The Best Bikram Yoga Pose For Your Desk
In case some of you are not familiar with Bikram Yoga, Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga) is a form of yoga completed in a hot room ranging in temperatures around 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity. This type of yoga lasts 90 minutes and people move through a total of 26 poses.
While Hot yoga sounds crazy to most people studies show it can help psychological health, cardiovascular fitness, and physical fitness (specifically sit-and-reach and shoulder flexibility)
This is why I want to share one of my favorite poses used as a warm-up during class but magically triggers the muscles around the lower back, the side of the body, and the muscles around the shoulders. Those holding tension while we work!!
I share this pose with you today because while you may not be sitting in a scorching hot room it’s still a great easy-to-do stretch right at your desk. PLUS, you can choose to stretch sitting or standing.
Note, stretches should not hurt and stop if pain is felt anytime during the stretch.
Ardha Chandrasana
You stand with your feet close together, interlock your fingers, and point up using your index fingers. As you stretch up to “touch the ceiling” you bend to the right and HOLD for 10 seconds. You should feel a stretch along the side of your body but also along your chest and arms. Switch sides to turn to the left and HOLD.
Try it now! it’s the perfect weapon against sitting fatigue because you can also do it sitting.
Disclosure: Bikram yoga in hot temperature hazards can include overstretching, dehydration, and in some extreme cases heat exhaustion. Studies showing the use of masks in a yoga studio are not well known and recommended at your own risk.
Gentle stretching at your desk at room temperature is highly recommended and encouraged throughout the day :)
If you would like to know more about how wellness can help your health while working contact us. We offer employee wellness programs as well as individual training.