Yes, the saying goes “move it or lose it.” Right? Okay, it’s “use it or lose it,” but you get the idea…
How do you feel when you sit all day? How about when you get up and move your body?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”
I know that I have less energy when I sit a lot. Just getting up feels like a lot of effort. If I’ve been sitting and working at my desk for several hours, I notice that my muscles get stiff and my hips hurt. Not only that, my brain gets a little foggy.
So, I make it a point to get up and stretch periodically when I have a lot of work to do.
I also try to start my day with a little yoga. I especially like to do sun salutations. Yoga combines breath with movement, so it not only stretches and moves my body, it also helps to clear my mind and improves my outlook for the day.
Sun Salutation A
- Start standing
- Inhale and lift your arms up
- Exhale and fold forward
- Inhale and lift your torso up half way
- Exhale and step back to plank pose (like the top of a push up), then squeezing your elbows in towards your sides, lower down to the bottom of a push up
- Inhale and release your hips to the ground and lift your head and torso for cobra pose
- Exhale and lift your hips up toward the sky with your arms and legs straight for downward facing dog
- Inhale and step your feet forward to your hands and lift your torso up half way
- Exhale and fold forward
- Inhale rise back up to standing and lift your arms up
- Exhale bring your hands in front of your heart in prayer position
- Repeat as many times as feels good
Why not add a little yoga into your day?
Be mindful to listen to your body and only do what feels right for you. You may also want to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise routine to make sure it is safe for you.
Here is a little graphic I made to help you practice Sun Salutation A when you feel like you need to stretch and move your body.
May you have peace within,
Julia
