Part 3 -Postural Practice for Prolonged Sitting

Ergonomic Office Chairs: Part 3 -Postural Practice for Prolonged Sitting.

Part 1and 2 demonstrates how movement and a greater capacity for oxygen can help to sustain comfort in prolonged sitting. Part 3 adds to this combination and shows you how by incorporating stretching into the formula; you will further energize your body, making you feel more comfortable in prolonged sitting.

Stretching exercises are all part of Yoga routines, which people may consider only to be of value for flexible people. Yet how did they get to that state, without practice? Yoga is not just a religious philosophy, but a crucial combination of skeletal stretches for the purpose of creating a relaxed body that calms the mind. Does this make sense?

A good stretch to start the day is my ‘Sunrise Salutation’:

Begin by sitting in the chair with your feet placed firmly on the ground and your hands in the prayer position placed in front of you.

Bring your finger tips towards your body, but still keeping your hands together.

Now lift both hands and arms upwards and out for creating the opening of the sunrise.

Really stretch them up and out into a wide arc and slowly bring back to the prayer position.

These are the movements, now I want you to combine this procedure in combination with a deep breath

Begin by starting with your hands in the prayer position.

Take a slow inhalation as you point your finger tips towards you and stretch your fingers high up in a vertical position.

Then as the hands begin to move down to each side, exhale slowly and feel all the tension melt from your muscles, as you return back to the prayer position.

Try the Sunrise Salutation a few times and you will find that your body will love this form of exercise. It stretches and energizes all your upper limb muscles and back that you will be using when sitting; as well as improving the oxygen supply to our bodies, before starting to perform productive activity.

If you like doing these movements and want to experience more; then try attending a Beginners Yoga Class. You will learn a series of stretches and poses that may seem impossible to begin with; but as your body learns to move and stretch, you will notice greater improvement and have fewer discomforts in your body, particularly your back.

Stretching movements are quite safe and normal to our body. We have just never practiced them before. The Sunrise Salutation can be used any time during the day, for giving your body that boost of energy before you start on any productive project.

By learning to practice a combination of movement, stretching and breathing; you will enhance your body’s capacity to remain comfortable for prolonged sitting on a daily basis.