Office Yoga: Simple Stretches for Busy People

This small, goofy-looking hardcover yoga book is actually quite nifty. It takes you across a full workday of ideas to incorporate yoga and peaceful actions to your schedule.

Starting with arising, there are a few pajama asanas. Nothing that absolute yoga novices can't do - there are some stretches forward in bed, followed by an extremely modified sun salute (no planks, chatarungas or cobras, just lunge, cat/cow and downdog). After recommending breakfast smoothie options, the author has you doing head rolls during the commute.

The "in-office" part is the meat of the book, with useful keyboard finger stretches, proper sitting postures, and a great assortment of easy chair stretches one can do the entire day. I keep this book propped open at my desk to this section to remind me to do the arm pulls, reaching hands and open chest stretches.

More from the office section: there are self-massages, eye strain solutions and headache rubs, and some "closed door" poses like tree pose, rag doll and warrior. Although if you are brave and work in a cubicle or bull pen, you might want to just do these poses where you can be seen and not worry about it. :)

The lunchtime section recommends a few floor poses, if you can find a place to be alone. The break section discusses brisks walks and suggests subtle stretches you can do in the elevator (one stretch is recommended for crowded elevators and one for when you have it all to yourself), copy room and in any office doorway.

A restorative desk posture and meditation are offered for the end of your workday, followed by simple releases and couch potato postures for once you get back home.

My overall impression is this book has more solid little tricks for real life than I expected from just browsing through it. There are real useful nuggets in there! The line drawings are a little hokey but I can overlook that. :)

I'd get this book as a neat gift for anyone with a frazzled work life, and I use it myself each day as a reminder to add simple stretches and mindfulness to my most mundane desk activities.

Great way to relax during conference calls and reading emails instead of sitting still. Highly recommended for anyone that wants to multitask work with simple exercise.

this is not hard core yoga, but really who can do that at work anyway? this book has nice, effective yoga moves that can be done at work without changing clothes or drawing alot of attention to yourself. the book is small but hardcover, i have mine on my desk and it always grabs peoples attention. i've reached for this in stressful moments and was glad i had it. the book would make a nice gife. i also have the lovers' yoga and i really, really like that one!

When do you need this book ? Got buried by hundreds of unread e-mails and a project deliverable deadline closing fast.
Just one simple pose, fold yourself down, you will feel "hope". That ! Is the greatest benefit from this book.
It works for me and my co-workers, it probably can work for you as well, as long as you mind your physical limitation, don't push too much or get hurt.

Office Yoga is a wonderful book for just about anyone. If you sit at a desk, at home in front of the TV or fly I recommend this book to stretch your muscles and mind. The simple to follow techniques can be done anywhere and in a short period of time, and what a difference they make. I carry this book with me when I travel...its like having your own private yoga instructor!