This 18-minute short video will guide you through simple somatic yoga movements that target the upper body. These mindful exercises are designed to relieve unconscious tension and tightness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.
The typical culprits of tension and discomfort in the upper body are stress, poor posture, and long hours spent sitting in front of a screen. Fortunately, somatic yoga movements can help alleviate these issues and promote relaxation and well-being.
Somatic yoga is a form of movement therapy that emphasises internal awareness and mindful movement. The practice involves slow, gentle, and deliberate actions that are not forced, helping to release tension, increase mobility and re-establish a lost connection with forgotten or overlooked body parts.
In this accessible and practical practice, you will find a selection of soothing movements, including gently tilting your head from side to side and taking care to move slowly and mindfully. This movement helps discover and let go of the tension and discomforts in the neck and improves mobility in the cervical spine.
Another helpful somatic movement exercise focuses on the shoulders and neck simultaneously, a common tension area for many people. To perform this movement on one side only, move the ear and the shoulder towards each other simultaneously and effortlessly and let go after the first movement is finished. Repeat up to 8 times on each side. This exercise helps release tension in the shoulder girdle, with the muscles and soft tissues supporting the neck, and promotes relaxation in the upper body.
Finally, the video will guide you through other soothing, connecting, and releasing movements that help release tension in the upper back and improve mobility in the thoracic spine.
Incorporating somatic yoga movements into your daily routine can help undo negative habits and discomfort in the upper body, replacing them with space, relief, and a relaxed body and mind.
So take a few minutes out of your day to try these simple exercises and experience the benefits of somatic yoga for yourself.