Dr. David Orman

In Taoist philosophy, the neck is not just a physical bridge between the head and the body—it is also a symbolic threshold between thought and flow. When tension gathers in the neck, it often reflects a mind entangled in control, rigidity, and fear of the unknown. This tightness is not just muscular; it is energetic. It signals resistance to the natural unfolding of life, a refusal to surrender to the Tao—the great Way that moves all things in harmony. The more we try to grip reality with mental force, the more we lose the ability to move with ease, both physically and spiritually.

The Tao teaches that softness overcomes hardness and yielding prevails over force. When the neck tightens, it is often because the mind is clinging, strategizing, or anticipating with too much effort. We must return to flow, to breath, to balance. One solution is conscious breathwork: slow, deep inhalations through the nose and even longer exhalations through the mouth, done while gently dropping the shoulders. This simple practice recalibrates the nervous system, calms the mind, and releases unconscious tension in the neck and upper spine. It invites presence over planning, embodiment over control.

Another profound solution is the practice of Bagua Zhang, the Taoist art of circular walking. This ancient martial art dissolves rigidity through constant movement and curved patterns. As one walks the circle, the body spirals and the spine lengthens, gently releasing tension in the neck and reconnecting the practitioner with the circular nature of life. In Bagua, there is no room for stiffness—only dynamic balance. It becomes a living metaphor for yielding, adaptability, and non-resistance. Through Bagua, the neck becomes free, the breath returns, and the desire to control fades into trust.