Yoga In Your Cubicle

You can reduce work stress and keep your body toned with yoga. But wait, with your busy work schedule, how can you find time to grab the mat and go to class? That’s no excuse because you can do yoga moves at the office without changing into exercise clothes. In a few minutes twice daily, your office yoga moves will make sitting or standing so much more tolerable.

Desk Yoga Move 1: Without leaving your chair, sit straight with your back pressed against the chair. Put your feet flat on the floor, so be sure to take off heels. Press your toes on the floor while raising your heels.

Then press your heels to the floor while raising your toes. Alternate these movements. You will feel the lower leg muscles stretch and relax. At first it may feel tense, then with repetition, you will notice how much your lower legs feel relief. You can do this while talking to a client on the phone without missing a word.

Desk Yoga Move 2: Take in a deep breath as you slowly raise your arms over your head. Use your right hand to take hold of your left wrist. Exhale slowly as you bend to the right. Inhale and return to vertical sitting position. Then repeat with the opposite hand and stretch.

Desk Yoga Move 3: Move your chair away from your desk. With your back against the chair, slowly fold forward lowering your upper body, reaching your hands to the floor. Stretch gently until you can place your palms down on the floor. Hold that position for ten seconds, and then slowly roll upward to sitting position.

Desk Yoga Move 4: Sit straight in your chair with your back against the chair back. Slowly drop your chin toward your chest. Move your head in a circular motion toward the right, center then toward the left. Keep your shoulder still and avoid tightening them as your neck moves.

Desk Yoga Move 5: Do a half cat stretch from your chair. Start with feet flat on the floor. Place your hand on your knees. As you inhale, gently arch your back looking toward the ceiling. Then you exhale and round the spine downward so your head drops to the chest. Pause a few seconds and repeat this stretch.

In five minutes, you can do a few desk yoga moves that relax your body and energize your sense of well-being. And you can repeat these moves several times a day. Desk yoga is a great stress reliever.

When you feel overwhelmed with work or frustrated with an task that’s not working out as you planned, don’t reach for chocolate or go out on a smoke break. Use the natural soothing power of yoga moves to create healthy relaxation.