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A Bit of Yoga You Can do Right Now
Reach for the Sky
A Body at rest tends to remain at rest -- especially after a big meal. There can be a kind of satisfaction about that: like a pride of lions basking in the afterglow of a successful hunt. Less satisfying is the body forced to remain at rest by, say, a job that consists of sitting in front of a computer screen seven or eight (or more) hours a day, five or six days out of seven. Even if that job is satisfying on a deeply personal level and brings down the big bucks (or even if it isn't, and doesn't) the human body did not evolve to sit in chairs.
So maybe an acknowledgment of our hunter-gatherer forebears would be appropriate during the working day. I recommend several times a day that you at least stand up. It's simple, it's what our bodies are meant to do. And even if your body cannot do that for reasons of injury or illness, you (most likely) can push away from the desk and sit up straight. If you can stand up, but it's become difficult, stand up anyway. Set the reminder feature on your computer to remind you once an hour to stand up (or sit up) straight.
Then, take it to the next level. Standing with your feet about shoulder width apart (or sit upright with your hands hanging beside you). As you inhale, raise your arms out to your sides and continue that upward arc until your finger tips are pointed at the ceiling. Imagine a helicopter crew is trying to rescue you from a flood and they've grabbed your hands and are trying to lift you up and pull you into the copter. The idea is that you feel the stretch all along the length of your body.
If you can't lift your arms, imagine that you can. The imagination is a powerful thing.
This easy move opens the chest so you can breathe more deeply and gets the blood moving. Take advantage of it. Breathe deep. Fill your lungs up as completely as possible. Take several of these deep, full beaths.The stretch eases tension in your body and brings your consciousness back to the here and now. Now, walk around for a few moments before you return to work. Say hi to your co-workers.
When you sit again, not only will your body be happier, but your mind will be refreshed as well and you'll be able to return to work with renewed energy.
Don't feel left out if the reason you sit still for such long periods is not the computer. What ever reason you do it (sewing, proofreading, drawing, fantasizing) the net need is the same: reach for the sky!
Keep in mind that there are a number of physical problems we develop through a lifetime of sitting in chairs (constipation is a big one). Many of them can be alleviated or eliminated by cultivating a preference for sitting on the floor or ground in your leisure hours.
There is a powerful, but less than romantic, yoga exercise you can practice as well: the squat. It has a direct impact on the less than romantic consequences of sitting in chairs. In countries where people don't sit in chairs, they spend a lot of time squatting. They squat to cook, to make pottery, to gossip in the evening -- and thy don't have constipation. If your dreams include travel to India or Japan, you might want to get started on your squatting skills now (gently working toward your goal). Many of their flushing toilets include no "throne."
The spirit in me salutes the spirit in you. We're all in bodies together.