Our workspace is where we spend most of our time to meet our work requirements. At times, a much-needed break involves taking a walk to the cafeteria to get a hot cup of coffee or tea. However, there are times when we are swarmed with work that we forget to move our bodies.
Interestingly, the market sells standing desks and treadmill desks to empower us to move more as keeping our body moving is fundamental to keeping our body healthy.
Sonya Zappone, yoga teacher at Yoga with Sonya, US, however, suggests practising yoga to beat all the desk-related health bugs. “Yoga is much needed in our sedentary, desk-bound society,” she says. Sitting at a desk for a long time can affect our posture and can cause back pain. Moreover, it can cause stress, she adds.
By practising yoga that encompasses physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation, one can reap the following health benefits, says Zappone.
Talking about her experience, Zappone says, “After my college graduation, I landed a desk job which I continued for three years. It was stressful and I saw my health deteriorating. My body became stiff and weak.” It was then that she decided to get back in shape through yoga. And it worked! Zappone soon realised the importance of yoga. “Yoga helped me bring back my health,” says Zappone who was in her 20s at the time.
Now as she practises it regularly, it keeps her healthy. Having experienced a positive outcome, she also decided to make it her career to spread the importance of Yoga.
Zappone gives a few tips for beginners. “Go easy and at your own pace. Because everyone arrives at the mat with different body conditions. That way you also avoid unnecessary injuries.”
She says that for senior citizens who are new to yoga, it is better to start with slow-paced Hatha yoga. The advanced kinds such as vinyasa flow can be demanding for them, she adds.
