jennifer brilliant logo
 
Don't Read in Bed   
Your habit puts your neck at risk!

One of the sweetest moments at the end of a long day is crawling into bed with a book. This wonderful moment can turn out to be a true source of pain in your neck because when you slump down with a book propped on your chest, your neck is pressed flat back against the pillow.  Soft as a pillow may seem, this position doesn't respect the natural curve of your neck. (For more info about the natural curve of your neck: click here for my Finding Neutral Blog). When your chin is tucked down towards your chest, the back of the neck is elongated.  Hold this position for a while and the muscles at the back of your neck that are stretched might stiffen up and maybe even spasm.  Imagine how soft, pulled taffy would harden if held in a lengthened position. That's what happens to your neck muscles if they are overstretched for a long time.



   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solution:  There IS an alternate position for reading in bed without pressure to your neck! Put your pillow/s up a bit higher.  Shift your pelvis back so that you are sitting on your buttocks. Hold the book up with your strong arms and keep your chin away from your chest.  It might not seem quite as cozy and it will take a little more effort at first.  But I promise that it will be worth the relief to your neck. 

   

 

 



Read More about
 
I hope that this is helpful!
Please let me know.
If you think it might help a friend, please share it.

_____________________________________________________________ 
_____________________________________________________________
 

If you want more info about your neck, this is where to get it:  

Yoga and the Alexander Technique
with
at 
   
June 23 - 25   Enlivening Your Postures  
  
June 25 - 28  Clear Eye, Light Touch: for Teachers


_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
 Yoga  
for
Kids & Teens
Now through June!

  Summer's Coming!

        Free Yoga in Prospect Park   
                Every Thursday
                       7:00 pm

           starts next week: May 23                    
         Jennifer teaches     
                  Thurs, Sept 5
JENNIFER BRILLIANT YOGA STUDIO
732A Carroll Street  (between 6th and 7th Aves)
Park Slope (Brooklyn), NY