Pilates Exercises for Upper Back and Neck Tightness
Pilates can be highly effective for relieving tightness in the upper back and neck by promoting posture awareness, improving spinal mobility, and releasing muscular tension. Here are some gentle and targeted Pilates exercises to help with those areas: 🔹 1. Shoulder Rolls Purpose: Releases tension in the upper traps and shoulders How to do it: Sit or stand tall. Inhale, lift your shoulders toward your ears. Exhale, roll them back and down. Repeat 8–10 times , then reverse the direction. 🔹 2. Neck Nods (Head Hover) Purpose: Engages deep neck flexors and reduces neck strain How to do it: Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat. Nod your head gently as if saying “yes,” keeping the back of your head in contact with the mat. Hold for a few seconds and release. Do 5–8 reps , moving slowly and smoothly. 🔹 3. Chest Lift (with support) Purpose: Strengthens core while supporting the neck How to do it: Lie on your...