Something to Do While Standing in Queue, In Line Yoga

Standing in a long, slow, ride queue at Disney can often be the least enjoyable part of your day; and if you're fatigued from walking around, carrying bags, and dodging tourists, standing in line can increase tension and leave your body feeling depleted.

Take advantage of the queue time to relax and focus on what your body needs. Try these three simple, rejuvenating, yoga poses to help release tension in your shoulders, neck, and upper back.

As with all standing poses, begin with your feet firmly planted in the ground. Lift up through the center of your body up out the top of your head as if you were being lifted up by a string. Keep your chest open and draw your shoulders back slightly for good posture. If the line starts moving, don't worry about it, move with the queue and just pick up the on your next long pause.

Shoulder Shrugs:

  • Stand tall with your hands hanging naturally at your sides.
  • Lift your shoulders up towards your ears as you inhale.
  • Release the shoulders back down as you exhale.
  • Clear your mind and let the tension release completely with every exhale.
  • Repeat at least 4-6 times.

Shrug Your Shoulders and Release Tension on ExhaleShrug Your Shoulders and Release Tension on Exhale

Neck Stretches:

  • Stand tall with your hands hanging naturally at your sides.
  • Gently lower your chin towards your chest to relax the back of your neck. Hold the position through 2-3 breaths and then return upright.
  • Now lower your right ear down towards your right shoulder. Hold through at least 2-3 breaths, and relax the left side of your neck thoroughly.
  • Return upright and repeat on the other side.
  • Finally, rotate your neck as far around towards the right as it feels comfortable, hold for 2-3 breaths, then return to center and repeat on the left side.

Gently Stretch Your Neck from Side to SideGently Stretch Your Neck from Side to Side

Mountain Reach:

  • Stand tall with your hands hanging naturally at your sides.
  • Reach your arms up and overhead, shoulder-distance apart.
  • Make sure the palms face away from each other gently and stretch upwards.
  • If you cannot straighten your elbows in this position, soften them and go wider.
  • Relax your neck letting the chin drop forward.
  • Hold for 5 breaths, relax and then repeat.

Reach High To Relieve Tension in ShouldersReach High To Relieve Tension in Shoulders

Yoga in the queue can be a fun way to pass the time and stretch your body during a hard day of touring. The simple stretches can be especially helpful for people traveling in spite of chronic pain or muscle and fatigue related illness. These are just a couple of many easy ways to stretch in the queue line. Can you think of others? Leave a comment an let us know how you use your queue time to it's fullest advantage!

Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 10/20/2011 - 22:36:

Kristen K.'s picture

No comments on my crazy yoga post? Really!? Don't you know how hard it was to get my daughter to pose for those pictures! LOL! SO what do you do when you're waiting in line?

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