On the go from sunup to sundown and beyond?
These days, with our outrageously busy work and family schedules, we’re never quite feeling caught up with our to-do lists, and by necessity we’re becoming masters at multitasking. As we labor at our desks or scurry around town with errands, even more demands are heaped on us as cell phone calls, text messages, or emails announce themselves.
What is the cost of this frenetic lifestyle? Well, in the long run, we may sacrifice our health. In the short run, we pay with energy crashes.
No problem. Just dash into 7-Eleven and grab a Red Bull, a Coke, or a colossal cup of coffee. But, of course, that’s just a temporary fix.
In yoga, we like to address the root of the problem. While most people can’t, and wouldn’t even want to, dramatically shift their lifestyle, they can begin to incorporate practices that increase their energy in a healthy way and stave off long-term health consequences.
What truly saps our energy during the day is scattering our attention in many directions at once, taking too few breaks, thinking negatively, and breathing poorly.
The solution: resolve to take a short break, even five minutes, from your ordinary routine at some point in your day. Two breaks are even better. During your break, eliminate outside distractions, remain focused in the present, cultivate positive thinking, and breathe deeply and rhythmically.
Practicing yoga’s Tree Pose will cover all these bases. Step one: Sequester yourself in a quiet space and turn off your phone ringer. Next, aim to adopt the attitude of a young child taking on a new task; be adventurous and playful, and completely let go of expectations and self-judgement.
Fix your eyes on a single point in front of you. Now, shift your weight into your left foot. Lift your right foot and plant it on the inside of your left calf or thigh, turning your knee out to the side. Either extend your arms out to the sides for balance or hold them in prayer position at the center of your chest.
Breathe deeply through your nose. As you concentrate on maintaining your balance, all extraneous thoughts will dissipate. You’re focused, centered, and in the moment. If you lose your balance, take a deep breath and try again. After holding Tree for several breaths, release the pose and repeat on the opposite side. Whatever you can do is great.
With a yoga break like this, you’ll be doing yourself a world of good. You’ll sail through the rest of your activities with greater ease and efficiency.
