Neck Stretch

This stretch may look familiar if you've taken a yoga class. It's the prep pose you learn before doing Wheel pose. Also called Half Wheel, this stretch will increase flexibility in your spine and also stretch out your shoulders and the back of your neck. Because it doesn't require a lot of energy, it has both a calming and energetic effect on the body and mind.

• Begin lying flat on your back with your arms along the sides of your body, with your palms facing down.
• Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the floor. Walk your heels as close as you can to your bum, keeping them hip-width apart. Make sure both feet are parallel.
• With your palms and feet pressing firmly into the ground, lift your hips off the floor.
• Stay here, or clasp your hands together below your pelvis, extending through your arms. I like to rock my weight from side to side so that I can bring my shoulder blades closer together.
• Stay here for 30 seconds. Try to keep lifting the hips up as high as you can, and gaze toward your belly.
• To release this stretch, gently lower your booty back to the ground. Then stretch through your lower back by hugging your knees into your chest.

This position feels great if you have been slumped over a steering wheel or a keyboard for hours. Try it and tell me how you feel.

This woman may look like she's relaxing by the lake, soaking in the warm sun, but she's actually getting an amazing stretch in her chest, shoulders, and abs. This is the perfect stretch to do if you've been sitting hunched over a computer or steering wheel all day. It also feels great the day after doing tons of push-ups.

For details on how to do this stretch, read more

If you want to open your heart, both figuratively and literally, backbends are the way to go. There's no need to spring yourself into a challenging variation like Full Wheel when you can do a much more gentle variation like this one. Not only does it increase flexibility in your spine, but holding on to your ankles also allows you to deeply stretch your chest, shoulders, and the back of your neck. Because it doesn't require a lot of energy, this pose has both a calming and energetic effect on the body and mind.

Sanskrit Name: Bada Setu Bandha Sarvangasana English Translation: Bound Bridge Pose Also Called: Bound Half Wheel

For details on how to do this deliciously juicy-feeling stretch, read more

Suffering from tight shoulders and a stiff neck? Whether it be from a stressful job or a kick-ass weight training session at the gym, this stretch is sure to bring some instant relief.

Find a wall and then keep reading

When I was a young dancer, my British ballet mistress told me I danced like a chicken. A far cry from the swan I longed to be! The problem was not with my arms or back but with my neck. I had serious forward head, that eager looking posture where your thrust your head forward from your body. Not only is it unattractive, especially in profile, it can be a pain in the neck. Here are two simple ways to deal with this common postural problem.

First: Stand at a wall with your heels, booty, shoulder blades, and back of your head against the wall. Now adjust your skull so your eyes are looking straight forward without having to move your eyeballs downward; think of the skull pivoting backward on the axis of the spine to do this.This might feel a bit weird, but should give you a sense of how forward your head actually is. Stay there for about 30 seconds and think about lengthening your spine and opening your chest.

Learn my second suggestion when you read more

When I'm working at my computer all day, I can feel the tension building up in my neck and shoulders. Throughout the day, I try to remember to take breaks to get up and walk around, but this seated neck stretch really does wonders.

For details on how to feel this delicious neck release, and ways to feel a deeper stretch, read more

Whether you have job-related stress or stare at a computer screen all day, you're bound to suffer from a tight neck and shoulders. So here's a simple stretch you can do anywhere to get some relief.

For instructions on how to do this stretch continue reading.