It’s no secret that we are living more sedentary lives. We aren’t walking as much as we used to because we’re chained to a desk.  Working from home means the commute from bed to desk delivers us, thankfully, from gridlock, but even further into reduced activity. Even if your desk is outside the home, chances are your commute doesn’t involve a brisk 40 minute walk.

We KNOW we need to move more.

We can feel in our bones.

Literally.

Holding phones, looking down at screens in our hands, we are moving less and creaking more… We have impinged shoulders from sitting in uncomfortable chairs, or maybe standing is your work position?  I can feel my lower back locking up already.🥴 Not only can stretching keep you physically flexible, it can improve brain function too.

Micro- Movements For The Win

The good news is we don’t have to spend hours at a gym after work to get our movement in. We don’t have to belong to the 5am, cold plunge group either. Although I will say that getting out of the house to do my morning yoga has been a welcome respite from me. Yes- I know I can do the downward dogs with the dog at home, but I find there’s so much DISTRACTION at home.

Adding micro-movement moments- 5 minutes here, ten minutes there, all add up to improve our general health.

Desk Yoga Enters The Chat 📲

Desk Yoga? You mean, sun salutations in your Lululemons?

Erm… not quite.

What is desk yoga? Well it’s basically a series of seated stretches that help alleviate stiffness at your desk (easy now- this is a family show). It improves blood as well which gives your mind a fresh batch of energy to refocus. Just what I need when I’ve been staring at the same screen for hours… 😵‍💫

Five Poses For Desk Yoga To Improve Flexibility & Focus

1. Interlaced Overhead Palms- for shoulders and chest

Sit tall- interlace fingers in front at chest level- slowly raise above head

Hold  for 5-10 breaths   Repeat Twice

2. Seated Twist- Whole spine/ Back

Arms outstretched at sides in T shape-  Twist right, hold back of chair with left hand

Hold for 5-10 breaths- Switch side

3. Side Bend - your obliques

Sit tall in chair, feet planted wide & angled outwards

Raise left arm up and slowly bend to right. Hold for 5-10 breaths. Switch sides

4. Ankle Over Knee- lower back and glutes

Sit tall- place left ankle over right knee. Lean forward- allow neck muscles to relax. Hold for 5-10 breaths- switch sides.

5. Forward Fold- releases whole back

Sit tall- wide legs- arms up, chest out & slowly bend forward keeping torso long

Hold for 10-20 breaths

Try this and see if you find yourself feeling a little less stiff. More importantly you’ll find the breathing will help with calming a racing mind, allowing you to return to your work with renewed focus.

Who knows? You might even find yourself clocking out early!

            Laura x