#55 - Posterior Neck Stretch

Purpose:

To relieve stress, tension and pressure from the neck down through the middle back.

Where to Feel it:

Gentle stretch in your neck muscles, extending down between your shoulder blades.

Description:

Bend the knees with the feet flat on the floor, about hip-distance apart. Allow the knees to bend in towards each other until they touch. Clasp the hands behind the head and let the head relax into them. The neck should be relaxed and tension-free. Use the hands (not the neck muscles!) to very gradually bring the neck gently up & forward with the chin tucked in slightly so that you are looking towards your stomach. Elbows come in close together, head should be completely relaxed, with all the weight of your head dropping into your hands. Hold when you feel a gentle stretch.

Tips:

You should experiment with a variety of positions (head higher, head lower, pulling head slightly to one side and then the other, etc.) to stretch the particular areas that feel most tight.

Reps:

1 for self-stretch (20-60 seconds) or 3-4 for PIR or CRS.