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At the risk of sounding like the inspirational yoga teacher from a Lifetime movie, yoga is everywhere, all around us!
I started doing yoga regularly about a year ago, and I absolutely love it. Every class brings new challenges, victories, and epiphanies. At this point, I'm pretty addicted—if I go more than a few days in a row without hitting the mat, I feel cranky and sluggish. On the flipside, though, I've also started noticing that everyday life includes a bounty of yoga-like poses that most people don't even realize they're doing.
At the risk of sounding like the inspirational yoga teacher from a Lifetime movie, yoga is everywhere, all around us! You just have to know where to look. For example, here are 10 inadvertent yoga poses that most of us have already mastered . . .
Wedge Balance Pose
What It Looks Like: Standing on one leg while twisting around to grab the side of your ankle.
When You Do It: Trying to buckle the ankle strap on your wedge sandal.
Benefits: Strengthens your legs, improves balance, and god you look amazing in those wedges.
Backseat Arm Twist Pose
What It Looks Like: A deep twist of the torso while reaching one arm behind you as far as you can.
When You Do It: Reaching into the backseat at a stoplight to frantically dig through your purse for a piece of gum.
Benefits: Increased flexibility, fresh breath.
Heart-Opening "Shut Up, Mom" Pose
What It Looks Like: A deep breath into the chest while rolling your shoulders back, closing your eyes, and trying to clear your mind of negative thoughts.
When You Do It: On the phone with your mom when she subtly references your shriveling ovaries and how "odd" it is that you haven't found a husband yet.
Benefits: Positive energy, lowered blood pressure, another day of tentative family harmony.
Front Camera Pose
What It Looks Like: An extension through the back of your neck while your chin tilts down slightly.
When You Do It: Trying to find the best angle to take a selfie.
Benefits: Release of tense neck muscles, more likes on Instagram.
Lounging Balance Pose
What It Looks Like: Laying on your side with legs extended, one arm bent, and your head resting in your palm.
When You Do It: Watching shows on your iPad in bed.
Benefits: Core strength, improved balance, getting caught up on Game of Thrones.
"It's Up Here Somewhere" Pose
What It Looks Like: A lengthening stretch through your whole body with your arms straight up above your head.
When You Do It: Trying to reach something on a high shelf in the closet.
Benefits: Improved circulation, release of stress, unearthing that hideous painting your boyfriend's aunt gave you in time to hang it up for her impromptu visit.
Monkey Feet Pose
What It Looks Like: Pressing the bottoms of your feet together and opening your knees as you bring your heels in toward your chest.
When You Do It: When your phone is on the other end of the couch and you use your feet to grab it without sitting up.
Benefits: Toning leg muscles, core strength, being able to respond promptly to texts without disturbing your comfy pillow situation.
"Notice Me, I'm Thirsty" Pose
What It Looks Like: Moving your shoulders from side to side and bobbing your neck up and down.
When You Do It: At a crowded bar, trying to make eye contact with the bartender.
Benefits: Tension release in the shoulders, improved neck flexibility, beer.
"I Always Stand Like This" Pose
What It Looks Like: Crossing one arm tightly over your chest and breathing deeply.
When You Do It: Answering the door for the UPS guy on Saturday morning when you're not wearing a bra.
Benefits: Deep shoulder stretch, increased circulation, nipple coverage.
Public Transit Inversion Pose
What It Looks Like: In a seated position, twisting your body to one side and scrunching all of your muscles to make yourself as small as possible.
When You Do It: On the bus when you need to subtly move away from the smelly, sweaty dude who just sat next to you.
Benefits: General toning, chakra balancing, avoidance of awkward smells and conversations.
