Are You A Huncher? Improve Your Posture With These Yoga Moves

Hunching is something that we could all stand to do a lot less of. If you’re working an office job or are feeling stressed, you’re more likely to hunch your shoulders, hang your neck and tense your muscles throughout the day. By the time you get home, you could feel like the early stages of a tension headache are brewing, built up of the stresses from the day. It doesn’t have to be this way. While work tension might be unavoidable, there are ways in which you can destress after a day at the office and it all starts with your muscles. Relaxing your muscles will help to start relaxing your mind, so the next time you’re feeling tense, try these soothing yoga moves. You will thank yourself later.

1. Chaturanga

(source: yogahara.com.au)

Helping to elongate the spine, Chaturanga is great for helping with rounded shoulders and tense muscles. Using a yoga mat, start off in a plank pose, holding your navel in tight and tucking your arms against the sides of your ribcage. Next, slightly tuck your chin in and breathe deeply for between 5 and 10 breaths. The move will help to build strength throughout your core, straighten out your back and make you feel more relaxed.

2. Supported Fish

(source: fractalenlightenment.com)

Opening up your chest, the Supported Fish move is a great way of readjusting your balance and finding your center of gravity again. For this move, you will need a yoga mat and a block. Place two yoga blocks on the mat, one for where your head will go and the other to lie in between your shoulder blades. Gently lie back onto the mat, moving the lower block so that it is just below your shoulder blades when your body weight is on it. Relax your arms by either side of your body and breathe deeply for 5 to 10 breaths. Your back will feel all the better when you get up.

3. Locust

(source: insideryoga.com)

If you’re looking for an effective way in which to build strength through yoga, the Locust move can help to improve your posture. First of all, lie face down on a yoga mat, keeping your arms flat at either side of your body. Next, slowly clasp your hands together behind the small of your back. Breathing deeply, gently lift your body off the mat and stay in the pose for between 5 and 10 breaths. It might be hard at first but soon, you will build up enough strength to perform the move without a second thought.

4. Sphinx Pose

(source: plus.google.com)

The balance between your chest and back is vital when it comes to improving your posture. If you’ve been hunching more than normal lately, the Sphinx Pose can help to reset the balance. Start off by lying on your stomach on a yoga mat, keeping your toes together. Next, place your elbows beneath your shoulders, with your forearms parallel to one another. Pull your chest towards your arms, pressing your shoulders together and down. Lightly press your pelvis to the ground and hold the pose for between 5 and 10 breaths.

5. Bow Pose

(source: hellomagazine.com)

Giving your muscles a good stretch is a great way to improve your posture and loosen things up. When it comes to improving muscle strength, the Bow Pose is a great move to have in your arsenal. Start off by lying face down on the mat, bending your knees and grabbing your ankles behind you. Next, press your feet away from your head and gently lift your chest off the ground. Hold the pose for between 5 and 10 deep breaths and feel your muscles stretching out.