I’ve talked before about using the shoulders to intensify a neck stretch. This is an action you can do in standing poses as well. When you do this in standing poses you get a gentle release of one of the most commonly tense areas in the body and improve your body awareness.
Try this in triangle pose, but remember to look for a mild stretch
- Start in a lunge with the left foot back.
- Turn the left heel in and down.
- Push your front right leg straight as you slide your right hand up on to your right shin or ankle.
- Bring your left hand to your left hip or reach your hand up to the sky.
- The gentle option for your neck is to look down at the ground or to your left. You can look up as long as it doesn’t strain your neck.
- As you reach your left hand up, open your shoulders and chest (but NOT your hips) to the left side.
- Be strong through your feet and legs.
- Relax a little through your shoulders and arms.
- Then try to pull your armpits towards your hips without moving your arms.
- At the same time, stretch the top of your head forward as if someone is pulling your head away from your hips.
- Then relax your arms for a few breaths. Then try again to pull your armpits down and see if you notice the difference.
Activating core muscles to stretch the neck and improve body awareness
