Listen to your neck

Quick and precise movements of the head were always essential to our survival as species – we needed to know what’s going on around us to stay safe. May be that’s why the two major muscles of the neck and upper back (trapezius and sternocleidomastoid) are innervated by the cranial nerve XI (also called “spinal accessory nerve”), unlike all other muscles of the body, which are innervated by the spinal nerves. The cranial nerve XI is intertwined with the famous Vagus nerve that regulates the state of our autonomic nervous system. This tells us that the tone and activity of the major neck muscles are closely tied to the state of our autonomic nervous system. Read more about it >

What does your neck tell you about the state of your autonomic nervous system? What does it tell you about your habitual physical activities and your mental state? Does your head feel supported by your upper body? This week let’s try to figure out what kind of message your neck is sending you.

HOW TO: Try this short yoga practice to get a better idea about what’s going on with your neck and upper back. Take your time and pay close attention to your sensations. Are you having trouble relaxing your muscles? Does your head want to turn to one side often? Is your jaw tense? How about your eyes? You can record your findings on the included Observation Sheet.

What does your neck say about your way of life?