Something new: Finger yoga

Here at The Lakeville Journal we spend a lot of time tapping away at our keyboards and it occured to us that, in this modern world, we’re not alone in doing so. Between tweeting, facebooking and jobs that require fluency in spreadsheets and word processing, we thought it might be useful to readers to learn some stretches to keep their fingers and wrists nimble and free of pain.

Yoga instructor Zelina Blagden, who teaches in New York City, Lakeville and Sharon, shared these four simple stretches; take a few minutes, right at your desk, to practice them every few hours.

And remember, Blagden said: In yoga, “it’s all about breathing into the stretch.� You don’t necessarily want to count the seconds each exercise takes; time your stretches so each one takes two or three breaths.

                                                                                                     Interlaced fingers

Lace your fingers together, then turn your conjoined hands out so the palms are facing away from you. Hold for two or three slow breaths. As with all these stretches, push until your arms are extended but not hyperextended. Keep your back and shoulders straight while you work, for maximum benefit.

                                                                                                        Extended arm

Stretch one arm out (extend but don’t hyperextend; your shoulder shouldn’t be popping forward). Bend your hand down at the wrist. With your free hand, gently push your fingers back toward your body. Do two or three times, then repeat with  the other arm. Start again, but this time bend your wrist up, so that you’re looking at the palm of your hand.

Cupped hands

Extend your arms and spread them apart a little wider than shoulder width. Press your fingertips into the surface of your desk but cup your hands, as though you are holding a small ball, or as though you’re creating a cage with your fingers (your palm is the roof of the cage). Pulse your fingertips almost as if you were massaging the surface of your desk. This exercise stimulates the muscles in your wrists.

Neck opener

Tilt your head to the right and gently pull the top of your head down toward your shoulder with your right hand. Extend your left arm and gently raise it and lower it. “You want to slowly flap it, like a wing. This creates length.�

Repeat on the other side.