How can I open my shoulders a bit more?

[CoteDAzur]

OK, so my shoulders were quite rounded until recently, but then regular yoga practice straightened my back All well and good except that I still feel that my shoulders need to "open" some more. I can't do reverse prayer and neither can I bring fingertips anywhere near each other in cow face.

Any tips?

Get a yoga strap and try this kind of exercise..do it daily and challenge by narrowing the length of strap when it gets too easy..
m.youtube.com/watch?v=dRuVpLxWaUM

That looks very doable - thank you! Yes, I have a strap already.

Make sure that you pull your shoulder blades together and down your back first. Try a bolster, have it long ways ,sit at the end and lie back, let your arms drop to the ground, put a block under your head for a nice long neck.

I've been working on it but it's not happening so far. Today, while pitifully attempting marichyasana, there was about 30cm between my two hands. Instructor was quite surprised and said that it's odd because I'm "so advanced" in most other poses

Your instructor should be giving you a modification until your body can get there, you should not strain. Stirra Sukha Asanam: Steady, comfortable posture practiced with Ahimsa. Non harming. Take your time, no hurry, stop striving.

Well, I've been just holding my knee while twisting back in marichyasana, but it's been quite a few months and I haven't gone any further than that.

You are right, of course. I need to be patient and not force it.

gentle shoulder rolls are nice - fingertips on shoulders and roll forward and back.

then stretch arms out shoulder height, making circles forward, start small slowly getting larger, then go in opposite direction.

try eagle arms followed by cow arms.:))

slowly slowly shoulders are opening