Thanks, I'll Stand

Often the first words we are greeted with are, “have a seat.” For thousands of years humans used their bodies as they were designed, for movement. People walked where they needed to go and sat when it was time to rest. Sitting all day at work or at home, simply is not good for us. If standing in place all day, which can hurt your back, knees, ankles and feet is not the answer, what is?

Like most things, variety is the spice of life, so mix it up. Stand some, sit a little and then get up and walk around.

Here are a few ideas FOR standing postures to get you started:

Stand like a tree pose is a technique developed by the Chinese to raise our energy levels and refresh mental and emotional health. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, let your arms hang loosely by your sides, lower your chin a little and relax your neck. Breathe calmly through your nose.

Mountain pose from yoga has you stand with your feet together balancing your weight on each foot. Hold your arms along the side of your body with your palms facing forward. Stand up straight, inhale and exhale for 10 breaths.

Western pose as demonstrated in old western movies which showed cowboys with one foot elevated on the foot rail of the bar to prevent backache. Use this method with a footstool if you use a standing desk or are on your feet for extended periods of time, to relieve your back.

Remember, sit down to rest, then stand up for health.

“Stand in the place where you are.”   REM