Exercises To Slenderize The Neck

Exercises that engage the neck muscles will tighten and tone the neck as well as help alleviate neck alignment problems, according to the "Yoga Journal" article "Save Your Neck." A common misconception is that to strengthen and tone the muscles of the neck you need to apply weight or force, the opposite is true. To create a long neckline you need to learn how to relax your shoulders and trapezius muscles and lift from the jawline.

Pout and Lift

The pout and lift exercise engages and lengthens the muscles in the neck and jawline. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, and your shoulders upright over your hips. Relax your shoulders down away from your ears, inhale and pull your bottom lip up over your top lip. Exhale and lift your chin up toward the ceiling and hold for five to eight seconds. Feel the front of the neck stretch and lengthen and as you release the head down to a neutral position lift the head up out of the shoulders. Visualizing a string pulling you up to the ceiling from the middle of your head, as you pull your shoulders down away from your ears will help lengthen and engage the neck.

Side Lift Smile

The side lift smile engages the muscles on the sides of the neck. Begin this exercise sitting in a comfortable position, shoulders upright over your hips. Relax the shoulders down away from your ears and lift your head upright in a neutral position, facing straight forward. Inhale and slowly turn your head to look up at a right diagonal, at the same time smile as big as you can with your lips closed. Exhale and relax your smile as you bring your head back to center. Repeat this movement on the left side. Do 10 to 12 repetitions on each side.

No and Yes Shakes

The no and yes shake exercise is a common dance warm-up for the neck that engages each muscle of the neck. Begin standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, back upright and your shoulders down away from your ears. Slowly turn and look to your right, hold and shake yes two to three times by pulling your chin down toward your shoulder and then up toward the ceiling. Keep stress off the back of the neck by only extending back where it's comfortable for you. Slowly bring your head back to center and shake yes two to three times, chin to chest and chin to ceiling. Next, turn your head to the left and repeat the yes shake, then come back to center. Repeat the entire sequence two to three times, lifting your head up out of your neck and your neck up out of your shoulders as high as you can throughout the entire exercise.