Cervical Nod

How to Teach the “Cervical Nod” Pilates Exercise, Including 15 Modifications, 10 Teaching Tips, and a 30-Minute Workout Plan

Greetings fellow Pilates teacher or serious student. My name is George Watts. I’m the creator of the Online Pilates Lesson Planner.

The “Cervical Nod” Pilates exercise is a fundamental movement for enhancing neck stability, improving posture, and increasing awareness of head and neck alignment.

In this blog, I’ll explore how to teach the Cervical Nod exercise, provide 15 modifications to suit different fitness levels, and offer a 30-minute workout plan incorporating this exercise.

5 Teaching Steps for the Cervical Nod Pilates Exercise

Step 1: Start Position
Lie on your back with feet flat on the floor and knees bent. Look up at the ceiling as if holding a long pencil on your nose.

Step 2: Initial Movement
Slowly nod your head, moving your nose towards your body, imagining drawing a straight line on the ceiling.

Step 3: Avoid Compression
Avoid compressing your chin into your neck. Keep the movement gentle and controlled.

Step 4: Return to Start
As you nod back, keep the imaginary pencil line above your eye line, returning to the starting position.

Step 5: Relaxation
Relax your neck and shoulders throughout the movement to prevent tension.

10 Teaching Tips for the Cervical Nod Pilates Exercise

Tip 1: Gentle Movements
Ensure movements are slow and gentle to avoid straining the neck.

Tip 2: Maintain Alignment
Encourage students to maintain alignment by imagining the pencil drawing a straight line.

Tip 3: Focus on Breathing
Remind students to breathe deeply and consistently, avoiding holding their breath.

Tip 4: Shoulder Relaxation
Keep the shoulders relaxed and away from the ears to avoid tension.

Tip 5: Head Support
Use a small towel or cushion under the head if needed for support and comfort.

Tip 6: Avoid Overextension
Instruct students to avoid overextending the neck or pushing the chin too far forward.

Tip 7: Eye Focus
Guide students to keep their eyes focused on the ceiling to maintain proper head alignment.

Tip 8: Consistent Pace
Maintain a consistent pace, avoiding any jerky or rushed movements.

Tip 9: Gentle Engagement
Engage the deep neck flexors gently without using excessive force.

Tip 10: Relax Between Reps
Encourage a brief relaxation of the neck between repetitions to reduce strain.

15 Modifications for the Cervical Nod Pilates Exercise

Modification 1: Mini Nod
Perform a smaller range of motion for beginners or those with neck issues.

Modification 2: Seated Cervical Nod
Try the exercise seated on a chair for a different challenge.

Modification 3: Cervical Nod with Pillow
Place a small pillow under the head for added support and comfort.

Modification 4: Resistance Band
Use a light resistance band behind the head for gentle resistance.

Modification 5: Hands Behind Head
Support the head with hands behind the head for added support.

Modification 6: Standing Cervical Nod
Perform the exercise standing against a wall to maintain alignment.

Modification 7: Cervical Nod with Eye Movement
Add gentle eye movements up and down with the nod to increase coordination.

Modification 8: Side-to-Side Nod
Incorporate a slight side-to-side movement with the nod for added neck mobility.

Modification 9: Cervical Nod with Shoulder Shrugs
Combine the nod with gentle shoulder shrugs to release tension.

Modification 10: Use a Mirror
Perform the exercise in front of a mirror to ensure proper alignment.

Modification 11: Cervical Nod with Arm Raises
Incorporate gentle arm raises while performing the nod for additional coordination.

Modification 12: Cervical Nod on Stability Ball
Perform the exercise lying on a stability ball for added core engagement.

Modification 13: Cervical Nod with Breathing Focus
Coordinate the nod with deep breathing exercises for relaxation.

Modification 14: Partner-Assisted Nod
Have a partner gently guide the nod movement for those needing assistance.

Modification 15: Extended Hold
Hold the nod position for a few seconds before returning to start to build endurance.

30-Minute Workout Plan With the Cervical Nod Pilates Exercise

Warm-Up:

Exercise 1: Spinal Rolls
Begin with spinal rolls, standing tall and slowly rolling down your spine to touch your toes, then rolling back up.

Exercise 2: Cat-Cow
Cat-cow stretches on all fours, alternating between arching and rounding your back.

Exercise 3: Shoulder Rolls
Finish the warm-up with shoulder rolls, rolling your shoulders forward and backward to loosen up the upper body.

Main Workout:

Exercise 4: Cervical Nod
Start with the Cervical Nod exercise, focusing on slow, controlled movements.

Exercise 5: Modified Cervical Nod with Pillow
Incorporate a pillow under the head for added support.

Exercise 6: Plank to Downward Dog
Move into plank to downward dog, lifting your hips into downward dog and returning to plank.

Exercise 7: Cervical Nod with Resistance Band
Perform the nod with a light resistance band behind the head.

Exercise 8: Bird-Dog
Perform bird-dog on all fours, extending opposite arm and leg and switching sides.

Exercise 9: Cervical Nod with Shoulder Shrugs
Add gentle shoulder shrugs during the nod.

Exercise 10: Side Plank
Transition into a side plank, holding for a period and focusing on core engagement.

Exercise 11: Cervical Nod with Arm Raises
Combine the nod with gentle arm raises for added coordination.

Exercise 12: Bridge Pose
Move into bridge pose, lying on your back and lifting your hips into a bridge while engaging glutes and core.

Exercise 13: Seated Cervical Nod
Finish the main workout with seated cervical nods for a different challenge.

Cool Down:

Exercise 14: Child’s Pose
Start with child’s pose, sitting back on your heels and stretching your arms forward.

Exercise 15: Thread the Needle
Move into thread the needle, sliding one arm under the opposite arm while resting your shoulder and head on the mat.

Exercise 16: Seated Forward Fold
Transition into a seated forward fold, sitting with legs extended and reaching forward to hold your feet or shins.

Exercise 17: Supine Twist
Finish with a supine twist, lying on your back and bringing one knee across your body into a twist.

Exercise 18: Deep Breathing
Conclude with deep breathing, sitting comfortably with eyes closed and taking deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.

All these Pilates exercises are available within the Online Pilates Lesson Planner.

Cervical Nod FAQs

What Pilates exercises require the cervical nod? 

When doing Pilates exercises such as Sit-Ups, Pilates Hundred, and Reverse Fly, it’s important to avoid tilting the head too far forward or backwards. Tilting too far forward (over flexion) or backward (overextension) can lead to a compression fracture of the cervical spine, disc rupture, or strain of spine muscles. That’s where the cervical nod comes to the rescue.

Is the Cervical Nod the same as the Craniovertebral Nod and Head Nod?

Yes.

Should all curling exercises begin with the Cervical Nod?

Yes.

Is Cervical Nod useful for everyday life? 

Yes. Correct neck posture is useful in everyday life. After you’ve practised Cervical Nod, you’ll start sitting, walking, running and lifting heavy objects with correct neck posture.

Will Cervical Nod help prevent a strained neck and back?

Yes. Poor neck posture will lead to a strained neck and back. It’s a good idea to set alarms on your smartphone every 20 to 25 minutes to get up from your chair and walk around while focusing on correct neck posture.

In what directions does the neck move?

The cervical spine flexes (forward), extends (backwards), bends laterally, and rotates. That’s a wide range of movement!  Gentle stretches, like Cervical Nod, that exercise the neck in all four directions are good to add to your Pilates practice. 

Conclusion

Teaching the Cervical Nod exercise in Pilates requires attention to form and engagement of the neck and core muscles. By adding modifications, you can tailor the exercise to different fitness levels and needs.

The Online Pilates Lesson Planner offers over 1000 Pilates pre-filled exercises and over 100,000 pre-filled Pilates workouts. Users can create their own Pilates workouts in under 5 minutes.

Happy teaching!