I heard this advice when I walked into my first yoga class years ago: to keep your jaw and neck relaxed, place your tongue on the roof of your mouth. But this tip has a broader application. Since you can't clench your jaw or grimace with your tongue is purposefully place there, this simple move is great for strength training. It will help remove unnecessary tension from your face, neck, chest, and shoulders. Michael Mejia, an exercise adviser for Men's Health, thinks placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth aids head alignment during crunches, thereby reducing neck strain. Having tested it, I agree. Try it next time you work out.
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Where to Put Your Tongue to Relax Your Neck
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wow. i like this one
1I have really bad TMJ and to stop myself from grinding my teeth I have to place my tongue on the roof of my mouth. It really helps! So I have no doubt that it relieves other neck strain as well
2Wow, cool...I tend to be a jaw-clencher when I'm stressed or working out. I'm going to try this next time I'm doing my strength training so I don't clench my jaws as much.
3Interesting tip, never heard that before but it does sound helpful.
4manda - i do the same thing! although i don't have TMJ, i do clench a lot and used to wear a mouthguard at night. one night, i didn't want to wear my mouthguard (it doesn't exactly make you look sexy), and i found out that by placing my tongue on the roof of my mouth, i wouldn't clench. now it's automatic for me and my tongue is always on the roof of my mouth ... no more clenching!
5I often find out I'm sticking my tongue out when working out, and biting my lower lip when stressed out.
6Probably not the most healthy thing to do when doing sports, I really don't want to bite it off by accident.
Hmmm, I don't know about this. I've never heard this before. Are you sure you're not just pulling our tongues with this one. I will try it next workout. If more guys in the gyms did this we wouldn't have to hear them grunting and groaning when they lift.
7Um, my toughe is touching the roof of my mouth... and I still clench a lot. ??? Is there something I am missing here?
8I'm with taratootie. Not finding the majick at all.
Tongue position has zero effect on the relaxation of my neck or jaw. Zero. And I've tried every variation of touching the roof of my mouth that my tongue can occupy without surgery.
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