We all travel; be it on an airplane going to an exciting destination, or driving to the grocery store to get the hummus you absolutely need. And while we all try and sit properly at the beginning, backs nice and straight, shoulders away from the ears, eventually, if we’re there long enough, we sit however is comfortable. It’s inevitable and can leave us feeling off-kilter, aching, and needing to stretch. Here are a few stretches you can do seated wherever you are.
Yoga, stretching and staying in balance while traveling on Driving the Nation
Reach your arms up overhead, really stretch up through the hands, and feel your entire torso lengthen. Enjoy that feeling and experiment with reaching up one hand and then the other. Clasp your hands together overhead and as you inhale you will feel yourself grow even taller. Slowly as you exhale, bend to the left, compressing the left side of your body while expanding the right. Hold this for a few breaths before repeating on the right.
Bring your hands to your low back, like they were in your jean pockets. Press your hands into your low back, drawing the shoulders together and away from your ears. As you inhale, look up, gently curving the upper back. When we sit for long periods of time, we have a tendency to curl forward, and this will help bring some expansion back into the chest.
Bring your left hand to your tailbone and your right hand to your left knee. It’s starting to sound a little like twister but bear with me. Take a nice deep inhale and as you exhale allow your body to twist to the left. With every inhale come out of the twist a tiny bit, and with every exhale allow your ribs to soften a little further. Hold this pose for a few full breaths before repeating on the opposite side.
Lastly, fold forward. Right where you’re sitting fold your torso forward so that your belly is resting near your thighs, arms dangling, and neck relaxed. This fold will feel magical on your lower back if you’ve been sitting for an extended period.
Treat yourself for 10 minutes, stretch out the body and breathe deeply.
Yoga, stretching and staying in balance while traveling on Driving the Nation
Peace, Alyssa
