Do you find yourself feeling rundown and stressed out from your daily work grind? At Urban Wellness Clinic, we know how fast-paced, hectic and exhausting life in the city can be. Luckily, we share our favorite yoga poses to help you feel grounded, relaxed, and at peace after a long workday.

Recently, we’ve collaborated with the Ellevate app to integrate yoga with their all-around health initiative. Log onto the app, which can be purchased at the iTunes store, and find our yoga poses in a therapeutic yoga app challenge where participants can earn points and win prizes.

1. Viparita Karani (legs up the wall) – Whether you are worn down from being on your feet all day, or mentally exhausted after a hard day at work, this pose is designed to flush out anxiety and help you feel relaxed and at ease. By settling your pelvis and concentrating on your breathing, all other distractions weighing on your mind will begin to fall away as you watch your belly rise and fall.

2. Supta Baddha Konasana (reclined bound angle pose) – If your back is feeling tense and tight after too many hours sitting in front of a computer, this pose can help correct your posture issues and open up your spine. Not only does this yoga move relieve stress, it can also help with menstruation and circulation.

“Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.” B.K.S. Iyengar

3. Parivrtta Sukhasana (easy seated twist) – While twists can feel intense at first, they are incredibly satisfying for both the body and mind. As you turn, concentrate on your breathing and feel yourself growing taller with each twist. As you exhale, deepen into the twist for a greater impact. You are bound to feel refreshed and relaxed afterwards. This move is proven to reduce anxiety and tone your abdominal organs, so you can enjoy more clarity and energy afterwards.

4. Bhujangasana (high cobra on fingertips) — This pose requires you to stretch your legs back and spread your hands on the floor. Push the top of your feet into the floor and engage the muscles in the front of your legs. Lift your chest as you take a deep breath in. Repeating this pose can help to strengthen your spine, stretch your chest, firm your buttocks, and even provide relief for breathing conditions like asthma.

5. Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (modified lunge twist) — When you are doing this pose, you need to concentrate on engaging your quadriceps, while lifting your inner thighs and abdominals up and rolling your shoulders down. Not only does a modified lunge twist improve your sense of balance and aid in regular digestion, it also boosts stamina and increases energy.

If you would like to learn more about the Ellevate app and the yoga poses that are designed to target and eliminate the mental and physical stress that accumulates after a long day at work, we would love to hear from you. Feel free to book an appointment, or give us a call today to speak to one of our health care providers. We look forward to hearing from you and answering all your questions!