Now we're really going to stretch the neck. We begin as usual in the ready stance, standing with back straight, feet shoulder width apart and arms relaxed at the sides.
Looking straight ahead, gently tuck the chin down, with the head balanced directly over the spine.
Take a deep breath. As you exhale, tilt your head to the right as far as you can. Take another deep breath.
One the next exhale, relax your left shoulder, allowing your left hand to slide down the side of your left leg. Inhale and exhale again before returning to the ready stance.
repeat this stretch, but this time tilting your head to the left and reaching your right arm down.
Continue this stretch, but modulate it to explore your neck's full range of motion. Start by turning your head halfway to your right shoulder. Take a deep breath. as you exhale, tuck your chin in to your right collarbone, bending the knees slightly. Inhale.
As you exhale, relax both shoulders, sliding the hands down the sides of the legs. Then, while you inhale, stand back up to center.
Repeat the same series of movements for your left side of your body. Finish by returning to the centered alignment of the ready stance.
Now turn and look as far to the right as you can, so that the chin is as close to edging over the right shoulder as possible. Look behind you as far as you can out of the corner of your right eye. Pick a spot and focus on it as you take another breath.
As you exhale, tilt the head back, looking straight up at the ceiling. Take another deep breath.
Now as you exhale, relax the shoulders again and slide both hands down the sides of the legs.
Inhale, returning to the ready stance. Repeat this sequence for your left side.
- The Lower-Body Lowdown (40 seconds to a minute)