Don’t you just love it when people tell you the best way to deal with stress is to find time to editate, sleep and workout? Um, I probably wouldn’t be stressed if I had time for those things.
All joking aside, yes, we should make an effort to fit these habits into our schedule. So I went ahead and asked Dona Piza, Owner of Prana Yoga in Miami, to recommend a few yoga poses that can be done anywhere—even in heels!
Breathing
The first thing I would recommend before doing any asana “yoga poses” would be to take a moment to relax. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Practice equal breathing
1:1 ratio. Inhale for a count of four then exhale for a count of four.
Slight Back Bend
Sitting with your feet flat on the floor, spine straight, place both hands on your desk.
Inhale and as you exhale gently and slowly arch your spine, neck and head.
Repeat this three times.
Twist
Sitting with your feet flat on the floor, spine straight, place your left hand and forearm on your desk and your right hand on the back of your chair.
Inhale and as you exhale slowly turn your torso to the right.
Slowly turn your head to the right and keep your shoulders back and down.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Try to hold for at least 30 seconds on each side.
Remember to breathe.
Remember that your body is not warm so be gentle when you twist. Slow and gentle is way more effective.
Forward Bend
Sit with your feet flat on the floor, spine straight, grab the side of your chair and simply
fold forward from the hips on an exhale.
Hang there to your comfort level and don’t forget to breathe.
Final Relaxation
Come again to sit quietly in your chair.
Eyes closed and focus on the breath. (The longer you can stay here the better.)
It’s great to finish this short practice with some kind of affirmation.
It can be as simple as “I’m going to have a great rest of my day.” Any positive statements said while in a conscious, relaxed state are very powerful.
