Midday Energy Boosting Yoga Break

Been hit by the mid-afternoon energy crash (again)? You’re not alone. Most of us experience a bit of a slump in those fateful hours between 2 and 4 pm.

This 10-minute sequence, designed to give your screen strained eyes a break, release the tension in your shoulders and neck, and get your blood flowing (all from the comfort of your desk chair, the floor, or any other place you’d like to sit,) this yoga practice will perk you up and put some pep back in your step.

Transcript

Hi there! Welcome to your afternoon yoga sequence. This is the perfect practice to turn to when you're looking to counter that mid-afternoon slump that sets in around 2 or 3 pm and you're hoping to feel more energized without feeling wired. This practice can be done seated on the floor or seated in a chair. Once you are comfortably seated, I invite you to bring your attention to your breath. Now, Bring your hands together and rub them against each other. Pause for a moment, Then rest your palms over your eyes. Bring your attention to the spot between your eyebrows. Place one hand at the center of your chest and then rest the other hand on top of that hand. Bring your right ear to your right shoulder. Tilt your forehead back and your chin forward. Think of bringing your teeth closer together, But without grinding your teeth together or clenching your jaw. Drop your left shoulder. Breathe here. Bring your head up through center. Switch which hand is on top on your chest and then drop your left ear towards your left shoulder. Once again, Your forehead tilts back, Chin comes forward, Right shoulder drops down. Bring your head back up through center. Release your hands down to your thighs. Then on your next inhale, Circle your arms up overhead. Exhale, Circle down. Again, Inhale up. Exhale down. Final time, Inhale up. This time, Interlace your fingers. Flip your palms so they face up towards the ceiling. Then on your next inhale, Arch back. Exhale to round forward. Inhale, Arch back. Exhale, Round forward. Again, Inhale to arch. Exhale, Round. And then come back to a neutral spine. Arms are still reaching up. On your next exhale, Stretch over to the right. Up through center. Your exhale sends you to stretch to the left. Come back up. This time, As you exhale, Bring your arms down and twist to the right. On your next inhale, Come out of your twist. Bring your arms back up overhead. And as you exhale, Twist to the left. Arms come down. As you inhale, Come out of your twist. Arms come up. Exhale, Circle your arms down. You can remain seated for this part. And if you do remain seated and you're seated on the floor, Place your feet onto the floor and just lift and lower your heels. Otherwise, Make your way up to standing. Place your hands onto your hips. Shift your weight forward and lift your heels. Then lower your heels. Lift and lower. Continue with these calf raises at your own pace. Make this your final round. Bring your right foot forward and then make circles with your right ankle. Change the direction of your circles. And feel free to use a chair or the wall to support yourself, To help out with your balance. Bring your right foot in and switch to the left. Change the direction of your circles. Bring your left foot back in. Roll through your wrists and your hands. Really stretch your fingers out. And change the direction of those circles. Shake out your hands. And then release your arms down by your sides. I hope you were feeling more energized without feeling wired. Enjoy the rest of your day.