Errand yoga
Especially, living in LA, errands can take a whole day to complete. Add kids to the mix and I can’t imagine having the time to workout, do yoga or mediate when I have so much to do.
Here are a few things you can do while running your errands.

1. Post office calf raises: So you are waiting in the dreadful line at the post office and the blood is starting to boil as everyone has packages they are sending to Japan. Stand with feet hip width a part, soften the knees then lift to the balls of the feet slowly. Repeat until it’s your turn in line. Add a little squat now and then. People might look at you funny but really, is anyone sane at the post office?

2. Grocery ab rolls: So you are waiting in line while the old guy buys Metamucil, bananas and gin, all with coupons he can’t read and it’s taking him a decade to check out. Let your belly soften and inhale, as you exhale, slowly draw the belly in towards the spine and hold for a few beats. Repeat until it’s your turn or the guy keels over, whichever comes first.

3. Balance business: It’s hard to stay balanced, especially whilst running around to then wait in line. Think of the beautiful green of a tree in the middle of a field to keep you peaceful and find your tree pose. Take one of your feet and draw it towards the inside of your opposite ankle, calf or inner thigh. Standing on one foot, just take a few deep breaths, switch sides and you’ll be balanced in no time.

4. Shrug it off: Tension is almost always associated with running errands. Who likes to do things we’d rather hire an assistant to do? We wanna get through them so we can get to our yoga class, walk the dog or hang out with our friends. Try some shoulder shrugs, a few times forward and a few times backwards, together or one at a time. Add a few head rolls or hip rolls, knee rolls or ankle rolls to release tension, keep the body moving and believe it or not, burn calories. Those nervous twitchers, take note, you are burning more calories than those just standing still and quietly brooding.

5. Breath briefs: Wherever you are, take deep breaths, to the belly. It burns calories, tones the abdominal wall and relaxes and soothes the nervous system.

6. As I write, my father is getting a colonoscopy. He’s a two-time cancer survivor. Waiting in the hospital is no fun. Thank goodness for wireless waiting rooms and the space to…
Use the edge of a couch or table to do tricep dips or push-ups! Use a chair and take a twist or fold. See the office/small spaces blog I posted and do those seated poses/exercises. Even in a hospital waiting room, you can work out!!

So you can’t work out because you have too much to do, well, be creative and find some way to keep your body moving AND releasing tension at the same time when and where you can. Pepper it throughout your day and you are good to go.

Be good to yourselves, drink tons of water and call your mother.