15-Minute Desk Decompress - Gentle Midday Stretch with Angela
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EmailDecember 12, 2024
View all Flexibility VideosGentle Midday Stretch with Angela
Length: ~15–16 minutes
What you’ll do
This seated routine is designed as a gentle midday reset to help reduce stiffness, improve posture, and re-energize your body. It combines light stretching, mobility, and low-intensity strengthening with a focus on the upper body, spine, and hips.
The video includes:
- Wrist and finger movements to warm up the hands and improve circulation
- Shoulder rolls and upper body mobility to release tension and open the chest
- Rib cage and hip movements to loosen the midsection and lower body
- Seated cat-cow with arm movements to mobilize the spine and support posture
- Gentle neck mobility and stretching to reduce tension
- Light cardio-style arm movements (forward and cross-body punches) to increase blood flow
- Overhead reach-and-pull movements to strengthen and activate the upper back
- Seated hinge and rowing exercises to engage back muscles and support spinal stability
- Shoulder and upper back exercises (butterfly movement and elbow circles)
- Neck strengthening and stretching using light resistance and side-to-side movements
Participants are encouraged to move slowly, stay within a comfortable range of motion, and use their breath to guide each movement.
Materials needed
- Chair (recommended for seated exercises)
- No additional equipment needed
About the instructor
This session is led by Angela Maniaci, Fitness and Wellbeing Coordinator with Michigan State University Health and Wellbeing (UHW). To explore more health promotion resources and programs, visit University Health and Wellbeing.