A yoga sun salutation can invigorate you, even if you're stuck in a cubicle
One pose of a Sun Salutation.
Photo by flickr user cpil
In the March 2011 issue of Yoga Journal, they talk about doing a Sun Salutation at your desk during the day. Not only is periodic stretching during the work day good for your body, but it is also good for the mind. In fact, taking even just a couple of minutes to stretch your body will invigorate your mind and boost your productivity.
How to salute the sun without any rays? Here's the sun salutation that Yoga Journal recommends:
1. Stand up from your chair and make sure you have a few feet of room in front of you.
2. Bring your hands up and lean back, letting yourself stretch out lengthwise.
3. Bend forward slowly, letting your hands and head hang down. This is forward bend pose.
4. Straightening your back, bring your hands out a bit forward, into a modified downward dog. This will really stretch your back and hamstrings.
5. Come up again slowly and lean all the way back again. Bring your hands then slowly down.
6. Repeat this at least once, if not twice, breathing deeply in the nose and out the mouth.
After you have tried this desk salutation, take note of how you feel. Doesn't that deep breathing and stretching help you from getting the afternoon sluggishness? If you try it, please let me know what you think!
Eva Johnson is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer. She lives in chaos with her husband and two boys. To see her complete blog about how to stay sane and in shape in the real world, visit www.fitnessbyeva.com.
Comments
Eva Johnson
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 8:41 p.m.
Thanks for reading and commenting! @Sarah, I totally agree with you. I find just a few poses is just the right amount to start to feel more relaxed and refreshed!
BhavanaJagat
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 3:01 p.m.
Thanks for suggesting the idea of "Salutation". Any form of salutation is rewarding. We need to salute as many things as possible, the people, the objects that exist in the natural world. Indian tradition is based upon teaching a form of salutation called 'Namaskar' or 'Namaste'. This salutation is done in a variety of styles and poses. The simplest would be that of a person standing erect, relaxed, bringing the forearms together in front of the person, joining the palms, bending the neck, and saying the word Namaskar or Namaste. The bending of the neck signifies obedience. Stiff-necked people are considered to be rude and arrogant. The joining of palms indicate a sense of respect and the lack of hostility or animosity. Such attitudes of obedience and respect have to be practiced repeatedly and must be displayed towards as many objects as possible in this created world. It helps us to seek God as the manifested entity, manifested in the objects that He had created. The well-being of man includes his physical, mental, social, moral, and spiritual well-being. Find time to greet and salute your parents, teachers, your elders, your friends, your co-workers and see the feeling it generates. You experience mental peace while giving peace to all others.
Sarah Rigg
Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.
Heh, I like the term "desk salutation." It certainly is a very abbreviated version of the full sun salutation, but I bet it'd feel good. I find just doing 3-4 poses (especially downward dog) can really loosen me up and make me feel a LOT better.