Neck rotation

The primary muscle that turns your head side to side is your sternocleidomastoid. No, you don’t have to know how to spell it. It’s important to keep flexibility in this area because many of the movements in life require you to turn your head. Every time you look over your shoulder, you use this muscle.
Perform the following steps for this exercise:

1. Inhale and make sure that your shoulders are down, chest is lifted, and abdominals are in.
2. As you exhale, slowly turn your head to the right.
3. Find a focal point to stare at and hold this position for five seconds.
4. Inhale and release back to center.
5. As you exhale, turn your head again in the same direction and find another focal point a little farther than the first.
6. Hold this stretch for five seconds and release back to center.
7. Repeat the series, looking in the other direction.

A few do’s and don’ts for this stretch:

• Do breathe as you hold the stretch.
• Do anchor your shoulders so they face forward. You don’t want your shoulders to move as you turn your head.
• Do sit up or stand up tall as you hold the stretch.
• Don’t yank or force the stretch or you’ll do more harm than good; because these muscles work so hard all day holding your head up, they’re delicately balanced and easily injured.