10/28/2025
If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or looking down at your phone, chances are your posture — and your shoulders — are paying the price. Over time, poor posture can lead to tight chest muscles, weak upper back muscles, and even neck or shoulder pain.
One of our favorite exercises to combat this at Tennessee Back Pain Center is the IYTWL sequence — a simple yet powerful way to strengthen the postural muscles (rhomboids, traps, rotator cuff, and posterior deltoids) that support your shoulders and spine.
How to Perform IYTWL
You can perform this exercise standing, face down on a bench, on a stability ball, or standing with a resistance band. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
I: Extend your arms straight overhead (forming the letter “I”) and lift them up, keeping your thumbs pointed toward the ceiling.
Y: Move your arms out slightly to form a “Y” shape, again lifting up while squeezing your shoulder blades down and together.
T: Bring your arms straight out to your sides (like forming a “T”) and lift, keeping your shoulders relaxed.
W: Bend your elbows to make a “W” shape, focusing on squeezing your shoulder blades together.
L: With elbows bent to 90 degrees, rotate your forearms up to form an “L,” engaging the rotator cuff.
Perform each movement slowly and with control. Aim for 8–10 reps per position.
If you’re dealing with tight shoulders, forward head posture, or upper back tension, our team at Tennessee Back Pain Center in Murfreesboro can help. We’ll assess your movement patterns and guide you through corrective exercises like IYTWL to help you move better, feel better, and live better.
Schedule your visit today and start building stronger, more stable shoulders!