If doing yoga during your commute sounds like a stretch, remember that not all yoga involves big contortions. Just try this the next time you’re stopped in traffic: move your head slowly from left to right, then up and down. If you feel tension in a particular spot, pause and take a few breaths, inviting relaxation into that spot.
That wasn’t so outrageous, was it?
Deepen your breathing
We’re always breathing. But during times of stress our breathing often becomes shallow, resulting in headache, fatigue, insomnia and muscle stiffness. Bringing awareness to the breath to deepen it can help you relax during your commute.
5 count breath
This type of breathing is effective at relieving stress.
- Close your mouth and keep your jaw relaxed.
- Breathe in through your nose for a count of five.
- Feel the air moving into your nose and filling up your chest.
- Use your diaphragm to slowly exhale for a count of five.
- Try to completely fill and empty your lungs when doing this breathing technique.
- Repeat three to five times.
Tune in to how you’re feeling
Take a mental scan of various parts of your body. Start by checking in with your head. Is your jaw relaxed or are you holding tension there? Release some tension by making some gentle movements with your jaw. Continue down your body and check in with your neck, back, arms, legs, core, fingers and toes. Bring slow, conscious movement to any part of your body that feels tense. If you’re driving, pay particular attention to how you’re holding the steering wheel. Are you gripping the wheel tightly, or is your body relaxed?
Perform poses pre- or post-journey
Here’s a simple routine of three popular yoga poses for before or after your commute.
Triangle pose
- Stand up tall, feet wide and arms extended to the sides.
- Inhale and pivot your left foot to the left so your left foot is now perpendicular to your right.
- Exhale and reach your left hand down to your left leg, ankle or the floor.
- Reach your right hand up high to the ceiling and look up at your hand.
- Keep a small bend in your knees.
- Inhale and exhale five times in this pose.
- Repeat on other side.
Cat and cow
- On your hands and knees, align your wrists under your shoulders, and your knees under your hips.
- Inhale and drop your belly as you look up toward the ceiling.
- As you exhale, round your back, tucking your chin into your chest.
- Repeat three times.
Happy baby pose
- Begin by lying down on your back.
- Hug your knees into your chest.
- Flex your feet and hold the arches of your feet in your hands with your shins perpendicular to the mat or floor.
- Breathe here for at least one minute.
