Free Yoga Video: Somatic Yoga TLC for the Neck, Shoulders and Upper Back

Ready to learn the power of adding simple somatic movement to your practice? And, help improve your postural awareness and interoception at the same time?  Join James Knight of Gentle Somatic Yoga for three soothing practices to ease tension in neck and shoulders and build greater postural awareness.

Are you looking for a yoga practice that can help you release chronic tension, improve your posture, and enhance your body awareness? Look no further than these three Gentle Somatic Yoga practices, developed by James Knight, a leading expert in the field of somatics and yoga.

Experience how slow, mindful movements that prioritize the felt sense of the body from the inside out can create a whole different experience in your yoga practice.

By tuning into the subtle sensations of the muscles, bones, and connective tissues, you can often help to release habitual patterns of holding and tension, often referred to as sensory motor amnesia.

To get the most out of this somatic movement flows for the neck, shoulders and upper back, be sure move slowly and smoothly, with an attitude of exploration and discovery. James recommends keeping your focus inward, noticing the feelings and sensations that arise as they move through the practice.

One of the key benefits of Gentle Somatic Yoga is its ability to enhance proprioception and interoception – the senses of the body’s position in space and its internal state, respectively. By developing these critical skills, you can more easily identify postural imbalances, and you may also find that you respond more effectively to stress and tension in your daily life by becoming more alert to when you tense up and feel stress.

In this practice, James guides you through series of gentle, yet powerful movements that target the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back – areas where many people hold chronic tension, especially those who spend long hours working at a computer.

The practice includes three main somatic movement flows for the neck, shoulders, and upper back:

1. Celtic Cross: This movement flow focuses on the muscles of the shoulders and upper back, helping to release tension and improve mobility in these areas. By exploring different angles and vectors of movement, learn to identify and release areas of sensory motor amnesia, leading to greater ease and freedom in the upper body.

2. Somatic Neck Release: This practice targets the muscles of the neck, helping to release chronic tension and improve alignment of the cervical spine. Gently rotating the head and neck in different directions, can help to re-establish healthy patterns of muscle activation and release, leading to reduced pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.

3. Looking Over the Shoulder: This movement flow combines elements of the Celtic Cross and Somatic Neck Release, helping to integrate the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Simulating the action of looking over the shoulder, as if checking blind spots while driving, this practice can help improve their range of motion and reduce tension in these areas.

By developing greater “muscle of awareness” through the practice of interoception, you may find that you are also cultivating a deeper sense of intuition and self-knowledge that can support you in all areas of their lives.

Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner looking to deepen your practice, Gentle Somatic Yoga offers a powerful and accessible path to greater body awareness, ease, and well-being. With James Knight as your guide, experience the transformative power of this unique approach to yoga and somatics.

3 Somatic Movement Flows to Improve Posture