Ouch! Neck Pain? Five Simple Yoga Stretches To Ease Pain and Tension in Your Neck and Shoulders

Have you ever woken up with a stiff neck or sore shoulders? Maybe you had a bad night and kept tossing and turning in bed, unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in?

Perhaps you are a busy mum and experience shoulder pain from carrying your tearful toddler around whilst you try to hoover the living room carpet.

When your neck hurts and shoulders feel heavy and sore, you feel uncomfortable and in pain. Sometimes the pain is so intense; you end up with a niggling headache. In severe cases your neck may even lock, causing you greater pain and discomfort.

When you feel like this, what can you do to ease your pain? How can you get relief and feel better again?

We carry a lot of tension in our joints, especially in our neck and shoulders. Yoga is a perfect form of exercise to help you ease aches and pains in your body. At a yoga class, your Yoga Teacher can teach you easy yoga exercises to practice which release tension and stiffness in your shoulders and neck.

If you are unable to go to a regular yoga class, try the following five simple yoga stretches at home, or at your desk at work. These stretches are so easy-to-do you can do them almost anywhere, sitting down or standing up.

These five yoga stretches will help to release pain, increase flexibility and ease your discomfort. So you can carry-on doing the things you enjoy with ease.

As with any form of exercise, please exercise caution, respect and patience for your body and, consult your GP before embarking on an exercise programme.

Five Simple Yoga Stretches To Ease Neck Pain and Tense Shoulders

One: Sideways Neck Stretch

Take a long deep breath in and as you breathe out, slowly lower your right ear to your right shoulder. Breathe in and return your head to an upright position. Breathe out and lower your left ear to your left shoulder. Breathe in and return your head to the centre. Repeat 3 - 5 times each side.

Two: Head To Chest

Take a long deep breathe in and slowly breathe out. Lower your head towards your chest, be aware of the stretch on the back of your neck. gently raise your head to upright. Repeat 3 - 5 times.

Three: Shoulder Stretch

Raise both arms above your head. hold your left wrist with your right hand and gently stretch to the right. Breathe into the stretch. Try and keep your elbows in line with your ears. keep your body straight and strong. Relax. Bring your arms above your head. Repeat on the other side. Aim for 3 - 5 stretches on both sides.

Four: Hands Behind Back

Interlace your fingers behind your back. Gently bend forward. Stretch your hands and arms up and back. Gently breathe into the stretch. Slowly release your arms and come back to an upright position. Repeat 3 - 5 times.

Five: Rag Doll Pose

Take a deep breathe. Exhale and lean forward, drop your hands to the ground. Let your arms hang freely. relax your jaw, head and shoulders and take three deep breaths. Let go of any tension. let your knees be soft and relaxed. Slowly straighten up to an upright position. Repeat 3 - 5 times.

Repeat these easy yoga exercises on a regular basis. Remember to take time to tune into your body and be aware of what is happening in your body as you stretch and breathe into the pose. As you practice, you will feel calm, refreshed and more able to cope with your day.