Sometimes, the best treatment happens at home.
You know the feeling: You un-hunch your spine after spending hours bent over your smartphone, desk, book, or workbench. As you straighten out, your neck immediately stings from being frozen in the curled position lovingly known as “shrimp posture.” If your neck is stiff from the effects of too much sitting (or another common cause, like osteoarthritis) you’re probably aching for relief. There are so many little things you can do to help — using the right pillow even goes a long way — but first and foremost is movement. That’s why entrepreneur Ryan Cooper is bringing us these refreshing yoga exercises for neck pain.
You already know Ryan Cooper from the previous installments in his Going Strong series: He’s warmed us up with ab and upper body workouts, and he’s brought us back down to earth with his meditative alternate nostril breathing. Now, he’s turning his attention toward exercises that alleviate the effects of poor posture in this helpful video tutorial.
Cooper’s yoga routine takes less than 15 minutes — which is very convenient because we most often feel neck pain after the end of a long, hard day (when all we really want to do is veg out on the couch). We’re happy to report that you’ll be able to squeeze these exercises into your regular routine in the time it normally takes you to pick a movie on Max. Plus, Cooper’s tutorial doesn’t require any equipment aside from a basic yoga mat — though he advises that you can sit on a yoga block or yoga cushion if those props make you feel more comfortable.
You’ll start with neck rolls before transitioning into some gentle rotations with your arms. You’ll continue slowly and carefully stretching your arms, shoulders, neck, and the rest of your upper body on each side. You’ll also fold forward a couple of times to achieve a rejuvenating stretch in your back. Before you know it, you’ll be greeted by the melodious tone of Cooper’s considerate send-off: “We hold a lot of tension in our neck and our back. I hope this helps you.”
Charmed by Cooper’s thoughtful mix of energized workouts and contemplative reflection? He’s currently cutting a deal for Katie Couric Media readers: Using the promo code KCM50, you can get 50 percent off Cooper’s fitness packages. Wellness is just one click away.
