Do you have a stiff neck? Some tensions there? Would you like a gentle yoga exercise without leaving your chair / sofa?
Video: stiff neck
A little bit of anatomy: the neck
Our 7 cervical vertebrae want to breathe, and keep a little bit of space between each other.
We tend to forget that our skull meet our spine so high, because of the jaw. But the jaw is a separate bone, and we can here notice how high our spine goes.
We sometimes think our neck is only at the back. This is wrong, our muscles also connect with our sides and front!
And we often create tensions in these muscles, because of screens or not moving enough. So let’s free that!
Stiff neck exercises
Exercise 1: Head floating up and down
First, make sure you are standing with both feet on the ground. Your pelvis is grounding. Your head is very light on top of your spine, so your spine can gently decompress.
Gently allow your head to fall down, taking your time. Don’t force, stay where you are comfortable (otherwise you’ll just create more tensions). Breathe.
And slowly, your head is coming back and flying slightly up (keeping your neck nice and long).
You can repeat this exercise slowly and continuously twice, and then relax.
Exercise 2: Head floating side to side
Again, your head is very light on top of your spine, so your spine can gently decompress. Notice or imagine the space you have already created between your cervical vertebrae.
Gently allow your head to float to your right side. Do the movement gradually.
Slowly coming back, your head keeps going to the left, getting lighter and lighter.
You can repeat this exercise slowly and continuously twice, and then relax.
Exercise 3: To finish with, very gently...
Allow your right hear to come a little bit closer to your right shoulder. It doesn’t have to be much! Gently breathing there.
Then do the same to the left. Again, pushing will do more harm than good, and this movement can be very small.
Breathe there for 15 seconds each side. Try not to push or compress anything.
I hope you feel great in your body now.
Did you know?
1- These exercises are inspired from my yoga training, but also from what I learn with somatic practices – breathing and listening to the body rather than forcing or pushing.
2- All the exercises this month can be practices sitting down on your chair, sofa, or bed. You’re welcome.
3- I give more free material on social medias – check it out!
4- You can book your own private yoga session, which I adapt to your body and needs, online or in London! You can also share the session with a friend.
5- I teach one free, online, collective yoga class per month! So be ready for Saturday 29th of May 2021, 11AM London time.
Take care of your body, and see you soon!