Hi-
I am so grateful for having found the Diesel Crew’s YWTL mobility drills posted as a sticky here. I have been doing them for about 4 months. I feel like I am waking up muscles that haven’t been used in decades (rhomboids, lower/mid traps).
But I would really like to know how other people’s bodies respond to these because I am not sure what I am feeling is normal.
Basically after doing them, I feel my mid/lower traps and/or rhomboids contract. Like putting on a backbrace that pulls my shoulders back. It feels good- it feels incredible but it is also a little scarey- like, my back muscles become quite tight but maybe only as tight as they are actually supposed to be? Do you know what mean?
Is this normal???
They will stay contracted or tightened up for anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours afterwards. Normally I do back exercises afterwards so it lasts longer.
I also finding that the more back exercises I do, the more this contraction/activation or whatever the heck it is, starts during the day just by doing some isometric non moving YWTL’s. Sometimes also just by really standing up straight. And don’t get me wrong- I am no hunchback- most lay people I know think I have really good posture though chiropracters have said I need to work on this- so it’s an issues but it’s not a huge issue.
Is this muscle tightening what they mean by activation?
Is this normal?
Has anyone here felt this?
What do you feel after doing these?
thanx
Normal feels extremely odd after being not-normal for a long time. You’re restoring the natural tonus or tension of the postural and positional muscles after a long period of being adapted to abnormal posture.
I wouldn’t worry - especially if you’re feeling better from it.
[quote]DaCharmingAlbino wrote:
Normal feels extremely odd after being not-normal for a long time. You’re restoring the natural tonus or tension of the postural and positional muscles after a long period of being adapted to abnormal posture.
I wouldn’t worry - especially if you’re feeling better from it.[/quote]
gee, thank you so much for answering! I didn’t know what to think when no one answered- I thought maybe I really am crazy.
That’s what I am really hoping for- that normal feels abnormal after so many years. I tell myself that about 20 times a day while keeping my fingers crossed. It’s interesting you use the word “tonus” - I just learnt that word yesterday 
Well since writing the original post, my back now is in the retracted position almost always- within minutes of waking up and getting out of bed in the morning. So what started as a transient activation/tightening after doing the YWTL’s and rows, is now just about constant. I am really sitting up straight at my desk and am able to be conscious of my posture just about all the time because I can feel the muscles- I am aware of them, so that make it very easy to remember my posture. And I’m kind of obsessed with this to be honest.
I had a full spine xray a couple of years ago. I do have mild osteophytes but nothing out of the normal for a 50 year old.
I just don’t understand why I have NOT READ anything about this happening when someone improves their posture. I would think other people would be talking about it because the feelings really are very dramatic. I certainly want to talk about it! So I just don’t get why I have never heard anyone say “oh ya, wow, when I improved my posture, it was like putting on a brace, it was amazing!..” etc. LOL. Maybe younger people don’t feel the change, or most people don’t really change it. Or I am crazy
In the meantime I am just keeping my fingers crossed that this is ok. It doesn’t hurt. It feels great- like putting on a support brace. Like a miracle really.
It is very interesting (to me).
thank you for responding, I appreciate it.
Hi,
New member here…
This routine intrigues me, and I want to start including it in my workouts. I have a very bad back (injured it 30+ years ago, been at its mercy ever since).
I am currently working the Texas Method, and am curious as to where in that workout to place this routine.
Any suggestions from those who are versed in these particular arts?
Thanks in advance!