Sneaking yoga into your day

Sneaking yoga into your day

Sneaking yoga into your day is easier than ever! Find your inner zen and connect with your spirituality wherever you are with our top tips.

Practising yoga isn’t just beneficial for your body. Sure, you’ll improve your strength, flexibility and balance. However, you’ll also become better at calming your mind. This is is a really useful skill to have, which is why more yoga may equal a happier you. Jennifer Ellis, founder of The Yoga Wellness Company, has come up with these handy ways to incorporate yoga into your working day.

Good morning

Finding some time to remember what you’re grateful for when you wake up is a great way to start your day on a positive note. ‘Santosha is a great way to pull some perspective into your daily life,’ says Jennifer. ‘When you first feel yourself stir, take the time to think of three things you are grateful for. Being content with your environment will get you out of bed on the right side and set the tone for the rest of the day.’

Mind the gap

Imagine if you used all of the time you spent commuting to and from work tapping into some mindfulness techniques. You’d be so content! ‘With the average Londoner now spending a costly 54 minutes getting to and from work each day, there is no excuse not to clear your head and focus on positive thoughts!’ says Jennifer. ‘The key is to slip out of auto-pilot and seek awareness in the moment. Put your phone away and look around. Taking the time to focus on the now will improve your ability to concentrate and see things more clearly.’

Desk essential

You don’t have to splay yourself out on an exercise mat in order to incorporate yoga into your day. ‘There are some poses that can be practised right from the comfort of your desk – no yoga pants required!’ explains Jennifer. ‘If you spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer, a sequence of certain stretches and poses can help relieve those tight upper backs, necks and shoulders when practised regularly throughout the day. For an easy eagle arm stretch, start with your feet flat on the floor and cross one arm over the other. From here, connect the palms and gently raise the fingertips above the head, pressing your palms together towards the sky. Stay here for ten slow, deep breaths and then switch sides.’

Breathe to believe

As simple as it may sound, taking some time to breathe can do you a whole lot of good. ‘The way you breathe is linked with your state of mind = when you are stressed you intrinsically take quick, shallow breaths which speeds up your heart rate and induces adrenaline. Take a leaf from Pranayama (or yoga breathing) and consider how you are breathing throughout the day. Deepening the breathe through long inhales in the nose and exhales through the mouth to the count of five will increase oxygen levels within the body, releasing any tension in the neck and shoulders and ensuring that you stay more alert and energetic for longer.’

Pillow time

Many of us don’t give ourselves the chance to rest at the end of the day. However, a short rest when you arrive home after a busy day at work could help your body and mind ease into the evening. ‘Taking just 15 minutes to lie down at the end of the day can do the body a world of good,’ says Jennifer. ‘Shavasana, or corpse pose, might look like a nap at the end of your yoga practice. However, it’s actually a fully conscious pose aimed at being awake yet completely relaxed.’

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