line
stringlengths
1
117
neck and provide an opportunity for antirigidity
Illustration Alternating between neck extension and neck retraction
An exercise that alternates between neck retraction and extension is often first in a series
of hot yoga poses It is sometimes called standing deep breathing because it is traditionally
done simultaneously with a form of paced breathing My initial experiences with this yoga
routine strongly influenced the Program Peace method because they made it incredibly clear
Chapter Antirigidity for the Neck and Shoulders
how effective paced breathing is in the healing process firmly recommend these poses as a
daily practice You can easily find videos online Now for some other exercises that used daily
will remodel your neck
Neck Exercise Neck Extension and Rotation
Lie on your back on the floor Lift the head an inch off the ground and turn the head from
side to side As you do this either touch your chin to each shoulder or touch each ear to the
ground Repeat times or until you reach fatigue You can do this with the neck
retracted or protracted flexed or extended
Mgr
fo Da Se
When socialized in my twenties must have been bracing and immobilizing practically
every muscle in my neck Looking back on it now my neck was like an ankle that had been
sprained over and over but never iced massaged stretched or exercised More than anything
else exercises and have brought it close to optimality The following lists other
helpful routines you can use to limber your neck right up
Neck Exercises Various Neck Antirigidity Postures
Like all the exercises in this chapter these are intended to be combined with diaphragmatic
breathing and the antirigidity technique Use the different positions described here to find
and rehab dormant achy muscle
Lie on your back on the floor with your head on the ground Lift the chin to the center
of your chest sternum and then lower it back to the floor Repeat times or
until fatigued To make this harder each time you lower your head look to either the
right or the left
Lie on your stomach on the floor Lift the head off the ground and rotate it from right
to left touching your right ear to the ground then your left Repeat times
PROGRAM PEACE Self Care Exercises to Reprogram Your Mind and Body
Hang your head and neck off the edge of the bed while lying on your back Tilt your
head as far back as it will go and look at the floor Then turn your head from side to
side to times Enjoy the stretch as you hang and sway
Swiss
While standing look straight ahead Retract your neck then bend you neck to the
side so that your right ear approaches your right shoulder Hold for seconds then
bend the left ear toward the left shoulder Repeat times
fe a
a
Le
While standing retract your neck and rotate your head to the right as far as it will go
Hold for seconds then rotate to the left Repeat times Do this again with the
neck protracted
rift
Chapter Antirigidity for the Neck and Shoulders
Bend your head forward as far as it will go to look at the ground With the neck in
total flexion gently retract the neck from this position for five seconds then protract
it for five Rest focusing on the ache For additional pressure interlock your fingers
behind your head allowing the weight to gently pull your neck further downward
anahal
Place a towel around your neck like a scarf to provide support Roll your head in a
large circle Do this times Be sure to alternate directions Perform this slowly
allowing the neck to hang as much as possible while rotating This will mobilize the
muscles at the bottom of the neck to execute the rotations
Draw a circle in front of your face with your nose Doing so will utilize the muscles at
the top of the neck to execute the rotation Do this times As you alternate
directions of the circle try varying its size You might try drawing triangles or squares
AAA
PROGRAM PEACE Self Care Exercises to Reprogram Your Mind and Body
Lie on your back on a group of pillows or a large stability ball The goal is to create a
global backward curve in your spine Let your entire neck relax extending your head
completely back While remaining on the ball cradle your head in your hands and pull
your chin up to your chest and hold it there Now retract it actively Stretch into the
aching sensation there between your neck and your shoulder blades
SERIES
Lie on your back and cradle your neck with your hands Perform tiny situps or
crunches that only lift your neck and shoulders off the ground Focus on kyphosis in
your necka full forward arch Use the muscles in your throat to perform these
modified situps The muscles in the back of your neck will stabilize the action
getting a great stretch in the process Try looking to either side while performing this
neck situp
Have you ever wondered why a collared shirt is an essential aspect of proper business
attire believe it is to obscure the extent of neck protraction so that neck posture does not
play a role in corporate politics The boss or manager may be the best person for a leadership
role but their lack of neck retraction might communicate to their underlings that they do not
have a lifetime history of leadership experience This could undermine their authority Also the
person with the straightest neck is not necessarily the most knowledgeable and thus should not
have undue influence on business matters You want your companys hierarchy based on
diligence and competence believe that like suit jackets with padded shoulders collars level
the playing field of physicality
believe that people who emerged from childhood with their neck mobility intact have a
more dominant physical presence The way their head is situated absolutely shines and its
natural motion is intimidatingly smooth and beautiful It is also usually easy for these people to
build upper body muscle Your neck may have become stiff and hunched before you reached
Chapter Antirigidity for the Neck and Shoulders
puberty but it still has the potential to be remobilized to its optimal extent These exercises will
rehabilitate aspects of your neck that you havent used in years After reclaiming your muscles
and the coordination to use them you will find that they contribute subtly to everything you
do A retracted neck with no dormancy or frailty appears striking and even ostentatious but
you wont feel guilty about it because the people struck by it will know you cant help it
Optimal neck carriage is something that cannot be faked
Illustration Additional antirigidity poses for the neck
Simulate Vomiting to Stimulate Missing Corners in the Neck
Sometimes when throw up feel a gratifying crack in my neck An ancient reflexive motor arc
is actuated during vomiting that contracts all the attachments in the neck in series allowing you
to access muscles you normally have no conscious control of Take advantage of this by
performing neck antirigidity while you pretend to vomit