Stressed at Work

Dear Ms. Yogi:

I have to work in front of a computer all day and I get a very tense neck, shoulders and lower back. It doesn’t help that my workload has more than doubled since our company downsized! I feel stress and yet I also feel trapped because I have to work to pay my bills (this is not my dream job!) What do you suggest for someone that works way too much to think of going home from work and then going out in the evening for a yoga class?

Signed,

Stressed at Work

Dear Stressed at Work:

I know your predicament is not uncommon these days. People are feeling the economic pinch as well as the time crunch to get more done in a short amount of time.

There are several things you can do to assist. Finding a yoga instructor that is knowledgeable and able to train employees quickly and efficiently on how to do yoga poses while at your office desk and in your business clothes is a first step. “Corporate Yoga” as it can be termed, uses poses that relieve stress and tension in the areas specifically affected from sitting in front of a computer all day (such as the ones you mentioned).

In addition, a good yoga instructor should also find out what specific areas each person tends to hold their stress. No matter where the stress is coming from, we all have areas of our body we are prone to have be more effected, although many people have common areas, we are not all the same.

Since “Corporate Yoga” is taught in a short amount of time and at the office, the cost is very low, so it solves both your issues.

In regards to your other comments, you may wish to consider taking a meditation workshop. For only a half-day investment of time, you can begin to learn how to accept daily events that currently cause stress and turn them around to make your life more joyful and serene. Simple techniques can be learned that allow you to choose what style and the length of time you wish to meditate for each day.

Both yoga and meditation have numerous medical studies to back the positive effects each has on your health. There are some links to reports about the subjects as well as, information on the yoga and meditation I have discussed. Go to: www.everybodyyoga.info

Good luck and may you find the path that brings you inner peace and happiness!

Namaste,

Ms. Yogi