor thing (with straight legs and feet flat on the floor). I am averagely legged for my height but it is my orangutan arms coming into play again

Really? I can do it (just) but I need to bend over.

TwinsTrollsAndHunz · 12/04/2019 13:16

I do point out afterwards that I am bending forwards Grin

CountFosco · 12/04/2019 13:30

Isn't that part of the pigeon pose in yoga?

No, it's cow face pose. Pigeon pose is all about the hips.

Cwtches123 · 12/04/2019 13:38

I can only do it on one side!
I'm right-handed and can do it with my right hand over my shoulder and the left hand coming around my back.

bloodywhitecat · 12/04/2019 13:52

Yes and I can also bend at the waist and do the palms flat to the floor thing, I am 55.

RikoBitch · 12/04/2019 13:54

I can do both sides and I can also put my hands flat on the floor by bending forward with straight knees.

However, I find sitting on the floor with crossed legs almost impossible

nicky2512 · 12/04/2019 14:01

dd is very hypermobile. She can join her hands behind her back and bring them up over her head and down the front without letting go. It's horrible - makes me feel sick!

letsgohooray · 12/04/2019 14:06

It's to do with limb length, body width and flexibility. Some things are just hard for some people to do regardless of fitness. Its biomechanics.

HaroldsSocalledBluetits · 12/04/2019 14:11

I can do this completely interlocking my fingers, although one side is easier than the other.

I can also put my hands flat on the floor while bending over and if I sit with my legs out in front of me after a couple of 'sweeps' forward can put my head on my legs and hold my toes.

Like a PP I've never been able to sit comfortably cross legged though. Although I am totally fine "squatting" and can do it for ages (handy when you're waiting in queues - never found another use for it).

DS 2 who officially has loose ligaments can turn his feet completely the wrong way round and walk forwards. It's freaky!

ThomasShelbysBunnet · 12/04/2019 14:13

I can do it one way but not another. I have a distended scapula on the side that I can't lift my arm over far enough though...

Megan2018 · 12/04/2019 14:16

One side yes, other side no. But I do have a shoulder injury. I used to be able to do both but one side was always easier.

Starryskiesinthesky · 12/04/2019 14:21

I thought this was really easy but have just discovered i can only do it with one side. Gutted!

Oldraver · 12/04/2019 15:00

I could barely do this at the time I was doing yoga, with a dodgy shoulder I can just about touch my fingers on my other shoulder. I've got short arms as well. Dead chuffed when I find a garment where the sleeves dont cover my hands

I can put my hands on the floor though

NarcissistMum · 12/04/2019 15:09

Seeing as the distance between each hands fingertips is your height, would that make it easier for tall people?

ProfessionallyUnoffended · 12/04/2019 16:27

Yes I can and I can also put my arm round the back of my neck and reach round and touch my ear (ie right arm can touch right ear) I haven't come across many people that can do that. Smile

AwdBovril · 12/04/2019 16:45

Yes but only on one side. I used to be able to do it much better, on one side I could grasp each wrist with the opposite hand. Have just checked, can only just touch my fingertips to the floor without bending my knees, & I can't touch my forehead to the floor while sitting cross legged either. I can still get my feet behind my head though. I used to be much more bendy. Anyone know a good YouTube channel for yoga?

MotherOfTheNoise · 12/04/2019 16:49

Yes I can and still holding hands bring them over the top of my head. Can also put my forearms on the floor standing up. (Used to be a gymnast though so feel a bit of a cheat!)

EnormousDormouse · 12/04/2019 16:51

Well, seem as I've had 2 gins it is party trick time... (Disclaimer : it's 8pm here)

Can you put one arm over your shoulder
TheFlis12345 · 12/04/2019 16:53

I can do the arms to ear thing like that as well Enormous Dormouse! People are always amazed / horrified! Grin

underneaththeash · 12/04/2019 16:58

I can hold hands too behind my back, put hands flat on the floor and do the splits (st the age of 44). Don’t think i’m Particularly hyper mobile either.

girlandboy · 12/04/2019 17:00

Yes I can. And I can then bring both arms back in front of me without letting go.

I'm not fit at all, haven't got hypermobility as far as I know, but I have got inordinately long arms!

EnormousDormouse · 12/04/2019 17:07

Yay Flis I am not alone! You are the first other person who has admitted to this (I am well used to the amazed/horrified look)

PinkBuffalo · 12/04/2019 17:09

I've just tried and yes I can Smile I can also do the touching the back of my head with both arms behind.
Disclaimer... I am quite long limbed and all arms and legs Grin

JazzersMaw · 12/04/2019 17:13

For most of my adult life I could. Not today though. I need to do more yoga stretches as I can’t even get my fingertips to touch. Sad

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