Yoga on the go

When it comes to getting out of bed and picking up the yoga mat, it can feel as if time is running out. But according to yoga instructor Anand Ramaswamy, the practice of yoga comprises certain asanas that one can do even while struggling to get out of bed in the morning.

Cat pose or Marjaryasana.

“Yoga is a state of mind and in our daily life there are various activities that one can do as part of yoga, if viewed holistically. When you wake up in the morning and are just lying down in bed, just stretch the body. Push your toes out, stretch the hands up, and give the body a gentle stretch for two-three minutes. This will wake you and your body. Followed by two glasses of water,” says Ramaswamy, co-founder We Live Yoga.

Sitting Naukasana, can be done sitting on chair.

To the same position, he suggests adding a couple of twists to wake the muscles. “Turn your leg to one side while the neck to other side. This will stretch the chest and abdomen,” he adds.

The yoga instructor also recommends stretching the body and standing on your toes when reaching out for tea or coffee containers in the kitchen.

As for those who sit on chairs for long hours, he advices doing the cat pose — marjaryasana. “Keeping your back straight at 90 degrees, push your chest forward. This is the essence of cat pose as it stretches the spine. Another is the sitting pawanmuktasana that helps to strengthen the tummy. Stretch your legs forward and bend while stretching your hands forward,” he says.

The simple stretch of hands while sitting for long hours.

And if even these seems to be a lot, Ramaswamy advocates some simple facial exercises by blowing air into your mouth, by whistling to stretch the face muscles or doing a few stretches while waiting at the signal. “Rotate your ankle, first clock and then anti-clock wise for 30 seconds. Do the same with your wrists,” he concludes.