Most of us spend our days working at our desk for more than eight hours. Doing desk job can leave you with a stiff body as you are slouching in front of your computer the entire day. It can cause backaches and pain in the neck, shoulders and hips. Apart from regular exercise, you can practice some yoga poses at your desk to energize your body, relieve stress, reduce body aches and calm your mind. These quick yoga poses can be done sitting in your chair and are office-friendly (your colleagues will not freak out). So, here are some simple yoga poses you can do at your work desk for stress relief and to get energized.
Chair Pigeon Pose
How to do it: Sit straight in your chair with your feet flat on the floor and hands at your sides. Lift your right leg and cross it over your left leg. Make sure there is no pressure on your knees. You will feel a slight stretch on the outer side of your right thigh. Now, slowly bend forward and take 10 deep breaths before coming back up. Now, do the same on the other side.
Seated twist
How to do it: Start by sitting straight with your feet flat on the floor and hands at your sides. Now, lengthen your spine, twist your upper body to the right and hold the back of your chair with your right hand. Hold this position for a minute and then return to the original position. Repeat it on the other side.
Wrist stretches
How to do it: Sit straight in your chair and stretch your hands in front of you. Keep them at shoulder level. Start by rotating your wrists. Then, pull back your fingers to feel a slight stretch in your wrists. Flex it and hold it for 10 seconds. Do the same on the other side.
Seated tadasana
How to do it: Sit straight with your feet flat on the floor. Extend your arms above your head. Lengthen your spine and engage your core. Hold this position for about 10 seconds and return to the original position. Do this about five times.(ALSO READ How Yoga can help for stress relief)
Seated side stretch
How to do it: Start by sitting straight with your feet flat on the floor. Now, keep your left hand on the armrest, lift your right hand and extend it above your head. Slowly bend towards your left and hold the position for about 10 seconds. Com back to the original position and repeat the same on the other side.
These yoga poses will help you to stay energized and get rid of muscle aches cause due to sitting for long hours.