In day to day life most of the people tone up their abs, waist, chest, thighs, arms and legs, very few of them ever think of going beyond that. While the rest of our body might benefit from a single exercise, like jogging or swimming, firming up the neck area requires you to undertake completely different exercises.
There are a few exercises which are very helpful in firming neck area. First of all sit down on a mat and fold your legs in a comfortable position. While keeping your spine straight, start tilting behind your head slowly. After you feel that you cannot stretch anymore, stay in the position and hold for 10-15 counts. Now, come back to the original position and wait for 5 seconds. Repeat the procedure, at least 5-7 times. Another effective exercise is, sit on a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Look straight and place your shoulders in a relaxing position. Keeping your shoulders unmoved, turn your head all the way to your right until you will feel a stretch in the skin above the collarbone. Remain in the position for 8-10 seconds. Come back to the original position and repeat same on the left side. Do around 3-5 sets.
A relaxing exercise is you sit on a chair, with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Relax your shoulders and look straight for a few seconds. Without moving your shoulders, tilt your neck to right side and you will feel a stretch on the left side of your neck. Stay in the same position for 5-8 seconds. Come back to the normal position and repeat the same on left side. Do at least 5 sets at a time.
You can also do general neck firming exercises. Spread a mat on the floor and bend down on your hand and knees. Keeping your neck, spine and elbows straight, drop your head down and start inhaling slowly. As you exhale, lift up your head, towards the roof. While doing this, curve your back downwards and repeat the procedure, at least 7-8 times. Sit on a chair, with your feet firmly touching the ground. Again, keep your shoulders relaxed, look straight.
Another exercise is, tilt back your head and look straight up. Now keeping your mouth closed, move your lower jaw up and down. Do this 10-15 times. Repeat at least 3 sets of this. Tilt your head backwards while sitting comfortably and look straight up and feel the stretch in the neck and with your mouth closed, move the lower jaw up and down. Repeat for around 10-15 counts and drop your head. Do a total of 3-5 sets. Again, the method has to be kept same as above which basically include your hand knee postures and keeping the neck, spine and elbows straight. Also, breathing procedures should be kept same as mentioned in previous exercises.
While doing these exercises be careful not to hurt your spine by putting more pressure on it. Stay calm and do them gently.
