Did you know that 70% of workers say their backs feel worse after work?
Sitting in an office chair for prolonged periods of time can definitely cause low back pain or worsen an existing back problem. The main reason behind this is that sitting, in an office chair, is a static posture that increases stress in the back, shoulders, arms, and legs, and in particular, can add large amounts of pressure to the back muscles and spinal discs.
When sitting in an office chair for a long period, the natural tendency for most people is to slouch over or slouch down in the chair, and this posture can overstretch the spinal ligaments and strain the discs and surrounding structures in the spine. Over time, incorrect sitting posture can damage spinal structures and contribute to or worsen back pain. What could you do to avoid / reduce back pain?
Office Yoga could be the answer you are looking for!
After working for over 11 years in an office and experiencing my body feeling stiff on a daily basis from sitting down on a chair and the pressure it caused on my lower back, I decided to use my knowledge as a yoga teacher and help people that work in offices to practice Office yoga. Just 30 mins are so beneficial!
What is office yoga?
Office Yoga is a form of yoga which has been adapted so that it can be performed sitting on a chair, making it incredibly applicable to daily office life. It is the perfect activity to break up those long sedentary periods throughout the day, helping improve postural and muscular problems.
It is a great choice for anyone wishing to feel energised and refreshed during his or her work day, both physically and mentally. Office yoga classes are designed to address the specific physical and mental challenges that desk workers tend to encounter.
Origin of Yoga on a chair
Lakshmi Voelker-Binder created Chair Yoga in 1982, on seeing that one of her pupils, aged only in her thirties, was unable to do floor yoga poses because of arthritis.
Practising yoga on a chair is suitable for students unable to participate in a traditional yoga class due to the effects of aging, disability or not sufficient space in the workplace. Doing yoga on a chair offers a practical alternative, as it deepens flexibility and strengthens personal body awareness. Clients can learn many kinds of yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and ways of relaxation, with the aid of a chair.
Benefits of yoga on a chair
When you hear the word yoga, do you picture one of the Instagram photos with a super bendy body? Some of the advanced yoga poses can be quite bendy, but let me reassure you that you don’t have to be a contortionist to enjoy practising yoga. You can do yoga if you have limited mobility, balance issues, or stiffness. You can take advantage of the many benefits of yoga in the comfort of your own chair.
Office yoga is both safe and effective.
What are some of the benefits of practising yoga on a chair?
1. Increased flexibility
The ability to bend, twist, stretch, and move freely is important for more than doing yoga. It allows you to do the things that you need to do and engage in the activities that you love. Although some people assume that a loss of flexibility is inevitable as they age, they’re mistaken. With flexibility, the rule is “use it or lose it.” By gently challenging your body with Office yoga, you can actually increase your flexibility and improve your mobility.