De-Deskify Your Body

The way many of us work today—eyes locked on our screens, our fingers performing the same motions over and over—can lead to tightness, pain, and a foggy feeling that leaves us zonked and almost cross-eyed. Try these micro-yoga moves to let go of tension and restore balance to these often-ignored body parts.

- BY MERYL DAVIDS LANDAU

When most of us think of yoga, we think of big whole-body moves that challenge your flexibility and strength—and we love that. But your smaller joints and muscles need a little love too, especially if you work at a desk.

This routine was developed by Jyoti Gautam, a senior yoga teacher at Kamalaya Koh Samui, a holistic wellness spa in Thailand. “The whole concept of yoga is itself therapeutic,” says Gautam. “The sequence we designed here is for all types of people—those who have any ailments in the body can also use it as a supplemental practice,” along with their regular treatment.

The moves on these pages focus on the eyes, arms, wrists, and hands: They “improve joint flexibility, increase blood circulation, enhance awareness, and provide better coordination,” says Gautam. You can do the whole series or pick a section or two as needed (visit prevention.com/full-yoga-routine for the second part of this routine, targeting your shoulders, neck, and chest). Do the poses cross-legged on the floor rather than on your swivel chair—so you can focus on yourself rather than on work, work, work.

REVITALIZE YOUR EYES

Keep your head steady throughout all these poses—move only your eyes—to improve flexibility in your ocular muscles.

Two thumb gazes

1 Look around the room by stretching your eyes left, right, up, and down and to the corners. Make a loose fist with your right hand and hold it at eye level about 12 inches in front of you, thumb pointed up; place your other hand on your chin to keep your head still.