8 Yoga Shoulder Stretches for Neck and Back Pain 

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1. Thread the Needle Pose (Parsva Balasana) 

Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position. Reach your right arm underneath your body to the left, palm facing up, while lowering your right shoulder and cheek to the mat. 

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2. Cow Face Pose Arms (Gomukhasana Arms) 

Sitting or standing, reach your right arm overhead, bend the elbow, and let your hand fall between your shoulder blades. Take your left hand behind your back and try to clasp your right hand.  

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3. Eagle Arms (Garudasana Arms) 

Extend your arms straight in front of your body. Cross your right arm over your left and bend your elbows. Twist your forearms so your palms meet. Lift your elbows while keeping your shoulders down.  

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4. Shoulder Stretch with a Strap 

Hold a yoga strap, towel, or belt with both hands, wider than shoulder-width apart. Keeping your arms straight, lift them over your head and behind you as far as comfortable. This helps stretch the shoulders and improve mobility. 

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5. Cat-Cow Stretch (Marjaryasana and Bitilasana) 

Begin in a tabletop position. Inhale as you drop your belly towards the mat, lifting your chin and chest, coming into Cow pose. Exhale as you draw your belly to your spine, rounding your back toward the ceiling into Cat pose. 

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6. Child's Pose with Side Stretch (Balasana) 

From tabletop, lower your buttocks towards your heels and stretch your arms forward on the mat. Walk your hands to the right for a left side stretch, then to the left for a right side stretch, holding each side for several breaths. 

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7. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) 

Start in tabletop, then lift your hips up and back, forming an inverted V shape with your body. Press firmly through your hands while drawing your shoulders away from your ears. This pose stretches the shoulders, back, and hamstrings. 

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8. Seated Neck Stretch 

Sit in a comfortable position. Place your right hand on the left side of your head and gently pull your head towards your right shoulder, keeping your left shoulder down. Hold for several breaths, then switch sides. 

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