Skip to Content
Baker College Baker College Alternate Logo
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Request Info
  • (855) 487-7888
Apply Visit Request Info
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Studies
      • College of Business
      • College of Education
      • College of Engineering and Information Technology
      • College of Health Science
        • School of Nursing
        • School of Occupational Therapy
      • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
      • College of Social Science
    • Online Learning
      • Baker Online
    • Graduate Studies
      • Center for
        Graduate Studies
    • Affiliated Institutions
        • Auto / Diesel
        • Culinary Institute of Michigan
    • Resources
      • Create a Customized Viewbook 2020-2021 - Program Catalog 2020-2021 - Student Handbook
        • Academic Calendar
        • Full Program List
        • Full Course List
  • Admissions & Aid
    • Undergraduate Admissions
      • Undergraduate Admissions Events
      • Apply Undergraduate
      • Application Requirements
    • Tuition & Aid
      • Scholarships
      • Tuition
      • Financial Aid
      • Grants
      • Loans
      • Net Price Calculator
    • Graduate Admissions
      • Accelerated Path
      • Apply Graduate
      • Application Requirements
      • Transfer Credits
    • Transfer Students
      • Transferring Credits
      • Bridge to Bachelor’s
      • Transfer Scholarships
      • Transfer Tuesday Events
      • Transfer Application Checklist
    • Other
      • Running Start
      • New Student Orientation
      • Military Friendly
      • Discover Your Major
      • Direct Admission Programs
      • International Students
  • Student Services
    • Living
      • Student Housing
      • Campus Safety
      • Student Life
    • Resources
      • Bookstore
      • OneStop
      • Academic Resource Center
      • Learning Support Services
      • Disability Services
    Featured Event
    Virtual Auto / Diesel Institute of Michigan Event
    Tuesday
    Feb. 2nd
    Learn more
  • Campuses
    • Michigan
      • Auburn Hills
      • Cadillac
      • Jackson
      • Muskegon
      • Owosso
      • Royal Oak
      • Auto/Diesel Institute
      • Culinary Institute - Muskegon
      • Culinary Institute - Port Huron
    • Global Campuses
      • Center for Graduate Studies
      • Baker Online
    Featured Event
    Virtual College of Education Event
    Wednesday
    Feb. 3rd
    Learn more
  • About Baker
    • Get to Know Us
      • Guiding Principles
      • BakerProud
      • News
      • Events
      • Blog
      • Office of the President
      • Accreditation
      • History
      • Not for Profit
      • Careers
    Featured News
    Baker College RESD Students Raise Funds for the Homeless
    Learn More
  • Tools & Resources
    • Current Students & Faculty
      • My Baker
      • Canvas
      • Baker Mail
      • Style Guide
    Featured Event
    Virtual Transfer Student Event
    Wednesday
    Feb. 3rd
    Learn more
  • Alumni
    • Alumni Resources
      • Transcripts
  • Employers
    • Employers Resources
      • Career Services
      • Handshake
    Featured Event
    Virtual College of Business Event
    Thursday
    Feb. 4th
    Learn more
Blog
  • About Baker
  • Get to Know Us
  • Blog
  • Increase Wellness by Doing Yoga at Your Desk
Filter by
Filter By:
Cancel Apply
School of Occupational Therapy

Increase Wellness by Doing Yoga at Your Desk

By: Susan Tons PhD, OTRL, CHT
April 25, 2019
Student intern stretching at her desk

Student intern stretching at her desk.

April is Occupational Therapy Month.  If you’re like most people, you think of Occupational Therapy as important or useful exclusively to individuals who are recovering from an injury or illness.  And while it’s true that OT professionals are dedicated to improving the lives of those suffering from a variety of ailments, getting them back to work and the activities they love, we’re also committed to preventive care…helping individuals stay well, and avoid the pitfalls of aches and pains…including those incurred from their habits at work.

Sitting at a desk for eight hours-a-day, five days-a-week, can really take its toll on the body…tight shoulders, stiff necks and sore hips and backs can strike millennials and baby boomers alike. 

To help combat these issues, Occupational Therapists with a yoga background may integrate yoga practices to offer easy and accessible preventive wellness habits, including desk yoga for office workers.

Here are some that you can try!  The following exercises take little time, can be done right at your desk (or while sitting in traffic or standing in line) and can reap big benefits for your body, stress levels and mental focus when performed regularly.

The videos below focus on healthy postural alignment…engaging and elongating muscles.  Remember to breathe through every movement, and never do anything that causes discomfort or pain (or that goes against any medical advice you’ve been given).  You may find it helpful to set a timer when at your desk, every 30 -60 minutes, to remind yourself to re-engage these muscles.

If you would like more information about occupational therapy as a career, go to aota.org

Occupational therapists help people do the things they want to do with more independence when there has been an illness, injury or circumstance that interrupts their life. If this sounds like the career for you, please see visit our Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) or Occupational Therapist (MOT) educational degree programs at Baker College.

Dr. Susan Tons is passionate about combining her career in occupational therapy with the practice of yoga. Susan has always loved learning new things. Her practice as an occupational therapist led her to complete a Masters degree in Family Studies/Health Education and her rehabilitation work with patients with upper extremity injuries led her to get her credential as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT).

In her current role as a Professor in the Masters Of Occupational Therapy Program at Baker College Center for Graduate Studies, she entered a program in higher education and adult learning at Michigan State University where she earned her PhD in 2011. Susan’s personal practice of yoga also facilitated a desire to learn and she initiated training to become a yoga instructor in 2004 which culminated in being a Registered Yoga Instructor (Yoga alliance RYT 200). She currently teaches approximately 4 yoga classes per week and periodically teaches anatomy in Yoga Teacher Trainings.

Susan Tons PhD, OTRL, CHT

Follow Baker College

Filter by Tag

Filter by Tag

Recent Blog Entries

College of Business
Thinking About Getting a Business Degree Online? Here are 4 Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Program.

Read More
Resources
Student Resources for Maintaining Mental Health In College

Read More
College of Business
Want to Earn a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Business? Find Out How a Combination Program Can Help You Get Ahead.

Read More
We're Here to Help
Ready to take the next step?

Contact us today to speak with a
Baker admissions expert.












reCAPTCHA helps prevent automated form spam.
The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA.


Admissions

Apply
  • Online
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Tuition & Aid
  • International Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Military Friendly
  • Running Start

About Baker

Schedule a Visit
  • Get to Know Us
  • Mission & Vision
  • Accreditation
  • News
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Careers

Tools & Resources

Request Info
  • My Baker
  • Canvas
  • Baker Mail
  • Bookstore
  • Academic Resource Center

Contact Us

(855)487-7888
  • 1020 S Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867

  • Phone: (800) 964-4299

  • Policies & Procedures

  • Disclosure of Consumer Information

  • Privacy Policy

  • Facebook Icon Youtube Icon Twitter Icon Instagram Icon Linkedin Icon
  • Disclosure of Consumer Information

  • Policies & Procedures

  • Privacy Policy

Baker College
  • Facebook Youtube Twitter Instagram Linkedin
Baker College

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. An equal opportunity affirmative action institution. An approved institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC)

© 2020 All rights reserved. Baker College
affiliated-institution-4 themed themed--adi