As with most things, yoga can be practiced in a variety of ways. You don’t have to do it ‘exactly right’ or not at all. You don’t have to completely change your life or your diet or your religion to use certain yoga techniques and positions to improve your body’s muscle tone, your breathing and lung capacity, and your overall level of fitness.
Many yoga positions are very simple. You can practice them almost anywhere. Let’s look at a couple that you can easily incorporate into your daily life, even at work.
If you can breathe, you can do this. Got two minutes to spare? You can do this.
Take a slow deep breath in. Count to three and slowly breathe out. As you fill your lungs with oxygen, focus on your neck and shoulders. Feel them relax and the tension flow out. Repeat this for about two or three minutes. You will be surprised how much this basic yoga can calm and at the same time invigorate your body.
Another easy yoga move you can do sitting or standing, in just a couple of minutes, will drain tension and stiffness from your neck.
1. Let your head slowly fall forward as if bowing your head.
2. Slowly bring your head back to center, the original position.
3. Slowly tip your head to the left, then bring back to original position.
4. Repeat the above to the right.
5. Lean your head back as if you are looking straight up.
6. Slowly bring your head back to original position.
Repeat this sequence two or three times. Always move slowly and deliberately. Yoga is not intended to be done fast. Visualize your entire body becoming stronger and stress flowing out of your body.
As you get into the habit of doing both these simple yoga moves a few times a day you will be in that minority of people who are actually doing something to increase their fitness level.
Give yourself a pat on the back. Good for you!
Comments on this entry are closed.