Neck & Shoulder Release Practice with Kate

is a gentle, guided seated yoga and movement practice led by an instructor named Kate, focused on releasing tension in the neck and shoulders. Kate opens by explaining the connection between neck/shoulder tension and jaw clenching, noting how that tension ripples through the body — affecting the voice box, the abdominal diaphragm, and the pelvic floor — ultimately impacting breathing quality and overall energy. The session begins with shoulder rotations synced to the breath, followed by side stretches to open the lateral body. The bulk of the practice involves a series of resistance-based neck exercises — with hands interlaced at the back and front of the head — designed to teach the neck muscles to consciously contract and release. Kate then guides lateral neck stretches with the hand providing gentle resistance from above, followed by seated spinal twists (which she notes also help reset the vagus nerve). The session wraps up with a seated cat-cow to mobilize the spine, ending on a reflective, meditative note with a Namaste. It's a short, approachable practice that requires no equipment and can be done from a chair or the floor.