Celebrating International Yoga Day with Rig Roughnecks

Working 21 days in a row and 12 hours every day! Are you bone tired? Yes, you are and we understand that working on oilrigs is no cakewalk. According to the Offshores Contractors Association Report, with three weeks in a row at offshore, most of the oil workers are left with substantial fatigue and will probably suffer psychological distress. Wouldn’t you want to explore the gift that Yoga is on this International Yoga Day?

We are aware of the harsh environ of the drilling industry and its time that some fundamental changes need to be incorporated to ensure the well being of the rig workers (and other challenging jobs in the oil and gas industry). Due to the great risks and dangers involved in this oil and gas industrial landscape, the physical and mental health of the workers is constantly a matter of concern.

Realising the growing importance of Yoga in order to deal with day-to-day stress in our lives, UNGA, in its 2015 official announcement, declared to observe 21st June every year as the International Day of Yoga to celebrate this ancient science in response to its universal appeal.

On this International Yoga Day, when the world celebrates the magnificence of our physical and spiritual being with the theme ‘Yoga for Peace’, we bring to you 7 wonderful Yoga asanas that can be practiced to get your mind off the rough rig life to maintain a fine balance:

1. Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar)

With this yoga practice of expressing gratitude to the powerhouse of the universe, you can rejuvenate your body and attain the strength to face day-to-day and unavoidable stress. There is a belief that the various parts of the body are governed by the divine impulse of light and it is this brilliant light that shines through your body, mind, and soul when you perform this sequence of yoga asanas, the sun salutation. 

Surya Namaskar is a complete body workout stretched in 12 inter-linked steps. The best time to perform this yoga practice is in the morning for prolonged life and for kick-starting your day with positivity. Let’s look at the wonderful benefits of sun salutation:

• Incredible impact on the stomach, liver, heart, intestines, chest, throats and legs
• Improves blood circulation
• Proper functioning of the bowels, stomach and the nerve centers
• Detoxification
• Reduces anxiety and fights insomnia

2. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

This simple asana involves the core muscles and helps you enhance focus and concentration. It is not just an asana but a strong outlook towards life. No matter what the nature of the storm, it helps you stand strong amidst all the turbulence with the following benefits:

• Improved posture
• Strengthening of thighs, knees, and ankles
• Increased awareness of your surroundings
• Enhanced strength, power, and mobility in the feet, legs, and hips
• Reduced flat feet

3. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)

Vrikshasana provides you with a fine sense of grounding. Replicating the steady stance of a tree, this posture offers you the following benefits:

• Improved balance and stability in the legs
• Achieve balance in other aspects of life
• Strong ligaments and tendon of the feet
• Strengthening and toning up of legs
• Enhanced strength of the spine

4. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)

With a deep breath and a wide stretch, experience the enlivening effects with this yoga asana in the form of the following benefits:

• Stretching of spine, chest, shoulders, hips and back muscles
• Strengthening of thighs, calves, and buttocks
• Stimulation of the spinal nerves
• Improved flexibility of the spine and right alignment of shoulders
• Stimulation of the nervous system and reduce depression

5. Kursiasana (Chair Pose) 

This powerful asana will rejuvenate your body and mind. Sitting on the chair would never have been so energizing. With this asana, the following benefits await you:

• Excellent toning of leg muscles
• Strengthening of hips, ankles, calves, and back
• Stretching of chest and shoulders
• Reduced symptoms of flat feet
• Stimulation of heart, diaphragm and abdominal organs

6. Balasana (Child Pose) 

Restore your vitality – physically and emotionally – with this wonderful yoga asana and find harmony within yourself. There’s a lot on the table with this surrendering posture:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Recharging the internal organs of the body
• Relief from pain in the lower back and neck
• Encouraging the right way of breathing
• Soothing effect on the body and the mind

7. Sukhasana 

The idea of this relaxing asana is to take you beyond the physical realm of yoga and help you find your center amidst the chaos. Your spiritual side awaits you while you make the most of this asana with the following benefits:

• Improved body posture
• Stretching and lengthening of the spine
• Peace, calm and serenity
• Broadening of collarbones and chest
• Helping in reducing fatigue

The modern era has arrived with its unique lifestyle challenges. The world is running after their dreams from pillar to post and there is no escape from the competitive hustle and bustle. On this background, Yoga makes an appearance as a blessing in disguise. And the optimistic side to it is that now people all across the globe are able to acknowledge and realize the power of Yoga in their mundane saga. Thus, we are reemphasizing upon the rewards of the regular practice of Yoga this International Yoga Day and certainly, it is worth giving a try.

This International Yoga Day, let’s try to incorporate Yoga in the rig life. For a tough and challenging life offshore and onshore, the harsh climate and the challenging situations, which our oil and gas industry people have to brave, yoga doesn’t come only as a rescue but as a much-needed way of life.

Why should the oil and gas industry miss out on this splendid and ethereal experience?

Breathe in, breathe out, sit back, pause and relax.

More power to you.