There’s an old vaudeville song titled, “The Fountain in the Park”, also known under the title of “While Strolling through the Park One Day”. The lyrics go on…”in the merry, merry month of May”. You may recall this song from some old movies or even a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

While May is a merry, merry month, according to the song, sometimes our neck and shoulders are not so merry because in our daily lives, we take them out of alignment.

Read on…

Namaste,

Liz

Alignment at a desk:

I had a desk job for many years. Sitting correctly at a desk is important for your spine and your muscles. It’s so easy to let our upper bodies start to hunch forward as we go through our day. When our shoulders and head start to round forward, it creates more stress along the spine and creates tension in the muscles of the upper body and may cause headaches. Good posture is essential for your spine and muscles. When you hunch over your computer/laptop or even a device for prolonged period of time over days, months, and years, the muscles in the front to the body get shortened and weaker and the muscles in the back get weaker because they are not being used correctly.

Savasana balanced between the left and right sides:

When lying on the floor in Savasana, ensure that your body evenly placed from left to right. Tuck your shoulder blades underneath you and ensure your spine is long along the floor. The mat/floor supports your body. Legs can be straight or you can bend your knees, walk your feet wide and let your knees fall into each other. Your lower back may find this alternative version more comfortable. Alignment is important, even in Savasana.

Sleeping:

We spend about a third of our day sleeping. Being mindful about your sleeping position is also a good way to keep your neck and shoulders happy. I have woken up with a stiff neck due to stacking my pillows too high when sleeping on my side or on my back. Sleeping on your stomach is the worse position to sleep in and sleeping on you back is the best. When sleeping on your back, your pillow(s) should not be too high as to cause your neck to bend forward all night. Side sleepers also need to be mindful of the height of the pillow as to not take the head and neck out of alignment. Find the right pillow and pillow height for your body that is both supportive and comfortable.

Neck Stretches:

These simple, yet gentle neck stretches can help to release tension in the neck and shoulders. Always remember to honor your body and practice these stretches mindfully. Follow the Goldilocks rule: Not too much, not too little, just right.