A few days ago, the Washington Post's Health & Science section had several articles that focused on the value of fitting in exercise and movements of some kind at the office. Over the years I have said that when your schedule is tight and you can't finish all your yoga poses at home, you CAN fit in certain ones into brief moments of the day at work! And, it's a good practice to insert some poses throughout the day regardless, especially if you have a sedentary (research/writing) desk job like mine! It's part of creating a yoga lifestyle.
Although the photos above show me doing 4 poses (arm and leg stretch, neck movements, backward handclasp, and sidebends) in my home yoga studio, all of these poses can be slightly adapted for the office (or ladies' or men's room!). I regularly do the arm and leg stretch at work in the ladies room as long as I have relatively flat shoes. This poses helps to elongate your back and spine after sitting crouched over a computer for hours.
You can also do the neck movements at your desk chair as long if you sit upright in your desk chair or if you stand tall The neck movements alleviate tension stored in your neck and shoulders that can come from sitting too long. The backward handclasp can also be done while seated or standing and it also helps to dissipate tension in your shoulders. And, finally, the side bends can be done at your desk or in the restroom as long as you're wearing clothing that allows you to bend from side to side.
If you want to gain maximum results from yoga, you must (I am adamant about this!) make it an integral part of your daily lifestyle. And, that means inserting some poses into your day at the office if you possibly can. If you're creative and have a strong intention to do so, you will find that you can!
Yours for slipping in a yoga pose or two (or three) at the office or at your desk,
Laura Venecia Rodriguez
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