Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Side Stretch Yoga Exercises for the Office

When working at office in an almost immobile position at your desk, you develop a general stiffness all over your body. To overcome this, you instinctively get up and give your body a good stretch. Office yoga’s series of poses teaches you how to stretch your body in systematic manner to overcome stiffness, and keep the circulation of blood flowing to all parts of your body. This helps you to overcome stiffness, numbness and also ailments like the carpal tunnel syndrome and frozen shoulder.

To start doing the Office Yoga’s Side stretch pose, you need not move away from your desk. You just have to avert your eyes from your PC screen and put your phone on silent mode. Join your palms by interlacing the fingers of your right hand into those of your left. Now lift your arms up while holding your palms together and stretch upwards. Feel the stretch right from your palms up to your shoulders and spine.

Now lean to your left side while keeping your arms and spine aligned in a straight line. When you do this you give the right side of your ribcage and abdomen a good stretch. Pause in this position for some time and then lean to your right side. This gives the left side of your ribcage and abdomen a good stretch. It also keeps your triceps, biceps and shoulders stretched.

When you move your arms this way, also ensure that you do not lift your hips and buttocks off the chair seat, so that your torso receives a good stretch. All the while, when you do this, keep breathing consciously and deeply. Repeat this movement to either side for between three to five times and then exit this pose. This simple movement would help you to feel relaxed when you work at your desk for hours at a stretch.

Sources:

How to Do Office Yoga : Side Stretch Exercise for Office Yoga

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GWGm69AYBc