Health and Me

Aarushi Bhadury

Woke Up On The Wrong Side Of Bed? Shoulder And Neck Yoga Stretches For Relief

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Sometimes sleeping in the wrong position can turn out to be detrimental to your body. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed could result in stiff muscles, which cause immense pain.  So, how does one fix this issue? 

Yoga is a great way to solve muscle or body pain. With the help of asanas and stretches, you can <span>relax your body and be relieved of the pain.</span> Not only will they help you start your day, devoid of pain, but you will also get a burst of energy to get you through the day. 

You don't have to be a yoga expert or incredibly flexible to do many of these poses. There are many online tutorials, videos and guides that can help you build and practice the routine. These poses are especially helpful for those mornings when you wake up with tightness and stiffness in your neck and shoulders, offering a way to find some relief before the day's <span>tension builds up even more.</span> 

Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. Roll shoulders down. Bring arms forward, bend elbows. Cross your right arm under your left, and try to touch your palms. Pull shoulders down, lift elbows, move hands away from face. Breathe deeply into your upper back.

For a deeper stretch, gently tuck your chin to your chest. Feel it between your shoulders and back of your neck. Breathe slowly. Lift head and elbows, gently lean back a little. Stay and breathe. Then, release arms. Swing them out or bend like cactus arms to stretch your chest. Relax shoulders. Repeat other side.

Stand with feet a bit wider than hips. Clasp hands behind your lower back. Roll shoulders back, open chest. Bend knees a little, fold forward. Reach knuckles up and over your head. If hands clasped hurts, just let them hang. Let your head be heavy, relax your face. Try to lift knuckles higher and breathe.

Release your hands. Grab opposite elbows. Gently sway side to side. Slowly turn your head from side to side. This helps release any tightness in your neck and upper back. Just let your body move gently and feel the stretch. 

From forward bend, put your hands on the floor. Step left foot way back, left knee down. Keep your left hand on floor. Reach your right hand to your lower back, roll your right shoulder back a little. Let your left ear move towards your left shoulder. Stay or gently move your head. Breathe smoothly and relax your hips.

Slowly come up. Put hands on floor by front foot. Step right foot back to meet left. Kneel, sit on heels. Put fingertips on your lower back, and bend your elbows. Squeeze your shoulders and elbows together. Lift your chest and open your collarbones. Breathe. Repeat the other side for Low Lunge. Repeat Thunderbolt.

Bring big toes together, widen knees gently. Lean forward, stretch arms out. Rest forehead on floor. For a deeper upper body stretch, put palms together, bend elbows, thumbs towards back of neck. Breathe slowly. If hands are in prayer, straighten arms slowly and walk hands back as you sit up.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Shoulder And Neck Yoga Stretches For Relief

Yoga & Asanas

Yoga for muscle or body pain

relax your body and be relieved of the pain.

wake up with tightness and stiffness in your nec

neck and shoulder

tension builds up even more.

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Sometimes sleeping in the wrong position can turn out to be detrimental to your body. Waking up on the wrong side of the bed could result in stiff muscles, which cause immense pain.  So, how does one fix this issue? Yoga is a great way to solve muscle or body pain. With the help of asanas and stretches, you can relax your body and be relieved of the pain. Not only will they help you start your day, devoid of pain, but you will also get a burst of energy to get you through the day. You don't have to be a yoga expert or incredibly flexible to do many of these poses. There are many online tutorials, videos and guides that can help you build and practice the routine. These poses are especially helpful for those mornings when you wake up with tightness and stiffness in your neck and shoulders, offering a way to find some relief before the day's tension builds up even more. Mountain Pose with Eagle Arms Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. Roll shoulders down. Bring arms forward, bend elbows. Cross your right arm under your left, and try to touch your palms. Pull shoulders down, lift elbows, move hands away from face. Breathe deeply into your upper back.Chin Tuck and BackbendFor a deeper stretch, gently tuck your chin to your chest. Feel it between your shoulders and back of your neck. Breathe slowly. Lift head and elbows, gently lean back a little. Stay and breathe. Then, release arms. Swing them out or bend like cactus arms to stretch your chest. Relax shoulders. Repeat other side.Standing Forward Bend Stand with feet a bit wider than hips. Clasp hands behind your lower back. Roll shoulders back, open chest. Bend knees a little, fold forward. Reach knuckles up and over your head. If hands clasped hurts, just let them hang. Let your head be heavy, relax your face. Try to lift knuckles higher and breathe. Rag Doll Pose Release your hands. Grab opposite elbows. Gently sway side to side. Slowly turn your head from side to side. This helps release any tightness in your neck and upper back. Just let your body move gently and feel the stretch. Low Lunge with Neck Stretch From forward bend, put your hands on the floor. Step left foot way back, left knee down. Keep your left hand on floor. Reach your right hand to your lower back, roll your right shoulder back a little. Let your left ear move towards your left shoulder. Stay or gently move your head. Breathe smoothly and relax your hips.Thunderbolt with a Backbend Slowly come up. Put hands on floor by front foot. Step right foot back to meet left. Kneel, sit on heels. Put fingertips on your lower back, and bend your elbows. Squeeze your shoulders and elbows together. Lift your chest and open your collarbones. Breathe. Repeat the other side for Low Lunge. Repeat Thunderbolt.Child’s Pose Bring big toes together, widen knees gently. Lean forward, stretch arms out. Rest forehead on floor. For a deeper upper body stretch, put palms together, bend elbows, thumbs towards back of neck. Breathe slowly. If hands are in prayer, straighten arms slowly and walk hands back as you sit up. 

woke up on the wrong side of bed? shoulder and neck yoga stretches for relief

Experiencing Sharp Back Pain? Tackle Upper Back Pain With These Yoga Poses

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Good posture is super important for a healthy spine and strong upper back muscles. But simply sitting up straight isn't always enough to prevent or fix upper <span>back pain</span>. That's where <span>yoga poses</span> can really help! 

Everyday habits, things like texting, typing on a computer, or carrying a heavy bag can worsen your pain. Medical experts also point to overusing your back muscles or pressure on your spinal nerves from a herniated disc as other common causes. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">Yoga Poses For Upper Back Pain</span> </h2>

While <span>yoga</span> can definitely help ease upper back pain, it's important to practice safely to avoid further injury. Claudia Jasper advises that when you do these stretches, always be mindful not to let your shoulders roll forward. Instead, actively roll your shoulders back throughout your practice. This movement helps your shoulder blades slide down your back, opening your chest and keeping your spine long and healthy. 

If you have ongoing (chronic) upper back pain, always talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. 

<h2>Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana) </h2>

This gentle flow is a fantastic way to warm up and energize your upper back. Make sure to move slowly and smoothly between the two poses. You can do this classic pair on your hands and knees (Tabletop position) or even while sitting comfortably in Easy Pose. 

<h2>Thread the Needle Pose (Urdhva Mukha Pasasana) </h2>

This calming pose is excellent for opening your upper back and releasing tension in your shoulders. It encourages your shoulder blades to move away from your spine, creating more length and space. Start from a Tabletop position to enter this pose. 

Eagle Arms is a great stretch for your upper back and shoulders. You can do this arm position on its own, while sitting in a chair, or as part of the full Eagle Pose. You can also combine it with Hero Pose for added benefits. 

<h2>Extended Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana) </h2>

Can't decide between the relaxation of Child's Pose and the stretch of Downward-Facing Dog? Extended Puppy Pose combines elements of both! It helps to lengthen and stretch your entire spine. Claudia Jasper loves this pose for opening the chest and shoulders, which is key for relieving upper back pain. You can even place a block under your forehead for extra comfort. 

Camel Pose is a favorite of Jasper's for upper back relief. This gentle backbend opens your heart, chest, and shoulders, allowing you to breathe more deeply into your upper body. You can adjust how deep the stretch is by keeping your hands on your lower back or placing them on blocks. 

<h2>Supported Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) </h2>

Give your upper back some much-needed relief in this supported, relaxing pose. Claudia Jasper particularly likes using a bolster (a long pillow) for an extra chest stretch. To set up, place the bolster along your spine at the top of your mat. Sit down at the top of your mat, bring the soles of your feet together with your knees spread open, and gently lie back onto the bolster so it's aligned with your spine. 

Experiencing Sharp Back Pain

Tackle Upper Back Pain

Yoga Poses

Yoga Poses For Upper Back Pain

Back Pain

spine health

yoga & asanas

yoga

Good posture is super important for a healthy spine and strong upper back muscles. But simply sitting up straight isn't always enough to prevent or fix upper back pain. That's where yoga poses can really help! Everyday habits, things like texting, typing on a computer, or carrying a heavy bag can worsen your pain. Medical experts also point to overusing your back muscles or pressure on your spinal nerves from a herniated disc as other common causes. Yoga Poses For Upper Back Pain While yoga can definitely help ease upper back pain, it's important to practice safely to avoid further injury. Claudia Jasper advises that when you do these stretches, always be mindful not to let your shoulders roll forward. Instead, actively roll your shoulders back throughout your practice. This movement helps your shoulder blades slide down your back, opening your chest and keeping your spine long and healthy. If you have ongoing (chronic) upper back pain, always talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine. Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) and Cow Pose (Bitilasana) This gentle flow is a fantastic way to warm up and energize your upper back. Make sure to move slowly and smoothly between the two poses. You can do this classic pair on your hands and knees (Tabletop position) or even while sitting comfortably in Easy Pose. Thread the Needle Pose (Urdhva Mukha Pasasana) This calming pose is excellent for opening your upper back and releasing tension in your shoulders. It encourages your shoulder blades to move away from your spine, creating more length and space. Start from a Tabletop position to enter this pose. Eagle Arms (Garudasana) Eagle Arms is a great stretch for your upper back and shoulders. You can do this arm position on its own, while sitting in a chair, or as part of the full Eagle Pose. You can also combine it with Hero Pose for added benefits. Extended Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana) Can't decide between the relaxation of Child's Pose and the stretch of Downward-Facing Dog? Extended Puppy Pose combines elements of both! It helps to lengthen and stretch your entire spine. Claudia Jasper loves this pose for opening the chest and shoulders, which is key for relieving upper back pain. You can even place a block under your forehead for extra comfort. Camel Pose (Ustrasana) Camel Pose is a favorite of Jasper's for upper back relief. This gentle backbend opens your heart, chest, and shoulders, allowing you to breathe more deeply into your upper body. You can adjust how deep the stretch is by keeping your hands on your lower back or placing them on blocks. Supported Reclining Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana) Give your upper back some much-needed relief in this supported, relaxing pose. Claudia Jasper particularly likes using a bolster (a long pillow) for an extra chest stretch. To set up, place the bolster along your spine at the top of your mat. Sit down at the top of your mat, bring the soles of your feet together with your knees spread open, and gently lie back onto the bolster so it's aligned with your spine. 

experiencing sharp back pain? tackle upper back pain with these yoga poses

Can You Do Yoga While Travelling?

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You've just finished a long trip, whether by car, plane, or train, and your body feels stiff and achy. Being cooped up in small spaces can leave you feeling tense and uncomfortable. But what if you could stretch out and feel better right from your seat? 

Yoga is a fantastic stress reliever. Through deep breathing exercises and mindful movements, it helps calm your nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol. This shift from a "fight or flight" state to a more relaxed one helps your body restore itself, leading to feelings of tranquility and mental clarity. 

Regular yoga practice can also significantly improve sleep quality. By reducing stress and calming the mind, it prepares your body for a deeper, more restful sleep, which is essential for feeling truly rejuvenated. 

<h2><span rel="noindex">How Yoga After Travel Helps</span> </h2>

Yoga helps your muscles and joints in several key ways. Its gentle stretches increase your flexibility and range of motion, allowing your joints to move more easily and reducing daily stiffness and aches. Poses to Ease Travel Aches and Pains 

Here are shares easy yet effective yoga tips for long car rides and other travel, even when space is tight. These simple motions can help you feel much better and make your journey more comfortable. 

This gentle movement helps your spine become more flexible and lubricated, creating subtle space between your backbones. It also increases blood flow, which can help you feel refreshed. Remember to coordinate your breath with the movement, exhaling as you lean forward and inhaling as you round your spine. 

Even in a cramped airplane or car seat, you can give your back a good stretch. These twists gently stretch your middle body, ribs, and the muscles you use for breathing. They can even provide a light massage to your internal organs, helping you feel more relaxed and comfortable on your journey. 

Simple and effective, slow neck rolls are easy to do on any trip. They loosen tight muscles, helping to ease tension that often builds up in your shoulders and neck during travel. Just imagine your nose drawing a slow circle on a clock in front of you, letting the weight of your head guide the stretch. 

Release tension and loosen up your shoulder muscles with these easy, yet impactful, rolls. Slightly scoot forward in your seat so your back isn't touching the seatback. Then, draw circles with your shoulders, first in one direction (thinking "up, back, and down"), and then reverse. Keep your breath steady with each roll. 

This simple stretch is excellent for your lower and upper back. While it might require a little more room to lean forward, it's perfect for getting some movement in at the airport terminal or on trains and buses. Remember to keep your feet flat and breathe deeply as you fold forward gently. 

When you're on the go, the main idea is to move your body in different ways and pay attention to what it needs. Try to move as much as you can to help your blood flow, and always remember to breathe deeply. 

Yoga While Travelling

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How Yoga After Travel Helps

yoga & Asanas

Yoga for travelling

How yoga can help with stiff back

You've just finished a long trip, whether by car, plane, or train, and your body feels stiff and achy. Being cooped up in small spaces can leave you feeling tense and uncomfortable. But what if you could stretch out and feel better right from your seat? Yoga is a fantastic stress reliever. Through deep breathing exercises and mindful movements, it helps calm your nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol. This shift from a "fight or flight" state to a more relaxed one helps your body restore itself, leading to feelings of tranquility and mental clarity. Regular yoga practice can also significantly improve sleep quality. By reducing stress and calming the mind, it prepares your body for a deeper, more restful sleep, which is essential for feeling truly rejuvenated. How Yoga After Travel Helps Yoga helps your muscles and joints in several key ways. Its gentle stretches increase your flexibility and range of motion, allowing your joints to move more easily and reducing daily stiffness and aches. Poses to Ease Travel Aches and Pains Here are shares easy yet effective yoga tips for long car rides and other travel, even when space is tight. These simple motions can help you feel much better and make your journey more comfortable. Seated Cat-Cow Pose This gentle movement helps your spine become more flexible and lubricated, creating subtle space between your backbones. It also increases blood flow, which can help you feel refreshed. Remember to coordinate your breath with the movement, exhaling as you lean forward and inhaling as you round your spine. Seated Spinal Twist Even in a cramped airplane or car seat, you can give your back a good stretch. These twists gently stretch your middle body, ribs, and the muscles you use for breathing. They can even provide a light massage to your internal organs, helping you feel more relaxed and comfortable on your journey. Neck Rolls Simple and effective, slow neck rolls are easy to do on any trip. They loosen tight muscles, helping to ease tension that often builds up in your shoulders and neck during travel. Just imagine your nose drawing a slow circle on a clock in front of you, letting the weight of your head guide the stretch. Shoulder Rolls Release tension and loosen up your shoulder muscles with these easy, yet impactful, rolls. Slightly scoot forward in your seat so your back isn't touching the seatback. Then, draw circles with your shoulders, first in one direction (thinking "up, back, and down"), and then reverse. Keep your breath steady with each roll. Seated Forward Fold This simple stretch is excellent for your lower and upper back. While it might require a little more room to lean forward, it's perfect for getting some movement in at the airport terminal or on trains and buses. Remember to keep your feet flat and breathe deeply as you fold forward gently. When you're on the go, the main idea is to move your body in different ways and pay attention to what it needs. Try to move as much as you can to help your blood flow, and always remember to breathe deeply. 

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Everyone has their own goals and understandings of why they wish to <span>exercise in the gym</span>. Some people do so because they wish to lose weight, others do it to gain weight and increase muscle density. However, many people believe that building muscle takes time and a lot of effort. 

But do you actually need to spend hours at the gym to build muscle or get stronger? A recent study from Florida Atlantic University suggests otherwise. Researchers indicate that just a few focused sets might be all you need to see significant progress this summer. 

Published as a preprint on SportRxiv, the study reviewed numerous earlier investigations into training volume (how many sets per workout) and frequency (how often you train each week). 

The findings suggest you don't need super long gym sessions to get stronger or build muscle. There's a point where doing more doesn't really help, and it might even work against you, especially when you think about getting tired and how much time it takes. This goes against the common idea that doing more always leads to better results. 

<h2>Finding the "Just Right" Amount for Gains </h2>

The team looked at how the amount you train affects both how much your muscles grow and how strong you get. They found that doing more exercises can help, but only up to a certain point. 

For muscle growth, the benefits kept increasing until about 11 sets that involved the muscle indirectly or directly in one session. For strength, the best number was even smaller: just two sets that directly targeted the muscle or movement. 

<h2>What's the Difference Between Set Types? </h2>

It's helpful to know the difference between two kinds of sets: 

Fractional sets count all the work for a muscle group, whether it's the main exercise or not. For example, exercises for your triceps (the back of your arm) help with chest strength because they assist in pushing. So, even if you're not directly doing a chest exercise, triceps work can count. 

Direct sets, on the other hand, focus specifically on the muscle or movement you're testing. Think of doing bench presses to build chest strength – that's a direct set for your chest. 

<h2>Discovering the Point of No Extra Benefit </h2>

The study brought up a new idea: the Point of Undetectable Outcome Superiority (PUOS). This is the moment when doing more sets doesn't really add much extra benefit. The researchers believe this idea can help people create more efficient workout plans, saving them time while still getting results. 

If you're mainly looking to get stronger, the main takeaway is simple: doing just one to two tough, dedicated sets in each workout can really pay off! 

Instead of just adding more sets to a single workout, if you want to get stronger, you might get better results by working out more often but with shorter, more focused sessions. 

One thing you must keep in mind is that this study has not yet undergone peer review, and its findings should be considered preliminary. Of course, some people want to get every last bit of muscle growth they can, no matter how much effort it takes. For them, trying out higher amounts of sets makes sense, as long as they pay close attention to how well their body recovers. 

Building Muscles

frequency published

Strength training for muscle growth

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amount of exercise needed for muscle growth

exercise in the gym

Everyone has their own goals and understandings of why they wish to exercise in the gym. Some people do so because they wish to lose weight, others do it to gain weight and increase muscle density. However, many people believe that building muscle takes time and a lot of effort. But do you actually need to spend hours at the gym to build muscle or get stronger? A recent study from Florida Atlantic University suggests otherwise. Researchers indicate that just a few focused sets might be all you need to see significant progress this summer. Volume vs. Frequency Published as a preprint on SportRxiv, the study reviewed numerous earlier investigations into training volume (how many sets per workout) and frequency (how often you train each week). The findings suggest you don't need super long gym sessions to get stronger or build muscle. There's a point where doing more doesn't really help, and it might even work against you, especially when you think about getting tired and how much time it takes. This goes against the common idea that doing more always leads to better results. Finding the "Just Right" Amount for Gains The team looked at how the amount you train affects both how much your muscles grow and how strong you get. They found that doing more exercises can help, but only up to a certain point. For muscle growth, the benefits kept increasing until about 11 sets that involved the muscle indirectly or directly in one session. For strength, the best number was even smaller: just two sets that directly targeted the muscle or movement. What's the Difference Between Set Types? It's helpful to know the difference between two kinds of sets: Fractional sets count all the work for a muscle group, whether it's the main exercise or not. For example, exercises for your triceps (the back of your arm) help with chest strength because they assist in pushing. So, even if you're not directly doing a chest exercise, triceps work can count. Direct sets, on the other hand, focus specifically on the muscle or movement you're testing. Think of doing bench presses to build chest strength – that's a direct set for your chest. Discovering the Point of No Extra Benefit The study brought up a new idea: the Point of Undetectable Outcome Superiority (PUOS). This is the moment when doing more sets doesn't really add much extra benefit. The researchers believe this idea can help people create more efficient workout plans, saving them time while still getting results. If you're mainly looking to get stronger, the main takeaway is simple: doing just one to two tough, dedicated sets in each workout can really pay off! Instead of just adding more sets to a single workout, if you want to get stronger, you might get better results by working out more often but with shorter, more focused sessions. One thing you must keep in mind is that this study has not yet undergone peer review, and its findings should be considered preliminary. Of course, some people want to get every last bit of muscle growth they can, no matter how much effort it takes. For them, trying out higher amounts of sets makes sense, as long as they pay close attention to how well their body recovers. 

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