Whether we like it or not, modern life entails sitting at some point or other – whether this is school, college, work or home in front of a laptop or home computer at a desk or in a car. 

A lot of us spend our waking hours sitting and a lot of the physical work usually carried out at home and work is delegated to someone else!  Modern technology has given us many benefits and can keep us connected to friends and family in a way unimaginable even in some of our lifetimes.

The hours spent possibly hunched over devices and keyboards, holding that seated position create patterns in the body which tend to be static.  A consequence of this is an increase in issues around posture and back/shoulder alignment, particularly in sedentary workers as well as other well being issues.

Since the Industrial Revolution it has become more and more common to sit at chairs at a desk or table.  Many of the older generation can recall being taught table manners and manners at school – “sit up straight” or “don’t slouch” all good intentioned instruction designed to support posture.  In a way they were right though I think our approach now can be more nuanced.  In recent years it has become more common to work in a more relaxed style with consequent changes in posture and well-being  

Yoga is one of many forms of lifestyle and wellbeing options that can help alleviate symptoms and conditions that may arise as a result of desk working or a sedentary lifestyle.  It should be noted that not every desk worker will experience issues related to working at a desk at some point and the same can apply to those to drive or sit for long periods.

Why do we use chairs and desks for that matter?  Chairs have been in existence in one form or another since antiquity.  In their original form they were considered a position of authority (think of a Throne).  Furniture and comfortable chairs were also considered as evidence of a wealthy and comfortable lifestyle.   Workers in the aspiring Victorian classes liked to show their status and upwardly mobile lifestyles with more ornate and expensive chairs with different purposes.  Chairs and benches made their presence known to all with the growth in school attendance in the same period (and unfortunately workhouses too).  Think of all the sayings and expressions contemporary with this around stiffness/backbone/strength – designed to show off good manners and breeding – and pay attention! 

There is a growing body of evidence that yoga, particularly yoga therapy has many beneficial effects on both mind and body.  In the US alone, more research papers on yoga therapy are being published including randomised, controlled, double-blind studies that are the highest standard of research in modern medicine.  This has led to yoga and yoga therapy being used alongside conventional medicine and treatments for a range of health conditions.  There are a growing number of research studies internationally examining yoga’s role in improving mood, reducing perception of stress, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure, increasing lung capacity, improving muscles relaxation and body composition and helping treat conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia.   A lot of these conditions can be traced back to a sedentary, static lifestyle and work environment.

Back to sitting in particular.  What can we do to unravel some of the effects of a life in a seated position?  Stop and Stretch?  The office mantra we normally see or hear is “stop every 20 mins – take a break from the computer/phone etc”.  In reality this is less than easy to achieve, despite best intentions.  If you are in the midst of something – a long piece or writing/meeting… you will carry on whether 20 mins has been exceeded or not!  However the principal of stop and stretch can be incorporated into the day in a yoga pose or a breath.  Set an intention.  If you are a planner, slot brief sessions into your calendar with a reminder.  (This will also block time in your diary and prevent other from booking you into stuff!).  If you prefer more freeform, consciously move at the end of a meeting, call, writing session – even if it’s just heading for water, tea, coffee. Give yourself options to manage your wellbeing with ease.