2 Neck Stretches to Keep Your Posture On Point
Neck stretches are good for everyone because our heads are heavy. Mind you, the average human head weighs anywhere from 10-11 pounds, and after a long day at the office that can VERY easily feel like it’s doubling — or even tripling — in weight.
That’s like balancing a bowling ball on top of your shoulders, every day. You don’t have to imagine how exhausted your neck can get after lugging that around all day because you’ve probably experienced it. Most likely you are sore, stiff and tired.
Good news? It doesn’t have to feel that way. It’s time to show your neck some relief and give it the break it deserves. Try our ABSOLUTE favorite neck and upper back stretches from the GymnasticBodies Stretch Courses to relieve that achy neck. Your posture, and overall body, will thank you for it!
Roll Back To Supine Trap Stretch
A simple solution is to lengthen the muscles running down the back of your cervical spine, including your traps. One of our favorite stretches for that is the Supine Trap Stretch from the GB Stretch Series. An excellent stretch for your neck and upper back.
This feel-good neck stretch from the Thoracic Bridge Series will do wonders to open up your neck and back for fast-acting relief.
How To: While lying on your back, lengthen the back of your neck by tucking your chin down to your chest. Press into your arms as you “roll” your legs up over your head, bringing your bent knees towards the ground by your ears (eventually resting your legs on the floor).
Hold the deepest stretch you can hold with mild discomfort for 30-60 seconds, and then SLOWLY return your legs to the starting position.
Quick Tip: Slow and steady wins the race. Avoid placing excessive strain on your neck in this stretch. It shouldn’t cause you pain, just mild discomfort.
Reach Underneath to Twist Your Way To Immediate Relief
Not only is your neck designed to flex forward, but it was also made to rotate from side to side. Without this ability, it would be difficult to look over your own shoulder when driving, or to nod your head to say “no”.
This causes a whole host of problems — including neck and upper back pain, trouble maintaining posture, and difficulty performing everyday tasks. But all this can be alleviated with this sweet stretch inspired by the GB courses.
The Reach Underneath stretches your neck and upper back in a way that’s unfamiliar to most adults. Thoracic rotation, as they call it, involves rotating from the neck, upper back, and rib cage to gently twist your muscles into a deep stretch.
How To: From a kneeling position, keep your hips over your knees and reach your right arm towards your left side to rotate your trunk to the left. The aim is to reach the ground beneath you with your upper back and neck without letting your hips move from their starting position.
Hold this stretch for 30-60 seconds, switch sides, and repeat.
In the pain game, the head rules the road. So when your neck starts acting up, the best thing to do is show it some love with GymnasticBodies stretches to alleviate any tension and tightness weighing you down.
