Yoga is a great way to revitalize your body and mind. The exercises can strengthen your cardiovascular system as well as strengthen your muscles. Many people find yoga releases feelings of tension and stress, calms the mind, improves concentration, and boosts energy levels. However, if you work all day at your computer, you know how tired you can be when you come home from work. You may find making time for yoga in your busy life is impossible. But there are options available even for busy you. You can do some yoga exercises even while sitting at your desk at work. Sometimes called computer or desk yoga, these exercises help you to work out while working.
Computer yoga helps reenergize you so you can get through your work day easier. It can help improve concentration so that after you do a simple exercise, you will be focused on the next task to accomplish and can attack it with renewed energy. It can also help you relax when your work starts to get a little stressful. Taking small breaks for computer yoga while at work can help you to be more productive and healthier.
Leaning over a keyboard all day can also bring with it its own health risks. Carpal tunnel and other work-related injuries are increasing in our computer-based world. Computer yoga can help you prevent these injuries or help with the pain if you are feeling the first discomforts of these injuries. Many yoga exercises can be done even if you only have a few minutes to spare. Here are a few yoga exercises you can try at or near your desk:
- Place your right hand on the wall with the palm firmly against the wall and your fingers spread equally apart. Straighten your arm slowly at the elbow, extending it as you press your palm fully against the wall. Take a few breaths in that position then turn your head to the left, bringing the edge of your right shoulder blade in toward the front of your body. Hold that position for a few seconds, breathing fully.
- Shake out your arms and wrists, dangle them from your shoulders. Then rotate your shoulders back and forth. Repeat this exercise at least a few times.
- Plant your feet firmly on the ground and with your thigh bones pressing into your chair, exhale and lift and turn the belly to the right. Press your hands into the seat or the back of the chair to help you turn. Slowly increase the twist and breathe slowly and deeply. Repeat by turning the other way.
These are just a few of the many computer yoga exercise out there for you to try. So, don’t let yourself make any more excuses about not having time or being too busy to do yoga. With desk yoga, you can find ways to relax and enjoy work more. The exercises will also help prevent computer-related injuries and can give you renewed energy to be more productive while at work. Try some desk exercises and see how they can help you.
By Janelle Walker