Kim You-jung / Captured from Kim’s social media
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Actor Kim You-jung is drawing admiration online for her smooth, straight shoulder line — prompting questions about whether her long-term yoga practice plays a role.
Kim recently posted photos of herself in a red dress on social media, showing her walking a red carpet with her shoulders fully exposed. Additional photos also highlighted her straight, elongated shoulder shape, sparking praise from fans.
Kim is known to have practiced yoga for about 10 years. But can yoga really help someone achieve straighter shoulders?
Why yoga can improve posture
Yoga is often thought of as a gentle workout, but experts say it can strengthen deep stabilizing muscles and help correct posture. The downward-facing dog pose, a staple of most yoga routines, helps align the spine while stretching the hamstrings and improving blood circulation.
Tree pose enhances balance and body awareness and can strengthen the lower body, which also improves hip support and posture. It can help open the chest and upper back, reducing the rounded shoulders commonly seen in people who spend long hours sitting at a desk. For office workers and students who experience tight shoulders or a hunched upper back, regular yoga practice may offer noticeable relief.
Daily posture habits matter as much as exercise
Maintaining proper posture throughout the day is just as important. While shoulder shape is partly genetic, poor daily habits can worsen the appearance of rounded shoulders. When the shoulders roll forward, the pectoralis minor muscle tightens. Over time, the muscle becomes shorter and firmer, pulling the shoulders inward even at rest — a condition often called rounded shoulder posture.
To keep the shoulders straight, experts recommend positioning electronic devices at eye level and avoiding bending the neck forward or downward for long periods. Using smartphones while lying on the stomach or looking down at a device for extended periods can strain the trapezius, back and arm muscles.
When working at a computer, keeping the shoulders open and the head facing forward can help maintain a straighter shoulder line. Resting the elbows heavily on a desk to support body weight may affect shoulder symmetry and posture over time.
If the shoulders or neck frequently feel tight, gentle relaxation exercises can prevent long-term problems such as cervical disk issues or shoulder joint disorders. One simple technique involves inhaling while lifting the shoulders toward the ears, then exhaling as the shoulders drop back down. Repeating this movement five to 10 times can help release tension in the shoulder muscles.
This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.