Tuesday, March 3, 2009

3 Posture Improving Neck and Shoulder Exercises

By Rodney Williams

Poor posture is not really something that people worry about, and in fact the majority of people living with poor posture are completely unaware of it. Ailments that may be caused by poor posture such as increased tension in the back and shoulders are often passed off as being caused by other conditions.

Thankfully, poor posture is an ailment which can be easily corrected, thanks to some specific posture exercises which target the neck and shoulders areas, helping stretch out and limber up muscles. 3 of these exercises to improve posture are highlighted below.

1) Shoulder Release - Sit on a chair with your back straight, and your feet flat on the floor. Your arms should be hanging by your sides, palms facing towards your body. Now inhale deeply, and as you do so, raise your shoulders up to the level of your ears. Hold this position, then exhale and release your shoulders back to their normal position.

This exercise is one that imparts immediate benefits, and you'll likely feel the results after just one sitting. The muscles in your spine and shoulders get stretched out as a result of this posture exercise, increasing height and flexibility.

2) Turkey Stretch - As above, sit with your back straight, and feet flat on the floor. Keep your eyes fixed beyond the tip of your nose, and hold a hand to your chin. Now breath in deeply, keeping the hand pressed firmly enough on your chin so that you don't lose posture. You should feel yourself rising up as you fully inhale. This routine is also great for stretching out the back. Perform this a few times each sitting.

3) Turkey Stretch and Turn - This one is similar to the last, with some slight variations. You should be in a similar sitting posture. This time you want your chin tucked down to your neck. Inhale deeply in this position, and as you exhale, turn your neck to the right, while keeping your shoulders as still as possible.

Maintain this position until your next deep breath, then as you exhale, return your head slowly back to a forward position. Do this routine again, this time tilting your neck to the left. Do this 3 more times for each side.

These relaxing posture exercises are great for releasing tension and stress in your neck and shoulders, as well as having a great effect on your spine as well. Make it a habit of performing these stretches anytime you're sitting down, and you should soon see the benefits. - 16004

About the Author: