It's time to reset and restart as you prepare for the beginning of another week. Whether you've got aches and pains from sitting down too long, or your mind is racing with work-related questions, we've got just the thing.
Top yoga instructor Zoe Young recently took over our Instagram account to bring you a live, 30-minute yoga flow workout. The workout included lots of shoulder rolls, opening up those muscle groups and making it perfect for people who spend their days hunched over their desks. Check out the flow below:
It's a great workout to end the week and prepare for the start of the next one, but there's science to back it up. Yoga can not only open up your shoulders, but prevent work-related back aches and pains, and even lower your stress levels.
One study, published in the scientific journal Occupational Medicine, found yoga reduces perceived stress and back pain, improves psychological well-being and has the potential to reduce sickness absences.
Dynamic yoga flows like this also work on your mobility, lengthening your muscles and improving your quality of life well into old age. Science dictates you should be doing stretching exercises every single day to stay healthy, fit and mobile as you age. Yoga flow routines like this will go a long way towards achieving that goal, as will our beginner's guide to stretching.
Lower stress will also reduce the production of the stress hormone known as cortisol in your body. Cortisol causes you to increase the amount of fat cells stored in your body: a contributing factor to weight gain. Cortisol has also been found by the journal Obesity to "influence the reward value of food" and is responsible for the phenomenon of "stress-eating".
Take 30 minutes to exercise, stretch your muscles and elevate your heart rate with Zoe Young's dynamic yoga flow. You'll reduce back pain, lower your stress levels, feel better, lose weight, improve your mobility and lengthen your lifespan. Now that's a serious workout.
Liked this?
-
-
What happens if you wake up at 5am every day for 30 days? This guy tried it
Sleep This YouTuber tried waking up at 5am for 30 days, to test the effect it would have on productivity, fitness and relationships
By Matt Evans •
-
Best exercise bike: The best cycles to lose weight and improve cardio at home
Buying guide The best exercise bikes will have you spinning, burning calories and toning your legs with minimal risk of injury
By Lee Bell •
-
Love Island's Laura Whitmore reveals new activewear collection, starting from just £15
Fitness We love this snazzy new range headed up by the Love Island presenter
By Sarah Finley •
-
Amazon Prime Day: Yoga mat deals for International Yoga Day
Deal Whether you're in the US or the UK. you can snag stellar Amazon Prime Day deals on the best yoga mats
By Matt Evans •
-
This is how the stress of returning to the office could impact your breathing
Mindfulness Here are two key exercises to calm your nervous system
By Sarah Finley •
-
Check out this stylish, eco-friendly workout clothing collection from one of our favorite yoga brands
Fitness With an array of colours the range is made from regenerated nylon
By Sarah Finley •
-
Best yoga mats: High-quality, easy-clean, grippy mats for every budget
Buying guide Our round-up of the best yoga mats, suitable for all types of yoga styles from Ashtanga to Yin
By Kat Bayly •
-
Workout: The 30-minute yoga flow to detox after a busy week
Yoga It's Friday! If this week has been too stressful, stretch away your pandemic worries with this yoga workout
By Matt Evans •
-
5 perfect exercise pairings: what to do alongside running, HIIT and more
Fitness Love a certain type of exercise? Maximize your performance with these complementary workouts!
By Fit&Well •
-
Gyms reopening: the new rules to be aware of
Fitness Monday saw gyms reopen across England - but are you prepared for the changes that have been put in place?
By Kirsty Welsh •
