Taking my own advice: Stand up!

31 Jul 2015 Taking my own advice: Stand up!

One of the main things we have to remember as yoga teachers is that it is possible to follow our own advice.

But that can be challenging. Resistance shows up in the most dedicated of students.

Lately, I’ve been spending a fair amount of time at the computer: writing for the blog, working on new tee shirt designs, setting up my iCal to facilitate booking privates better, answering emails, and working my social media regimine. Too much time actually. And even though I know I shouldn’t sit for more than 20 minutes at a stretch, I haven’t been getting up from sitting on the reg. As a result, my left quadratus lumborum decided to start talking to me. Even though I knew I was getting a clear signal from my body to do something different, I didn’t, because sometimes I can get really sucked into what I’m doing on the computer, especially if I’m on a roll.

I use the Pomodoro Technique to get a good work groove going. But, when my timer would go off at 30 minutes, instead of standing up and taking a stretch break, I would switch to another computer task for my 6 minute break. Why? I know better. Sometimes chasing the thrill of productivity is just more alluring than making sure your back won’t hurt at the end of the work day.

On Wednesday, my back really started talking to me. When the message gets loud enough, we have to listen. So when my Pomodoro timer signaled my 30 minute work cycle was over, I got up and took a 6 minute asana break. All I did in those 6 minutes was Vanarasana (low lunge) and a 3-minute Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward-facing dog), but what a difference it made. 30 seconds into my first side of low lunge, I could feel quadratus lumborum begin to let go, and by the third round, things had shifted considerably.

Don’t let yourself get sucked into your work so much that your body pays for it. I promise to take better care and avoid Death by Sitting, and I encourgage you to do the same.