Yoga for Executives

In the world of deadlines, targets and cut throat competition, life is anything but relaxed, slow and peaceful. Everyone knows the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise but, where is the time for going to the gym or exercising? Every day we promise ourselves that we will do some sort of exercise in the evening but by the time we arrive home, we are swamped with our kids, spouse, parents, social obligations and so on. There goes another day and another promise! On top of that, these days, most of the work is done by sitting in a swivel chair and typing away to glory on a computer. Your eyes, neck, fingers, wrist, head, stomach, back etc are screaming in pain and need your attention. You know this, but are helpless because of paucity of time. Well, the least you can do is take a few minutes off work and do few basic yoga exercises sitting at your own desk! Then there would not be any excuses of you avoiding any workout.
Yoga is one of the most ancient and relaxing exercise techniques. All yoga exercises involve relaxed and rhythmic breathing and the person is compelled to focus on each and every muscle in his body. Thus, there is immense self realization in yoga. Basic yoga stretches regulate your breathing, which increases blood flow to all organs, thereby calming you down and reducing stress levels! Here are some basic Yoga exercises which can be done by sitting on your chair at your work station:
• Neck – it is one of the worst affected areas if you are chained to your laptop! This simple exercise will help you.
1. Sit straight, neck down, chin touching chest. Inhale.
2. Lift your chin to original position, touch right ear to right shoulder and then left ear to left shoulder. Rotate your neck clockwise. Exhale.
3. Neck down again, chin touching chest. Inhale.
4. Repeat same for left side.
5. Do it several times.

• Eyes – mirror to your soul and should always be stress free.
1. Stand straight. Just move your eyes and look up. Do not move anything else, just the eyes. Then look down and repeat this process several times
2. Rotation of eyes in a clock wise and anti clock wise direction while inhaling and exhaling accordingly helps a lot
3. Shut eyes for several moments, open and you are ready to face the world again

• Shoulders – bear the maximum stress when a person is hunched over the laptop!
1. Stand up, inhale and raise your arms in an upward position against your ears
2. Slowly bring them down while exhaling
3. Repeat process several times
4. Move shoulders in clockwise and anti clock wise directions several time and concentrate on your breathing

• When a person begins his day, posture is very important. Majority of back problems are related to how your posture is when you sit at your desk. Make sure, there is some gap between two feet and they are parallel to your shoulders. Sit back straight and do not hunch. While sitting down, make sure your hips touch the chair first, this way the back will follow and be straight automatically.
It totally depends on us how we take care of our body. Just knowing the facts about dieting or exercising is not enough, you need to inculcate the habit and make sure you did it regularly. It is never too late. Start right away!