Desk Yoga: Spinal Twist (Video)

Increase balance and agility with this modified “Lord of the Fishes” pose.

By Jessica Kellner

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Sitting at a desk all day can harm our posture, and in turn, our health. Join Jessica Kellner, the Editor-in-Chief of Mother Earth Living magazine, for a few minutes of rest and relaxation as she guides you through a new, office-friendly yoga stretch.

Today’s stretch is a spinal twist that’s a modification of the “lord of the fishes” pose. It’s a wonderful side-to-side stretch that helps increase balance and agility. Best of all, it can help prevent back injuries as it prepares your back muscles for certain movements you wouldn’t do on a daily basis.

To do this twisting stretch, cross one leg over the other and straighten your back. Get into the pose by exhaling and then twisting your body toward the leg that is crossed. Place your elbow that’s on the opposite side of your crossed leg against that knee. Press and look behind you. One of the most beneficial things about twisting poses such as this one is the way it can help move our air through our lungs. With that in mind, lean into this stretch as much as you can for five quality deep breaths, then do the opposite side. The more you do this stretch, the greater benefit and flexibility you’ll experience.

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