2torial #0489: Learn2 Open a Jar (Continued) Do the twist! Yes, everybody knows that you're supposed to twist it open, but not everybody knows how to maximize their own body leverage. In these steps dominant hand refers to the hand with which you write and eat. For left-handed folks this refers to the left hand. Non-dominant hand refers to the other hand.   Hold the jar in your dominant hand up at about chest-level. The back of your hand should be facing out away from you. Hold your palm along the side of the jar (not covering the lid), and line up the thumb and index finger parallel to the lid. Wrap the thumb of your non-dominant hand around the side of the lid that's facing you, and curl your fingers around to the opposite side.   Feel the lid wedged firmly in your hand. Now try and turn the lid by moving your hands in opposite directions at the same time. Your dominant hand (on the jar) will move clockwise, and your non-dominant hand (and the lid) will move counterclockwise.   Elbows up, relax, and take a deep breath. As you exhale grip tightly while turning your hands. Don't strain yourself now, but do remember that it's just a jar, and you're certainly better than the jar!   Didn't work? Don't sweat it. Simply move on to Step 2. Step 2