Poses for Your Neck

A modification of Plank Pose, Forearm Plank strengthens and tones the core, thighs, and arms.

Technology can (quite literally) cause a pain in your neck. Luckily, your practice can help you find relief.

How to avoid falling into autopilot while practicing this basic—but beneficial—stretch.

Bitilasana is an easy, gentle way to warm up the spine before a more vigorous practice.

Purvottanasana counteracts the effects of Chaturanga by stretching the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and anterior deltoids.

It might look straightforward, but there's more to Dandasana than meets the eye.

There's a general consensus among modern yogis that Viparita Karani or Legs Up the Wall Pose may have the power to cure whatever ails you.

Extended Triangle Pose is a quintessential standing pose that stretches and strengthens the whole body.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana can be whatever you need—energizing, rejuvenating, or luxuriously restorative.

Bump up your energy (and confidence!) by bending back into Camel Pose. Ustrasana counteracts slouching and relieves lower back pain with a generous, heart-opening stretch.

Virabhadrasana 1 is a foundational yoga pose that balances flexibility and strength in true warrior fashion.

Bend back into the shape of a bow to feel energetically locked, loaded, and ready to take aim.

Your upper body gets used frequently in yoga for stability, support, and to act as a strong base. Keep your arms and torso feeling fresh and ready for your next class.

Neck and shoulder pain can make daily activities a literal pain. Enter these poses that stretch, strengthen, and provide sweet relief.

Try these simple neck stretches for headaches and stress relief.

The vast majority of us tend to adopt this shoulders-hunched, neck-craned-forward posture regularly throughout our day thanks to our desk-bound jobs. Learn how yoga can reverse its effects.

Nixing neck rolls can actually help you relieve tension in your cervical spine.

Try this strap trick to increase postural awareness in the upper back and shoulders—and relieve the excess tension that accumulates there.

Whatever the root cause of your slumping, your yoga practice can help alleviate any resulting pain or dips in mood by bringing more balance to the muscles in your chest, upper back, and neck.

Stretch the upper back, spine, and shoulders; opens the chest; help release chronic tension in the shoulders and neck in Extended Puppy Pose.

The hunch in your shoulders and knots in your neck aren’t just uncomfortable, they carry an orthopedic risk. Amy Ippoliti created this practice to counteract "tech neck."

Stave off back and neck pain with better posture.

Take a spin in Bharadvaja's Twist to massage your abdominal organs and stretch your spine, shoulders, and hips.

The best preparation for a big backbend is a baby one. Locust Pose works the actions and strength needed for bigger bends.

Low Lunge, or Anjaneyasana in Sanskrit, stretches the thighs and groins and opens the chest. It provides recovery post-workout, and boosts energy while consciously working to improve posture.

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II allows you to stretch the entire front body and deep into the hip flexors to strengthen your back and improve posture.

This variation of High Lunge, sometimes called Crescent Pose, is a great preparation for the full version of Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose).

While neck rolls and stretches can be great for calming stressed students, they're not safe for everyone. Here, discover the two things you should be wary about, and how to teach yoga exercises for the neck safely to your students.

Learn to relax and overcome neck tension with this specialized sequence.

Can you practice Wheel with straight arms and Headstand without strain? Then, you're ready.

Kapotasana invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. This extremely deep backbend is appropriate for advanced practitioners only.

Sphinx Pose is the infant of backbends. It can be practiced with either an active or passive approach.

This pose gently lengthens and strengthens even stubbornly tight hamstrings.

Dolphin Pose strengthens the core, arms, and legs, while also nicely opening the shoulders.

Salabhasana or Locust Pose effectively preps beginners for deeper backbends, strengthening the back of the torso, legs, and arms.

Boost the body's energy and fight fatigue with Fish Pose, or Matsyasana in Sanskrit, while building confidence with a loving stretch in the shoulders. It is said that if you perform Matsyasana in water, you will be able to float like a fish.

Bharadvaja's Twist, or Bharadvajasana in Sanskrit, is a gentle and loving twist that inspires postural and body awareness.

Also called Seated Twist Pose or Ardha Matsyendrasana in Sanskrit, this pose energizes the spine and stimulate proper digestion while improving postural and body awareness.