Best yoga poses to ease neck pain

Moneycontrol News | March 8, 2024 | Images: Canva

Sukhasana: Sit comfortably on the floor  with your legs crossed, keeping your spine straight. Gently roll your shoulders back and down, extending your neck upwards. This pose helps in promoting posture, reducing tension in the neck and shoulders

Adho Mukha Svanasana: This asana that not  only stretches the entire body but also engages the muscles in the neck and shoulders. Start on your hands and knees, lift your hips towards the ceiling, and straighten your legs. Your body forms an inverted V-shape, allowing a deep stretch through the neck and spine

Balasana: For a gentle stretch that releases tension in the neck and shoulders, kneel on the mat, sit back on your heels, and extend your arms forward, lowering your chest to the ground. This relaxing pose promotes elongation of the spine and a sense of calm, easing any built-up stress in the neck region

Bitilasana and Marjaryasana: Combine these two poses for a dynamic stretch that mobilises the spine and neck. Start on your hands and knees, alternating between arching your back (Cow Pose) and rounding it (Cat Pose). This sequence improves flexibility in the neck and releases tension in the surrounding muscles

Setu Bandhasana: Lie on your back, bend  your knees, and lift your hips towards the ceiling. Interlace your fingers beneath you, straightening your arms to create a gentle backbend. This pose not only strengthens the neck but also stimulates the thyroid gland, promoting overall neck health

Ustrasana: Also called Camel Pose, it is a deep backbend that stretches and strengthens the neck muscles. Kneel on the mat, tuck your toes, and arch your back, reaching for your heels with your hands. This asana opens up the front of the body, relieving tension in the neck and promoting better posture

Matsyasana: This one is a fantastic way to counteract the forward head posture that often contributes to neck pain. Lie on your back, place your hands beneath your hips, and arch your back, lifting your chest towards the ceiling. It not only stretches the neck but also expands the chest, enhancing overall respiratory function

Paschimottanasana: Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to neck pain. This pose involves sitting with your legs extended and reaching for your toes. This forward bend releases tension in the spine and neck

Gomukhasana: It is a seated pose that targets the shoulders and neck. Sit with your legs crossed, stack one knee on top of the other,  and raise your arms, attempting to clasp your hands behind your back. This asana enhances flexibility in the neck and shoulders, addressing stiffness and discomfort