Model: Abbie Dutterer; Photography: Faern |
Find ways to incorporate yoga clothing into your work wardrobe. I wear a mala to work nearly every day. I also wear yoga tops in the place of camisoles. That way even though I am conforming to my office culture and look “professional” I have little reminders of my practice even when I’m in meetings away from my desk. (And it makes changing for yoga after work a breeze!)
Take stretch breaks often. There are lots of poses you can do right in your desk chair. My favorite desk stretches are seated twists (using the arm rests for extra traction), Cow Face Pose, and–when no one is looking–seated Cat-Cows and Tolasana from my desk chair!
Listen to kirtan. I love listening to music while I work, but songs with lyrics are distracting when you work with words. Kirtan is soothing and reminds me of my yoga practice, and the fact that I don’t understand the words is a bonus because I can just enjoy the vibrations.
Take a deep breath every time you get a phone call or email. This is my trick to manage stress and communicate mindfully.
Teeg says
I love this!! its so true – the office is the hardest time to remember the practice. i dont know how i would stay sane without a little kirtan!
Meredith LeBlanc says
I often put on kirtan music on my blackberry while working just loud enough so it lulls me on crazy days, especially Deva Premal.
♥♥♥
yogicrystal says
Love this post, so true… I feel like you wrote this for me really. 🙂 Great tips and ones I already try to follow – wearing a mala and I have used "So-Hum" when needing to calm down.
Now, if I only worked with Teeg and Meredith… that would probably make for a calmer day <3
SpoiledYogi says
Thanks all! Yes.. I think we should create a yogic work force, where people are all kind and compassionate of each other. And there are no deadlines or yearly reviews.. and definitely no sales goals to reach… I think I'm on to something..
J-Bo says
I am happy to have come across this today. I needed the reminder! Thanks.
Erik says
listening to music with no lyrics helps to balance the thought waves in your head and relaxes you allot throughout the day.