The early morning sun crept gently through the gaps in the curtains, painting the room with a soft golden warmth. CUTIS, the tiny baby monkey with bright, curious eyes, woke up stretching his little arms into the air. But unlike his usual energetic mornings, today he felt something strange—his neck felt stiff.
He rubbed it with his tiny hand, confused.
Mari, his human friend and daily partner in all adventures, noticed immediately. “Neck feels tight, little guy?” she asked with a gentle smile.
CUTIS squeaked softly, nodding.
Mari stretched her own neck a bit and sighed. “Don’t worry. We’re doing a stretching routine for neck and back at home today. Perfect for both of us.”
And so, on a calm morning filled with quiet sunlight and soft air, they began their special stretching session focused entirely on releasing tension, healing stiffness, and bringing deep comfort to the neck and back.
1. The Beginning: Deep Breathing & Body Awareness
Mari unrolled a yoga mat across the wooden floor. CUTIS immediately sat in the center of it, hugging his tail, ready to start.
“For neck and back stretches,” Mari explained, “we must start with slow breathing.”
She sat cross-legged, placing one hand on her chest and the other on her stomach. CUTIS copied her, though his hands were so tiny that both rested on his belly.
“Inhale… and exhale…” she whispered.
Their breaths became steady, slow, and calming.
CUTIS’s tension softened already.
2. Neck Side-to-Side Stretch
Mari gently tilted her head to the right, stretching the left side of her neck. She breathed smoothly, letting the muscles lengthen.
CUTIS tilted his head too… but a bit too fast. He toppled over like a falling leaf.
Mari giggled and helped him sit up. “Slowly, CUTIS… stretching isn’t a race.”
They tried again. This time CUTIS placed one hand on the floor for support, and he held the pose successfully. His eyes grew wide—he felt the stretch clearly now, like a soft pull.
Then they switched sides.
The stiffness in Mari’s neck released little by little. CUTIS squeaked in delight as the tension eased from his tiny muscles too.
3. Forward Neck Drop for Upper Back Relief
Mari guided CUTIS to sit up tall.
“This one is perfect if you look down a lot,” she said, thinking about how often CUTIS bent forward to pick up fruits or inspect bugs.
She gently lowered her chin toward her chest. A wonderful stretch spread across the back of her neck and upper spine.
CUTIS lowered his head too… but lowered it so far he ended up looking between his legs. Mari caught him before he rolled forward.
“Just your neck, silly,” she said lovingly.
They held the stretch, breathing deeply. Mari felt her upper back unlock like a soft click of comfort. CUTIS felt warm relief too, and his eyes began to droop peacefully.
4. Shoulder Rolls for Tension Release
Mari sat up straight again and began rolling her shoulders back in slow, soothing circles.
CUTIS rolled his shoulders too—fast at first, then slower when Mari slowed down.
“This helps release tension that pulls on the neck,” she explained.
Then they rolled forward.
Each rotation felt like releasing invisible weights from Mari’s shoulders. CUTIS copied every movement, sometimes exaggerating so much that he looked like a dancing bird. Still, the stretch worked beautifully.
5. Cat-Cow Stretch for the Spine
Next, Mari moved onto her hands and knees.
“This one is amazing for the back,” she said.
She arched her spine upward like a stretching cat.
Then she dipped her back gently, lifting her head and tailbone.
CUTIS copied, but his version looked more like a wriggly caterpillar. His little spine moved with surprising flexibility, and he squeaked in joy each time he dipped and lifted.
The movement warmed Mari’s entire back, each repetition loosening the stiffness in her shoulders, middle back, and lower spine.
CUTIS felt energized again, happily meowing like a tiny cat.
6. Seated Spinal Twist for Deep Back Release
Mari sat tall, crossing one leg over the other. She placed her opposite arm across her knee and twisted her torso gently.
“This helps your back feel alive again,” she said softly.
CUTIS tried to twist but ended up spinning halfway around and falling onto the mat. Mari gently repositioned him, holding his little hands in place to guide the movement.
Once he understood, CUTIS twisted properly and closed his eyes, feeling the stretch spreading joyfully along his spine.
Then they switched sides.
Mari’s lower back loosened beautifully. CUTIS felt so relaxed he nearly fell asleep mid-twist.
7. Child’s Pose for Full Back Comfort
Mari folded down into child’s pose, stretching her arms forward, her forehead resting on the mat.
“This is one of the best stretches for your entire back,” she explained quietly, her voice soft like a lullaby.
CUTIS crawled into child’s pose too—his tiny body curled perfectly. He placed his little head on the mat beside her, breathing softly.
The stretch lengthened Mari’s spine from top to bottom. Her hips softened, her shoulders released, and her lower back relaxed deeply.
CUTIS felt safe, warm, and deeply comfortable.
8. Upper Back Stretch: Thread the Needle
Mari moved back into a kneeling position, sliding one arm under the opposite arm, lowering her shoulder onto the mat.
A sweet, deep stretch spread across her upper back and shoulder blade.
CUTIS imitated her—but slid so far under her that he popped out on the other side like he was tunneling.
Mari burst into soft laughter. “You’re not a mole, CUTIS!”
She helped him take the pose properly, and together they breathed slowly.
Switching sides brought equal relief.
Mari felt her tension dissolving completely. CUTIS felt like melting into a puddle of comfort.
9. Final Neck Stretch: Ear-to-Shoulder with Arm Assistance
For the final stretch, Mari gently placed her hand on the side of her head and lowered her ear toward her shoulder—just a tiny bit of extra pressure, nothing forceful.
CUTIS pressed his own tiny hand against his head, copying her perfectly. His serious expression made Mari smile.
The stretch was slow, gentle, and deeply soothing.
It released the last bits of tightness from the neck.
10. Ending With Deep Relaxation
Mari lay down on the mat, stretching her body long and breathing deeply.
CUTIS curled up on her stomach, his favorite resting spot.
Both of them felt their necks relaxed, their backs loosened, their breaths soft and peaceful.
The stretching routine had worked wonders—not just physically, but emotionally. It became a moment of quiet bonding, comfort, and calmness.
Mari stroked CUTIS’s soft fur and whispered:
“We did great today.”
CUTIS closed his eyes, sinking into her warmth.
A peaceful silence filled the room—gentle, healing, and full of love.
