Thousands of years ago, our ancestors did most of their work using their physical body. Hunting, fighting, re-locating, then agriculture: they were in constant motion. There was no point in setting aside a time for exercising simply because movement was the essence of their lives. Since then, times have changed and we can’t say the same about our current existence. Intelligence replaced strength as the most wanted tool of the trade. While we overwork our minds in the office- the modern cave-, it’s essential to keep our bodies active as well.
However, after a 9 to 5 in the office, not many of us feel like going to the gym and putting extra pressure on ourselves to become “better.” Stronger. Healthier. More attractive. Exercise strengthens both the muscles and the will and has undeniable health benefits, yet sometimes we feel the need for a more nurturing approach that tends to our bodies as well as to our minds. So, what’s the alternative?
People have been practicing yoga for more than 5000 years and studies support this century-old practice by showing its numerous health benefits. Balancing activity and relaxation, strengthening and stretching poses, body and breath, yoga aims to bring more harmony into our lives by creating a safe space where we can be ourselves both in movement and in stillness. Here are some reasons why it’s perfect for you if you spend most of your day at your desk.
1. Yoga (gently) fights stress
Multitasking, time pressure, noise… In an office, things have to be done well and on time. Yoga brings you the opposite: it’s a practice where you can allow yourself the time and the space to be in your body and to nurture your mind, away from what the outer world requires of you. You have the freedom to fully inhabit a peaceful present.
Yoga has been proven to reduce stress by lowering levels of cortisol, the main stress hormone. While stress is linked to demanding circumstances, yoga doesn’t demand anything from you except to show up for yourself. Since we’re all different, there’s no correct or incorrect way of doing it. As opposed to work performance, where we’re expected to meet a common standard, it’s impossible for two people to have the exact same yoga practice- and that’s perfectly fine.
2. Yoga makes you more flexible
Your body isn’t happy being in the same position, especially in a sitting position, for long periods of time. Through yoga, you move into postures that you wouldn’t normally adopt and this helps you avoid stiffness in your body by improving flexibility. You’ll have more freedom of movement (physically and mentally as well) during both your work hours and your free time!
3. Yoga is good for your back
If you work in an office, back pain is probably not a stranger to you. Through stretching and strengthening exercises for your back, yoga can help you restore a healthy posture and reduce discomfort. Whether you squeeze in a few minutes of yoga during your work hours or practice in your leisure time, you’re sure to notice improvements!
4. Yoga for better sleep
Stress comes hand in hand with sleeping issues. Often, our bodies are too tense and our minds too keyed up to be able to rest properly. Whether you work in administration or in professional writing services, at the end of your shift, yoga calms your system down and prepares it for rest. Falling asleep faster, improved sleep quality and feeling well-rested in the morning are things that can make your whole day much better, and they’re all benefits of yoga.
5. Yoga for focus
Not only does yoga help your body be healthier, but it can also give a boost to your brain! Participants in a study had improved attentional focus and could process information faster and more efficiently after only 20 minutes of yoga. While we usually scatter our mental resources on multiple things every day, yoga can help us refocus, regroup and get ready for the next task.
Since a sedentary lifestyle can heighten the risk for cardiovascular disease, the positive impact of yoga on heart health is not to be ignored either. More than that, the practice can soothe your migraines and improve your general quality of life.
Often we exhaust ourselves for the sake of good performance in any domain of our lives: work, relationships, personal development. Maybe it’s ironic, but being well-rested and balanced helps us improve performance more than pushing ourselves does. Taking some time for ourselves in the middle of a hectic day can help us re-find the personal power that we keep scattering around to circumstances, to tasks or to other people. This way, yoga can help us balance the body and the mind into a coherent, healthy whole, ready to face the world with renewed resources.
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