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Is your poor health making you less productive at work? Even when you are chained to your desk, you can fit in some time for yoga to stay healthy. These stretches by celebrity yoga expert Shameen Akhtar will leave you feeling relaxed, energised and also prevent many lifestyle conditions.
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When you sit for a long time, your legs get stiff. utkatasana will strengthen and tone the legs while opening up the hips. Stand straight keeping your feet a foot apart. Now squat deeply at both the knees and raise your hands up. Hold for a few breaths and slowly come up.
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Surya mudra is a simple hand gesture you can practise to improve focus and concentration. Simply sit in sukhasana and keep your eyes shut. Now press your ring finger down with your thumb. Hold it for a few minutes and repeat with the other hand. Repeat several times during the day.
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Pranayamasana or prayer pose can prevent vision problems that can occur when you stare steadily at any screen. Keep your palms together in namaste gesture and place your hands on your head so that their base rests on the centre of your hairline. Hold this pose and take a few deep breaths.
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This variation of prayer pose will help elevate your mood and boost respiratory capacity. Stand straight and as you inhale, bring your hands behind. Exhale and bring your palms together making a namaste gesture behind you. Hold for as long as you can and release.
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Parvatasana or mountain pose will ensure that you do not fall prey to headaches while you are at work. Sit in easy pose and raise your hands towards the sky with your palms facing each other. Now stretch your hands upwards and maintain the pose for 10-15 seconds and relax.
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The ujjayi breath can help you tackle stress. Sit in sukhasana and inhale with a soft pressure on your throat so that you can hear a rushing sound. Now exhale with the same sound. Breath nine to twelve times.
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The pran mudra will remove tiredness and help you de-stress. Sit with your eyes shut. Now touch the tips of the little finger and ring finger to the tip of your thumb. Hold for 3-5 minutes and repeat with another hand.
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Uttanasana or forward bending pose can prevent spinal problems that can occur when you sit in the wrong posture. Stand straight and raise your hands from the front to above your head. Now bend forward completely till your palms touch the floor. Hold for a few breaths and gently come up.
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Prithvi mudra will relieve hypertension and halt premature greying caused due to stress. Sit in the meditative pose with your eyes shut. Now touch the tip of the ring finger with the tip of thumb and hold for three to five. Do this with both hands.
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Your work can get you stressed, and bhramari or humming bee can calm you immediately and relieve anxiety. Sit with your eyes closed and place the index finger of each hand on each ear. Take a deep breath in and begin to hum softly. Extend for as long as you can and relax.
