5 Simple Poses at Your Desk

Many of us sit at desk for at least 40 hours a week. That can take quite the toll on our body, especially when we can't always get to our mat or to the gym everyday to rinse it out. Here are 5 simple poses/ stretches you can easily do at your desk without raising eyebrows from the cubicle next door!

Seated Figure-4

This stretch is great for anyone who sits a lot of the day or has any low back pains. It's so simple to do while you sit at your desk, waiting for a meal, on a plane. You can intensify the stretch by hinging forward from the hips.

Tips: Be sure to keep the bent knee pressing away from your face. Don't forget to do both sides!

Standing Forward Fold

This stretch is great for anyone who sits or stands all day - so, basically everyone. This is a great stretch to work out your tight hamstrings.

Tips: Your legs don't have to be straight, you can keep a bend in them - in fact, I highly recommend keeping a soft bend in the knees, especially if your hamstrings feel very tight. Go as far as you feel the stretch and be mindful.

Side Bends

I consistently do side bends throughout the day. They are so simple to do wherever you are and its a great stretch on our side body. We tend to stay hunched over all day, over our computers, over our phones, over our books, its a great release to extend ourselves and grow a little taller.

Tips: You can reach your arms up overhead for an added stretch or keep your arms down by your side. Grow the side body, almost as if you are lifting your armpits up. Whatever you decide to do, be mindful of your shoulder blades - you don't want them to scrunch up and create more tension in the upper body.

Standing Back Bend

This is another great pose for anyone to stop and do multiple times throughout the day. Related to the fact that we tend to hunch over all day, we need to find that counter pose. This is a great one to incorporate every time you take a break. Find the counter pose as often as you can.

Tips: As you find the backbend, be sure to engage your core - soften your front ribs into your spine, and keep you hip points pressing forward so they stay in line with your feet - this will continue to protect your low back while you find a release.

Seated Twist

Whenever I think of twists - I think of ringing out a wet towel, but for your spine. Twists are rinsing and detoxifying. We all need to detoxify at least once a day.

Tips: Don't let the twist come from your lower back. Try to keep your hips pointing towards the front of the chair and hug the bellybutton into the spine. With every inhale find length through the spine.

Try all or some of them at your desk and see the difference it makes in your body day to day!

Namaste