Yoga Techniques For Back Pain
Monday, August 8, 2011
, Posted by Unknown at 8:55 AM
The tension that is created by sitting for long periods of time at a desk, doing repetitive movements like typing, can be mitigated by a regular practice of Office Chair Yoga.
Back pain is often exacerbated by tension in the neck, shoulders, and arms. Even a brief seated Yoga break will help to dissipate the tension that has built up in these areas over several hours of work. The following are three Office Chair Yoga techniques that will help to ease back pain. Companies who seek an office Yoga specialist would do well to hire a certified chair Yoga teacher specialist.
Elongated Back Stretch
Push your chair an arm's length away from your desk. Before you begin, take three long, slow, deep breaths through your nose. Exhale each breath fully before inhaling your next breath. After full three breaths, take three more complete breaths as you raise your arms to the side and over your head for a count of five. Five counts up with an inhale and five counts down with your exhale. Now, lean forward and place your hands, palms down and shoulder-width apart, on the top of your desk. Slowly exhale and sink into the stretch. Stretch only as far as is comfortable and hold this chair Yoga posture for three complete breaths. Repeat two more times. Sit up slowly and pause for a moment, feeling the elongation of your spine and the relief of tension in your back and arms.
Seated Spinal TwistThis Yoga pose is a great way to release tension all through your back, arms, and neck. Sit squarely on your chair with your feet planted on the floor. Take one deep inhale. As you exhale, slowly twist to the right by placing your left hand on the outside of your right knee and coil your right hand around onto the middle of the back of your chair. Continue to breath. With each exhale twist a little deeper to the right and with each inhale allow your body to gently release a little toward the front of your chair. Continue to twist and release for thirty seconds. Release the pose and repeat on the other side.
Seated Hip StretchReleasing tension in your hips will help to release the tension and pain in your lower back. Sit squarely on your chair with your feet flat on the floor. Take three long, deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling for five counts each. Slowly, place your right foot on top of your left knee and bend forward until you feel a nice stretch. Do not force or overstretch and only go as far forward as your body will allow. Hold for thirty seconds and repeat on the opposite side.
