Extending our arms is an important part of everyday functioning. Reaching high to grab something, reaching out for a hug, reaching down to pick up a bag. These all seem like simple, everyday movements—until they’re not. Through simple, gentle movement sequences, we will explore ways to reach out more simply and easily, and maybe even leave being able to reach a bit farther.

The rib cage is a marvelous thing. It’s a basket-like structure that protects the heart and lungs. It’s strong, but it’s also surprisingly flexible. For many of us, this flexibility is diminished. We move our chests as if they were solid blocks of stone. When we discover how to soften this basket of bones, all kinds of movement get easier. When the rib cage gets unlocked, we breathe better, we bend and turn more easily, and we stand a little taller.