Looking to the side
You gently turn your head to each side to loosen your neck.
Share it with your family
If you feel pain, stop. If you have a recent injury or surgery, check with your doctor before you start.
The steps, in writing
Look gently to one side.
Count one, two, three, four.
Breathe.
Now look to the other side.
Count one, two, three, four.
Breathe.
Safety notes
- Do it slowly, without forcing the turn.
- If you feel any pain in your neck, stop.
- You don't need to turn very far, only as far as is comfortable.
What you need
Nothing special: comfortable clothes and a firm chair.
Every step counts
This movement has levels: seated, holding a chair, and standing. Start at yours and stay there as long as you like — level 1 is already a complete practice, not a token version.
- Level 1 · Seated— On a firm chair, feet flat on the floorOn a firm chair, feet flat on the floor
- Level 2 · Holding a chair— Standing, holding on to a firm chairStanding, holding on to a firm chair
- Level 3 · Standing— Standing, with support nearby just in caseStanding, with support nearby just in case← this video
This exercise is very simple: turning your head to one side and then the other. It helps loosen your neck calmly, which is nice to do before starting anything else.
What Frank says
Translated from Frank’s Spanish narration.
Exercise twenty-nine, looking to the side. One, two, three, four, we breathe. Now to the other side. One, two, three, four, we breathe.
Related videos
Exercise 27
Supported forward bend
A gentle forward bend while seated in your chair, with your hands on your knees for support, to help your back move more freely and practise reaching towards your feet.
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Exercise 28
Unsupported forward bend
A gentle forward bend of your upper body while seated, with your hands out to the sides, to help your back move more freely.
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Exercise 30
Trimming your toenails
We practise trimming our toenails while standing, to work on reaching down and keeping our balance.
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Want to go deeper?
The complete method is in My Yoga Process, Frank Calber’s book.