Yoga Poses To Undo A Day Spent Sitting At Your Desk

Sitting. It’s such a natural posture, but lately it feels as if we’re being told more and more just how bad it is. For most of us though, it’s an unavoidable aspect of life.

We sit in our cars, at work, at school; even if we live as active a lifestyle as possible, sitting for any extended period of time at our desks can still wreak havoc on our overall health and well being. Recent studies have shown a link between long periods of sitting with a variety of health conditions, effecting even those who work out regularly, an unfortunate truth that can leave those of us who work desk jobs feeling pretty helpless. The good news is, besides taking frequent breaks and getting up and moving around as much as possible, there are simple ways to help undo the damage.

If at the end of the day you’re left with a knot between your shoulder blades and a stitch between your eyebrows, today, with the help of our intimates buyer Samara (who also happens to be a Pilates instructor and a far more experienced yogi than myself), I’m sharing some essential yoga-based stretches to help ease all that tension.

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Post Work Yoga

Downward Facing Dog

If you do one stretch after sitting at your desk all day, let this be it. Downward Dog is a strengthening move that stretches your legs, back, hamstrings, and opens your shoulders and heart, while also improving circulation and waking you up. However, don’t be fooled by how simple this move looks – achieving the correct alignment takes practice and adjustment.

To get it right, engage your core and push up through your quadriceps, being sure not to over extend your knees. Your body should look like a straight, upside-down V.

Post Work Yoga

Mountain Pose

Mountain Pose is a basic standing pose, but coupled with a light back bend, this posture-focused pose helps to open tight chest muscles and strengthen legs.

Stand with your feet a few inches apart and bring your palms together towards the sky. Relax your head and neck as you slowly bend backwards into a light stretch.

Post Work Yoga

Forward Fold

This move is so simple to do, and amazingly beneficial for your body and mind. Apart from stretching out your back and hamstrings, this stretch helps to free you from any mental blocks you may be unnecessarily holding on to.

Stand with your feet hip-width apart and your knees slightly bent, fold down from your hips and let your body hang, gently resting your fingertips or hands on the ground. Allow your head to hang and gently move it from side to side and slowly from “yes” to “no”.

Post Work Yoga

Bound Angle

Another move that looks simple but packs a whole lot of benefits, Bound Angle is easy to do and helps ease any tightness in your hips and lower body that you may be feeling from staying seated for so long, and stretches your inner thighs and knees.

To do it, sit with your knees out at a comfortable angle and your back straight. Breathe deeply and allow your knees to relax a little further towards the floor ad you grasp your feet or ankles.

Post Work Yoga

Thread The Needle

If you’re like me and tend to carry tension n your shoulders and between your shoulder blades, Thread The Needle is a life changing move. Along with stretching between your shoulder blades, this pose can help relieve back pain and helps to open your chest.

To get into this pose, begin on all fours and thread your right arm through the space between your left arm and left leg as you allow your right shoulder and temple to slowly release to the ground. Keep your left arm where it is, being careful not to rest your head completely on the ground. Hold for a few breaths and repeat with your left side.

Post Work Yoga

Child’s Pose

I love finishing a workout and stretching session with Child’s Pose, which helps stretch your ankles, thighs, and hips, and relieves tension and stress.

Begin on your hands and knees and move your hips back into a kneeling position, moving your knees to be about hips-width apart. Breathe in deeply and as you exhale, lower your torso keeping your hands in front of you shoulder-distance apart. Slowly roll your forehead from side to side on your mat to ease any tension you may be carrying there.

Post Work Yoga

Shoulder Opener

While it’s not an “official” pose, this shoulder and chest opener is amazing for anyone hunched over a keyboard. With your legs bent at the knee and crossed in front of you, lift your arms so your forearms are perpendicular to the floor. Press your elbows back, keeping your arms at right angles and your palms open.

Post Work Yoga

Seated Eagle

Another game changer, Seated Eagle is amazing for stretching that hard to reach spot between your shoulder blades and stretches your upper back.

In a seated position, stretch your arms out in front of you while you stretch your shoulder blades across you back. Fold your right arm over the left and bend your elbows so they’re fitted tightly together and raise your forearms perpendicular to the floor. Press your palms together and slowly lift your arms to the ceiling.

Post Work Yoga

Side Stretch

A staple post-workout stretch, this move relieves tension in your back and helps stretch your legs and arms. In a seated position, stretch your legs out in front of you, bending your right leg at the knee and bringing your foot towards your inner thigh. Raise your right arm over head and bend towards your left leg. Hold for five breaths, repeat on the opposite side.

Do you have a favorite way to relax after work? Let us know in the comments!

More movement posts from the BLDG 25 blog.

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9 years ago

Nice collection. I do some of these at the end of the day (or as a break) myself. Need to try the rest ones))

http://barbarianme.com/

9 years ago

I’ve been doing yoga for a while and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. However, I only knew about the dog’s position. Now I have some other poses to try.

Thanks for sharing :)
http://www.wednesday19th.blogspot.com

9 years ago

After work on Mondays and Wednesdays I head straight to my YMCA that offers yoga classes and after sitting 9-5 it is such a gift for my head and body, truly. I love how it makes me feel about my body and life – and after a couple of weeks my body feels so much better, no more achy – ness and definitely stronger.

Warm Regards,
Alexandra
http://www.littlewildheart.com

9 years ago

JUST what I need. Love it!

juliettelaura.blogspot.com

Aman
9 years ago

This would also be good after a 5 hour lecture!
http://lifturbum.blogspot.ca

9 years ago
Emily
9 years ago

Would be lovely to see these poses done from start to finish in a little video!

Annette
9 years ago

Thank you!

9 years ago

Thanks..

9 years ago

. Love it!

9 years ago

I love how it makes me feel about my body and life

. Now I have some other poses to try.

9 years ago

JUST what I need

9 years ago

ness and definitely stronger.

9 years ago

after a couple of weeks my body feels so much better,

Source: Yoga Poses To Undo A Day Spent Sitting At Your Desk http://blog.freepeople.com/2014/09/yoga-poses-undo-day-spent-sitting-desk/#ixzz3EaEFF6At

9 years ago

after a couple of weeks my body feels so much better,

9 years ago

Now I have some other poses to try

9 years ago

thanks….

9 years ago

beautiful…

9 years ago

this all looks very effective. Just one minor thing: take off your jewelry while doing any kind of sports, as you might hurt yourself! (I know your model wears the rings for the photos only, but still^^)

XO, biene
http://lettersandbeads.blogspot.de

9 years ago

Fantastic. I spend too much time sitting so they are really helpful.

9 years ago

After all the hours I spend sitten on the horrible university’s chairs I have to try these exercises!

http://justsem.wordpress.com/

9 years ago

Thank you for this :) As much as I try to walk every hour or so, sometimes I find myself sitting at my desk for very long stretches and I can feel my back/shoulders tighten. I need to stop and work on yoga poses much more often. Thanks for the reminder (and great poses)–I’ll be bookmarking this page :)

9 years ago

Thank you !
This is a really interesting post !
I’m gonna try this as soon as I go back to my home.
Thanxx

x,
Maïa
http://wildandfolkheart.com

9 years ago

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for this. I have really tight shoulders because of work and I just did these (actually in the morning before work) and I already feel a bit lighter and less stressed. Will be making this a daily routine :)