Category: Yoga

#WellnessWednesday: Yoga for Truck Drivers

Posted on September 23, 2015 by - big toe pose, chair pose, national yoga month, stiff muscles, trucking nation, upward salute pose, Yoga

We know, we know—yoga? While you may feel uncertain about it now, I’m going to list a few ways that yoga can benefit your posture, muscle groups, even your well-being. And since September is National Yoga Month, what better time is there to discuss this very popular exercise regime?

You can spend hours upon hours sitting down, and there are few things less painful than a stiff neck or sore back. What yoga does is help stretch those stiff muscles, loosen joints, increase endurance and strength, and improve physical stamina. We say it’s time to fix those areas that have been under constant pressure for so long!

To be on the safe side, let’s stay away from yoga poses that involve lying down. We don’t quite know how clean those truck stop parking lots are. Instead, poses that involve standing up will work wonders, as they are easy to do at rest areas, truck stops, or someplace off the road with a serene backdrop.

Chair Pose

  • Stand with your feet together, then raise your arms above your head, perpendicular to the floor. 
  • Bend your knees, extending slightly over your feet while your torso forms a right angle over your thighs.
  • Draw your tailbone down to the floor, keeping your lower back long. 
  • As you continue bringing your hips lower, there will be a slight bend in your upper back.
  • Lastly, look directly forward and hold the pose for up to one minute, inhaling and exhaling as you go.

    Upward Salute Pose

    • Stand with your feet together and arms at your sides, then press your weight evenly across the balls and arches of your feet.
    • Turn your arms so your palms face forward and fingers point toward the ground.
    • Sweep your arms out to the sides and up toward the sky. 
    • Press your hands firmly together by touching the bases of your palms, and then your fingers. 
    • Extend your elbows, reach up, and turn your thumbs slightly down toward the crown of your head. 
    • Tip your head back slightly and gaze at your thumbs.

    Big Toe Pose

    • Stand upright with your feet parallel, about six inches apart. 
    • Keep your legs completely straight and bend forward from your hip joints, moving your torso and head at once. 
    • Since you will probably have shoes on during this pose, skip intertwining your fingers with your toes, and instead use a band or strap to hook under your feet, and hold the position. 
    • Lift your torso and straighten your elbows. 
    • Exhale when you release your torso, bend toward your feet again, and repeat for as long as you’re comfortable.

    Although these poses seem simple, I’m confident that they will not only release your muscle tension and strengthen your body from the inside-out, but also make you look and feel good.

    Do you have some tips on practicing yoga on the road? Or maybe you would like to share some highlights from your own wellness journey. Either way, drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter!

    You can also call us at 704.234.6005 or email us at support@expresstrucktax.com if you have any questions. We love hearing from you, Trucking Nation!

    #WellnessWednesday: Yoga for Truckers

    Posted on July 8, 2015 by - #wellnesswednesday, best customer support, Expresstrucktax.com, Yoga

    When it comes to driving a truck, since you’re sitting in a vehicle most of the time, you can develop aches and pains.

    There are a number of different ways to combat these chronic aches, but the best way is to regularly do yoga.

    It doesn’t have to be anything crazy– just a few basic poses and some good, deep breaths to get a good stretch in and get that blood circulating. 

    That alone can make a world of difference in your mobility and overall happiness. It actually works so well that we even do it here at ExpressTruckTax!

    Here’s a few basic poses depicted by the ExpressTruckTax Support Legends!

    Tree Pose

    Kay

    To perform a successful tree pose, you only have to do a few things. When you inhale, move your arms up and over your head, and then when you exhale move your arms down by your side. This is done to improve your balance and find your center.

    And don’t forget to breathe! The breathing you do in yoga is important. It trains you to breathe properly, especially when doing exercise.

    Swan Dive

    Jana

    From the tree pose you can go into the Swan Dive pose which is essentially tree with a slight modification. Instead of moving just your arms up and down, move your arms up on inhale and on exhale, move down bending at your back and knees, then though the ground.

    Chair Pose

    Lauren

    From Swan Dive you can go into Chair. With the Chair pose, instead of touching the ground in front of your feet, you just bend at your knees, and squat slightly while arching your back.

    Cat Pose

    Sir Charles

    Cat is a floor pose. In order to perform the cat pose, you must be on all fours, back slightly arched with your face forward and arms slightly bent at the elbows.

    Sonial Balance

    Eli

    From the Cat pose you can perform the Sonial Balance pose. This pose requires you to be on all fours and extend your right arm and then your left leg (or vice versa) while balancing on your other limbs and stretching your body.

    Got some tips for how to stay healthy on the road? Or maybe you just want to share some highlights from your own wellness journey. Drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter! We love hearing from you, Trucking Nation!