Relieve Neck & Shoulder Pain with Somatic Stretches

This video will show you a few yummy stretches for the neck and shoulders that can be done seated in a chair to ease the desk slump or as a warm up for whatever you do with your neck and shoulders today that brings you joy.
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[@AlexIglecia]

Fantastic. The breath-pace of this makes a great difference compared to pure holding or "flow" that hardly has time to be effective. Thanks!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for commenting on the helpfulness of breath pace. Very important 🙏

[@lynnehbauer5737]

Love somatics and being a somatic therapist myself I hope there are more people addressing the body this way.. keep going!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for sharing the work Lynn and yes to approaching the body this way for all!

[@janjohnson3575]

Just stumbled across this video and I think I'll be doing this everyday for a while. Pretty incredible and helpful.
Thanks

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for connecting and finding my channel. Take care of yourself - I hope my videos can help bring you joy ☮️

[@michellenattrass8951]

Just done this video as I was looking for something g to relieve tension and pain in my face due to trigeminal neuralgia. Wow, so much tension has been released and I feel lighter and taller! My pain has also lessened. I can't wait to try the other videos and this will be a weekly practice. Thank you ❤

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thank you for letting me know it is helpful with trigeminal neuralgia and sending you peace on your self healing exploration Michelle 🤗

[@MeganMacCarthy]

This might be a good video too. ruclips.net/video/llUfW8Cmsnw/видео.htmlsi=OjNpTPNVkNd20buG

[@loriprewitt3350]

Hello, I just found this video and already notice a difference after a few times stretching. I'm curious about something the clap and pause that takes place before the eagle arms stretch. I'm assuming its some technique. Would you mind explaining the purpose of the intentional clap and pause sequence?

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Nope, no technique - just an amateur video mistake 🤪! It was meant to be cut out! But clapping is always fun!

[@joostwinckers8778]

Thank u Megan, I found this video thru some research into the central nervous system and the vagus nerve. I’ve had a pretty major mtb accident and am in the recovery process. This has given me some very gentle movements that provide a huge release. Thank u again

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for commenting and sharing your success. I had not considered this practice for vagus nerve, but at its best it should stimulate the relaxation response. Best to you in your healing and I hope you are on your bike again soon. Peace, Megan

[@MelissaMcLean-uo1zl]

I've been following you for a few weeks now! Love, love, love your practice! I'm learning so much about how to release tension.

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for introducing yourself Melissa and for the kind words. Keep exploring your body with curiosity and kindness.

[@barryevans6757]

Yes the neck & shoulders certainly feel majorly grumpy, so much tightness, everything clenched; the shoulders default mode is hunching and clenching, probably the whole back too; so grateful that working with you is bringing all this to light, I had no idea; I've been stuck in a mode of adding to and reinforcing it with the body-work I was doing, until this past week or two;

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for commenting Barry. I was in that stuck mode too - thinking my exercise and yoga was healing when really it was just taking me deeper into the “grumpy” patterns. My joke with somatics is it will help you find yourself flaws so you can fix them and enjoy the other things you love to do.

[@barryevans6757]

@@MeganMacCarthy Ah, that's interesting to hear; It seems clear that this little body has been brutalized, ignoring of symptoms, addiction to the toughest exercising until no longer possible; your offerings feel like a very welcoming port in a storm;

[@vanitalakhwala9381]

Lovely clarification for the neck and upper body. Tension released! Thank you, Meghan. Blessings.

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thank you again Vanita for your comment and blessings to you as well. 🙏🙏🙏

[@AngiStewart]

WOW! I am going to have to do this 2-3 times a day to continue to feel relaxed.

[@MeganMacCarthy]

A few times a week should do it!

[@lolapapa5297]

I love how this sequence release tension from the backbends on my vinyasa practice
No need to mention the emotional struggle in this area
Very much needed
What you offer generously is very much appreciated

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks Lola, it is wonderful to know that the video can help you to keep doing your yoga! Peace, Megan

[@lolapapa5297]

@@MeganMacCarthy Not only continue my practice
Somatics bring an unexpected calmness in my life
A calmness that until now I went through great turbulence to find it
Never through yoga practice ashtanga vinyasa hatha or yin yoga ever had the opportunity to experience
I found self so lucky to practice with you and a magnificent iyengar yoga teacher
Both of you are the jewel the most valuable through everyday life
Namaste

[@MeganMacCarthy]

@@lolapapa5297 you are blessed to be in good hands, though I wish I could practice with you in person. And give yourself the pat on the back that you well deserve - the teacher is only as successful as our students are dedidcated to helping themselves. Love and Light, Megan

[@donkeyswin]

I"ve had a mild migraine for 3 weeks. Is this one the best video to help with headaches (I think stemming from upper neck pain)

[@MeganMacCarthy]

This video is specifically for headache and may be more useful. Somatic Yoga For Tension Headache With Marma Point Meditation
ruclips.net/video/vI8VPqFq6zA/видео.html

[@MeganMacCarthy]

And also this one for TMJ: Yoga Therapy for TMJ and Facial Pain
ruclips.net/video/llUfW8Cmsnw/видео.html

[@ruthgommo8397]

Beautiful and I love your energy x

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks so much for practicing with me and for your kindness 💕

[@CherylHerrick]

This felt great. Thanks Megan!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

I appreciate tour kind comment Cheryl 🙏

[@12Lilmeyer]

Thank you so much! This was great!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thank you 🙏 some of my favorite shoulder stretches!

[@carolobrocki9206]

Can I do this if I have a chronic low back condition? Thank you. I want to try doing this video because I have upper back and neck and shoulder pain.. Thank you so much.

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Yes you can. I recommend you sit on a chair instead of the floor though so your low back is in a position of comfort and care. Let me know how it goes. 🙏

[@wendykohlhaas9327]

Thank you Megan..this felt great!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks Wendy! Wonderful to hear from you and hope you are making beautiful healing music 🎶

[@carmgirl-dm3ms]

you are an angel. thank you

[@MeganMacCarthy]

That is very kind. I hope it helps you to spread your wings as well 😁

[@Cubelixa]

That was awesome! Thanks a lot.

[@MeganMacCarthy]

You are very welcome and thanks for commenting.

[@carrieannbaatz7182]

Thank you for offering this!!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

I hope it was helpful ✌️

[@christievallance760]

That was great! Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks Christie for commenting and happy solstice!

[@Loafthebred]

My neck and shoulders are in a much better mood!😁 ty! just curious what the claps were for? (Refocusing )?

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Glad it helped! The claps?! I would like to make up something clever but just a bad edit job 😆 sometimes I get so relaxed and into my body I forget what’s next!

[@Loafthebred]

@@MeganMacCarthy ha!ha! I thought it WAS a clever way to bring yourself back.

[@MeganMacCarthy]

@@Loafthebred my secrets in amateur videography 👍

[@annelisenes7478]

thanks Megan - my neck is very happy now :)

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks Anne Lise! ☀️✌️

[@larbredevie5418]

Lovely thank you ❤

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks for the acknowledgment 🙏

[@elli8438]

Thanks!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

🙏🌈✌️

[@mrspea23]

I found my lower back hurt while doing these exercises (I was sitting on a chair). Is it possible to do the exercises while standing up instead?

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Hi Eleanor, yes, of course if you are more comfortable you can do them standing. You might want to try this one as well since there is some standing. ruclips.net/video/ATH5J4gzgtQ/видео.html

[@margysfavourites8444]

Very helpful 🙏

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thank you! A good old standard for sure 👍

[@girlwithflowers8058]

This was great, thank you so much!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Wonderful to know it was helpful and thank you for commenting 🙏

[@amyjackson8529]

Thank you 🙏

[@MeganMacCarthy]

I appreciate your comment and connection Amy ✌️

[@UnicornKin20]

Yaaaaaahhhh!!!!!!!! You got your 10K followers!!!!!!!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Haaaa! Thank you for noticing 🎉 🎈☮️

[@hilaryfox5655]

Super helpful!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks Hillary. Good to hear from you! XO

[@d.haskins3840]

Ty very much

[@MeganMacCarthy]

I hope it helped ☮️

[@chelsealee1973]

Fantastic

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Two in a row for you Chelsea! Way to be!

[@7655kitten]

Thank you🙏💕

[@elainehewitt6813]

What was the clapping for?

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Bad video editing!

[@larisatikhomirova8560]

Thank you dear !

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Peace Larissa ✌️

[@janinaking6603]

Great !!

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks Janina 😁

[@cynthiaschuessler7925]

❤

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Thanks 🙏

[@larisatikhomirova8560]

No sound again???

[@MeganMacCarthy]

Sound is working Larisa. Sorry for your issues.