Monday, June 8, 2009

Stretch yourself!


If you spend hours in front of a computer every day, you can't imagine how much tension you'll be accumulating in your neck, shoulders and back. If you watch any animal, at work or play, they're stretching ALL the time because they're listening to their body. How often have we sat in front of our screens feeling the pain in our lower backs without stopping to relieve it?


Over time, sitting for prolonged periods in the same position while you are driving, typing or watching TV can lead to really bad posture and back problems. The trick is to NOT sit for more than an hour in the same position.

Just coz you have some sexy ergonomic chair, doesn't mean you shouldn't be stretching at your desk! Just stand up every so often, place your palms at the base of your back and slowly lean backwards but remember to hold this position for at least 20 seconds to allow the muscles to really stretch out properly.


And if your neck is hurting, just tilt your head to the side (bringing your ear toward your shoulder) and try to hold it there for about 20 seconds, then repeat on the other side. It seriously helps. A physiotherapist friend taught me this. You can also reach your right hand round to push the left side of your head closer to your shoulder to deepen the stretch (then repeat on other side)

Animals do all this naturally. When they get up from a nap, they usually stretch first before they even start going anywhere.


Yoga is a great way to stretch. Even cats can do the downward dog, don't mess! hehe

Check out her form. Her front paws are fully stretched out like the child's pose in yoga :)

So, just remember to MOVE or change your body position every hour. Force yourself to take a short break, even if it means just getting off your chair and walking to the bathroom or the kitchen to get a drink.


I'm not suggesting you do moves like this at your work desk (though that would be quite impressive ;) but doing a few simple shoulder rotations only takes a few moments and it really helps you to loosen up. Do a few going backwards, then forwards. Very straightforward!

No such thing as no time for a stretch. Gotta make the time :) Even while waiting for the cameras to set up on Health Buzz, Jehan and I managed to squeeze in this balancing stretch between takes :)

Stretching doesn't just relieve tension, it's so important to stretch before exercise so that your muscles are less likely to tear during a work out. Tight muscles actually WASTE energy and can become tired FASTER than relaxed, warmed up muscles. So, stretching helps prevent injury AND the muscles themselves also heal quicker!



I've only heard great things about tai chi so when I saw a group in the park at Taman Tun, I jumped in and tried to follow them.

What a great way to start my morning. Tai chi is so relaxing, physically AND mentally. Every movement is so graceful yet precise. I could feel the circulation in my body rising even though we all seemed to be moving in slow mo. Now imagine, if it was sped up, I could've morphed into Chun Li :)

My last word on this is to pretty please stretch if you're in the same position for AGES ok? Listen to your body, especially when you start feeling pain. A little bit of a stretch here and there goes a long way...


47 comments:

Unknown said...

The only time I stretch is when I'm struggling to wake up in the morning, before a futsal game or when I'm stretching over to reach for a plate of food at one of those big round tables. :P

Thanks for the reminder to stretch.

Hayley said...

true enough. my shoulder is wayy tired.. sometimes jobs are pilling up i dint even have time to strench!!
anyway, nice sharing!! take care!

Igniz said...

Thanks, Jojo.
I've always known the importance of stretching for every hour, but I didn't know the exact way to stretch.
Thanks for sharing the tips:)

Tekkaus said...

I stretch myself all the time! :D Yep! It's important to stretch. If not you'll get to rigid and break?

Adolfo said...

Stretching is so simple and yet so effective.

zewt said...

i am sure ppl buy that ergo chair was fascinated by the model more than anything.

Tania Yeoh said...

Hey!:) Imma girl, but you're really hot!:D

jojostruys said...

*blush* thanks :)

Niz Ariff said...

hey. imma gay but u r really hot!!;p..haha.

this post is very informative indeed. ppl like me easily spend hours in front of pc everyday..hai..

hey jo2. read some of your earlier posts. very interesting i must say. keep it up, i'll b one of your regular blog readers

ahmad endo said...

healthy buzz.....love when u tap dance.....hehehe....but the segment was so short....

Tekkaus said...

Jojo, can you do me a favour. Tell me what you think about my new thumbnail. Cast you vote here. Feel free to leave your comment. Thanks :D

Fariza said...

i love to watch healthy buzz...
i wanna be like u...fit, slim and gorgeous...keep it up jojo..!!
cheers
=)

EVo said...

u have 3 kids?? unbelievable.

Jojo Struys said...

Thanks for all your wonderful comments guys and gals. Everybody have been so supportive and has made blogging really fun !

By the way Evo - I am a mum to three pugs la not kids :) Jojo

Being and Quirkiness said...

I have started heeding this advice. Interesting about the animals. Great post.

Alvin Lim said...

Good idea. we always need to stretch our body a little - to refresh ourselves too.

Now...I do wonder...if the trainer who has been talking for 4 hours everyday will ever allow my colleagues and I to stretch... mmm..

Feather's Mother said...

Dearest Jojo,

I have been silently reading your blog for the past couple of months and if it's not too much to say this, I love how you always exude positive energy and inspiration through your beautiful posts here.

Especially today, I just have to leave a comment since you successsfully reminded everyone to literally 'stretch their limits' especially through yoga.

Keep on writing and hope to see you at my yoga centre one day.

P.S. Jehan (who's a natural at yoga, imagine being able to do Scorpion at his very first yoga class!) speaks highly of you.


Love and light,
Ninie
http://theyogainstructordiaries.blogspot.com
http://yogaiswheremyheartis.blogspot.com

iriene said...

Tks for sharing, I must make sure i stretch from now on.... Love ur videos on tap dancing! I want to be ur follower so that I don't miss any of ur post. Big Thank You!

Jojo Struys said...

thanks Ninie, really appreciate it n that sounds just like Jehan. U know first time he tried pole dancing, he was already trying to go upside down and of course fell of. We caught it on cam...it was really funny! hehe ;)

Jojo Struys said...

thx Iriene, don't get me started on tap dancing lol. I LOVE it. Been doing it since I was 8 or 9. It's really fun. Like making music with your feet :)

Unknown said...

Haha, I loved Tai Chi ever since I had to do a small presentation about it in college. I searched all over Youtube trying to learn the moves before I recorded myself on cam. >.<

Jojo Struys said...

guys, thanks for taking note on stretching. It's so easy to get lazy just a small bit of effort goes such a long way! It's worth it la :)

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