We all know about the health benefits both physically and mentally for undertaking regular yoga practice. But sometimes life and work get so busy and hectic that it can feel like an overwhelming task trying to find time in your busy day to schedule in some yoga practice. Well know you don’t have to wait until the end of the day to fit in your yoga practice before you slip into your bath. As an aside if you are looking to create a perfect bath sanctuary take a look at Bathroom Suites Northern Ireland company https://bathline-bathrooms.com/ for some inspiration.
So, working at my desk for hours on end every day of the week saw me reaching for the paracetamol to add my back pain. It was at yoga class that I mentioned this frustration to my yoga instructor who told me about yoga poses you can complete at your desk. No need to grab my yoga mat or change into my exercise gear just quick and simple 5 min break (lets face it we all should be taking regular twenty-minute breaks away from the screen anyway!) and my back and rest of my body has thanked me for it ever since.
So here are my top three yoga inspired stretched and poses that you can undertake whilst sitting at your desk:
- Crescent Moon pose – simply sit up straight in your chair, inhale and lift your arms over your head, clasp your hands together and turn your palms up to the sky. With a gentle inhale in gentle lean over to the left and hold for five breaths then return to the centre and repeat on the other side. This stretch will help to elevate any cramped back feelings and helps to stretch out your body after being sat in a chair hunched over the desk for a long period of time.
- Pigeon pose – this is useful if you spend a lot of time sitting with one leg crossed over the other which can cause issues with your lower back and hips. To stretch out these parts of your body and bring some equilibrium back to your pelvis and spine simply place your left ankle on your right knee with your knee at a ninety-degree angle. Whilst you keep your left foot flexed simply twist your upper body gently towards your bent knee. Take a few breaths here and then return to your starting position and repeat on the other side with your other leg bent.
- Wrist and finger stretches – sitting typing away for hours on end can wreak havoc with your finger and wrist muscles and tendons. Repetitive Strain Syndrome comes from undertaking these tasks constantly as tension builds up in these areas. It is important to stimulate the blood flow to these parts of your body every couple of hours. You can simply do this by extending your arms to your sides and draw 5 circles inwards and outwards with our wrists and then spread your fingers and clench them into a fist and repeat 5 times.
There you have it. Some simple yoga inspired exercises to do at your desk.
