Levator Scapula is a muscle that attaches at the inner upper corner of your shoulder blade (scapula), and onto the sides of the cervical vertebrae in your neck. Often, when we are under stress or strain, that lower attachment point can get pretty tender (Try poking it right now! See?)
This stretch can help encourage the muscle to let go and boost circulation.
Sitting down with your spine nice and tall, sit on your left land to keep that shoulder immobilized. Bring your head forward into a chin tuck, then maintaining this position tilt your head to the right and rotate it to bring your nose as close to your right armpit as is comfortable. Visualize trying to sniff your right armpit without moving your shoulders. You can use the weight of your right hand on your head to gently guide into this position. Make sure you stop moving into the stretch as soon as you feel a pull, and never stretch into pain. Check in that your spine is still tall and straight. Breathe fully and comfortably for 30 seconds, release, and repeat on the other side.
Sarah Crocker, RMT