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Shameem Akthar, yogacharya, trained with Trivandrum's Sivanananda Yoga Vedanta Center, leads you through five yoga poses that can be done while watching TV.
As stated in this column earlier, a sedentary life-style is as injurious to health as heavy smoking. So while watching the world cup or while passing time before TV to just relax you may wish to incorporate a complete body work-out that also releases tensions, eases stiffness and boosts blood circulation. A five-minute yoga break, during the ad breaks, is a great way to combine passive watching with active yoga. You may also include this as part of your work space, to take stretch breaks while at the desk.
These poses are all classics, modified to create similar, though reduced benefits in the body. They are also selected because you are not required to do the necessary warm-ups as with more intense poses on the mat.
They also cover the entire body if done sequentially, from the neck to the legs, all of which tend to get stiff, blocking circulation, while you sit still for too long. Other benefits include postural corrections, improved breathing, gentle de-stress and a better ability to fall asleep post-TV time.
Watching television (or computer screen) for long can affect the pineal gland adversely, causing insomnia or disturbed sleep.
For more of Shameem's yoga writings visit http://jaisivananda.blogspot.com. Follow Shameem's yoga products on her online shop Yogatique on Rediff Shopping here. Shameem's second book Yoga in the workplace, with photographs by ace photographer Fawzan Husain, is now available at online shops and bookshops across the country.
Disclaimer: This column just shares the columnist's passion for yoga which is ideally learned under the guidance of an expert.
May be done seated, or standing. Hold hands as shown, cupping either elbow with opposite hands. Inhale. Exhaling lower head between the hands as shown. Breathe normally in final pose. Hold this for a few seconds. Repeat a few times.
Benefits: Sends a gush of blood to face, keeping it clear. Blood circulation is boosted to brain, stimulating and resting it. Works out arms, if held aligned as shown. Works the upper back, releasing tension lodged in the neck and shoulder region.
May be done seated or standing. Place hands overhead as shown, inhaling. Exhaling, stretch the arms as high as you can, looking at hands by tilting head lightly. Breathe normally in final pose.
Hold for a few seconds.Inhale, exhaling drop hands back to side. Repeat a few times.
Benefits: A complete body stretch, if done standing. If seated, stretches upper body, till hips. Is a cure-all pose, healing and controlling several chronic ailments of the spine, digestion, circulation. Releases tensions.