Desk job, long working hours? Here's how yoga can help
Prolonged sitting is one of the leading causes of lifestyle diseases today. Tim Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc., said a few years back that prolonged sitting is the new cancer, it leads to a host of ailments. Modern-day executives and professionals are the ones who fall prey to the trap of prolonged sitting. With deadlines looming overhead and a series of meetings to attend, one doesn't realise but ends up spending the entire day sitting, without getting any exercise.
For years, Yogi Anoop tried using his yogic wisdom to arrive at something practical for modern-day men and women. How can asanas and pranayama be incorporated into modern lifestyle which is fast-paced and has little room for anything else? This was the question Yogi Anoop asked himself and arrived at quick ways to energise and reinvigorate the body between short breaks that professionals can easily steal away from work hours.
How to relax instantly during work breaks
Destressing is extremely important, especially in today's world where stress and anxiety levels are almost always going off the roof. Constant sitting in front of a desk/computer for long hours results in back pain, headaches, eye and neck strain and other related conditions. Simply taking a few minutes between your work hours can fully recharge you within minutes and relieve stress. It can also help your productivity and most importantly, make you feel better.
Following are some simple exercises:
Recharging calf muscles
Sit in a chair comfortably, relax the body and close your eyes. Now, concentrate on the calf muscle of your right leg, flex it for a moment and relax. Perform this for 2 minutes and start with the other leg.
Practising this for 5 minutes from each leg will help in getting the blood pressure down. Heartbeat will also get back to normal and headache, if any, will be relieved.
You can also perform the exercise by keeping the calf muscles flexed for 5 seconds with normal breathing. Perform this for 3 minutes on each leg.
Recharging thigh muscles
Sit straight and comfortably in a chair. Be calm and relaxed. Give a little strain on the thigh muscles of the right leg and relax. Perform this while maintaining normal breathing. Repeat the same from the other leg.
Step 2
Keep your thigh muscles flexed for 3 to 5 seconds and release. Perform this at least 20 times and repeat on the other leg.
Keep your breathing normal while maintaining a calm and relaxed face.
Recharging glutes
Stand erect and squeeze both hip muscles for a few seconds and relax. Repeat this for 20 times. Avoid holding your breath while you perform this. You can also perform this in a sitting position after you gain some expertise.
You can also apply this exercise to any other body part such as the stomach, back, upper arms and forearms.
Mindful breathing
Be very observant of your breath. Inhale and exhale effortlessly without any stress. The moment you inhale and exhale, observe the rhythm that is created in the chest. You can practise breathing exercise from just about anywhere. Count your breathing for at least 20 to 30 times. As you practise, you will find it more and more effective in keeping you relaxed, especially in stressful situations.
Copyright - by Yogi Anoop