Do Some Yoga While You Read

[trevorturtle]

A lot of people say they don't have time to do yoga. Well, do you read books? If so, you have time.

Poses you can do while reading:

• Pidgin
• Leg(s) on Wall
• Butterfly (can also be done with a laptop)
• Low Lunge

These poses are all very mellow. You don't have to actively do much, just relax into the pose and let gravity do the work. Sometime (when I'm not reading for very long) I'll just do one pose and keep switching back and forth between legs.

For more info and pictures check out the full article, How to Do Yoga While You Read.

Any other poses you guys can think of?

[cassiopeia]

Awesome, thanks! I keep meaning to get back into yoga, but keep putting it off because I'd rather do other stuff, like read

[firenexx]

This would be good for hatha or other purely physical forms of yoga. Traditionally, yoga has been a combination of meditation and asanas. To hold the asana without focusing on a specific chakra or performing an advanced esoteric technique would not be very effective.
I think this is a good idea as a way to get both reading and yoga in, but I think that it would be unwise to completely forget the roots of yoga as both a spiritual and physical endeavour.

[Clint Cora]

I sometimes do a stretching exercise that pro dancers do which involves lying on your back and propping the legs up against a wall. Then you let the weight of your legs stretch out as far as they will go and maintain this position. I've done some reading at the same time to be more productive. This type of stretch is great but might be considered a bit extreme for general fitness if you are not into activities that require higher flexibility like dance or martial arts.

[trevorturtle]

Originally Posted by firenexx

This would be good for hatha or other purely physical forms of yoga. Traditionally, yoga has been a combination of meditation and asanas. To hold the asana without focusing on a specific chakra or performing an advanced esoteric technique would not be very effective.
I think this is a good idea as a way to get both reading and yoga in, but I think that it would be unwise to completely forget the roots of yoga as both a spiritual and physical endeavour.

I definitely agree that doing this benign yoga is supplemental, and is in no way anywhere near a holistic practice.

That said, the actual technique being used in these yin poses is sometimes called waiting out the tension or relaxed stretching and will definitely help to open the muscles of the body. In that respect, this kind of stretching can be quite effective. However, much much more benefits will be gotten with a more traditional practice. But if you're already reading, might as well do a little stretching to, right?

[trevorturtle]

Originally Posted by Clint Cora

I sometimes do a stretching exercise that pro dancers do which involves lying on your back and propping the legs up against a wall. Then you let the weight of your legs stretch out as far as they will go and maintain this position. I've done some reading at the same time to be more productive. This type of stretch is great but might be considered a bit extreme for general fitness if you are not into activities that require higher flexibility like dance or martial arts.

Hmm.. it sounds like this is the same thing I called leg(s) on the wall? Am I missing something?

[Mariana Trench]

I -love- lotus or half lotus position for reading and doing computer work (I work on a laptop on my bed or the library's floor, ha). Full lotus, especially, keeps your posture perfect and it's so relaxing. Can hurt your legs after awhile and I had to work up to it with half lotus, but it is awesome.

[trevorturtle]

Originally Posted by Mariana Trench

I -love- lotus or half lotus position for reading and doing computer work (I work on a laptop on my bed or the library's floor, ha). Full lotus, especially, keeps your posture perfect and it's so relaxing. Can hurt your legs after awhile and I had to work up to it with half lotus, but it is awesome.

Yes, I love sitting like a yogi (can't do full lotus for more than a few seconds, I'm working on it though). It's so much more comfortable than sitting with legs straight.

[Marvel]

I use butterfly pose, but sometimes I read while in side splits position

[russianrocket]

I've always been apposed to doing anything, while working out. Aside from listening to music, at least. This idea that we don't have enough time for a workout, is crap. We all have plenty of time. I've met very few people, that truly don't have the time for it. And, if you really don't have the time, then you should probably work on your life a little better.

you should be fully engaged in the exercise. Meditate. Concentrate on your muscles. Be one with your body. Best way to get the best results, as well as not hurting yourself.

Not having enough time, is just another excuse. And doing something while exercising, is only a distraction from it, instead of actually trying to get enjoyment out of what you are doing.

[garentee]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I've always been apposed to doing anything, while working out. Aside from listening to music, at least. This idea that we don't have enough time for a workout, is crap. We all have plenty of time. I've met very few people, that truly don't have the time for it. And, if you really don't have the time, then you should probably work on your life a little better.

you should be fully engaged in the exercise. Meditate. Concentrate on your muscles. Be one with your body. Best way to get the best results, as well as not hurting yourself.

Not having enough time, is just another excuse. And doing something while exercising, is only a distraction from it, instead of actually trying to get enjoyment out of what you are doing.

Many people work 80 hour weeks

[russianrocket]

Originally Posted by garentee

Many people work 80 hour weeks

Then, I'd say your FIRST concern, should be not working 80 hours a week?

[trevorturtle]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

I've always been apposed to doing anything, while working out. Aside from listening to music, at least. This idea that we don't have enough time for a workout, is crap. We all have plenty of time. I've met very few people, that truly don't have the time for it. And, if you really don't have the time, then you should probably work on your life a little better.

you should be fully engaged in the exercise. Meditate. Concentrate on your muscles. Be one with your body. Best way to get the best results, as well as not hurting yourself.

Not having enough time, is just another excuse. And doing something while exercising, is only a distraction from it, instead of actually trying to get enjoyment out of what you are doing.

I agree with you on this. I don't even listen to music when I workout. But this is hardly a workout, it's just a way to easily incorporate some light stretching into your day.

A normal weekday for me is to wake up, surf, write, eat, go to work, get off work, eat. By this time it's about 8 o'clock and I'm digesting food. Given that I go to bed around 10-11, that doesn't give me much time to have a legit yoga practice does it? However, I can read a do a little light stretching while doing some reading.

[garentee]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Then, I'd say your FIRST concern, should be not working 80 hours a week?

Self employment can sometimes mean you have to work 80 hours per week.. especially in my case that I am a farmer... Its not just putting a seed in the ground and watching it grow...I do agree with you in principle, but reality may well be different... Luckily I do not pull 80 hours a week all year round...

[Partaker]

Originally Posted by russianrocket

Then, I'd say your FIRST concern, should be not working 80 hours a week?

life happens sometimes..


thanks for the link.. the leg stretches look great

[Razia]

Thats interesting and thanks for tips..

[Rickison]

Yoga is a form or meditation done in particular position. And the positions or asanas differ depending on your need. I think it is not possible to do yoga while reading because you cant focus on meditation. SO better keep at least half an hour a day for Yoga.