Ergonomics, Yoga and Health for Stitchers

I've heard stories of needlepointers stitching for 6-8 hours straight these days, as we try and keep anxieties and worries at bay and focus on accomplishing something.  That is laudable but you need to keep your body in mind as you stitch.  Sitting for that long doing a repetitive motion is very bad for it.

Over in the right hand column, under the pink heart photo, are a series of links in the "Ergonomics, Yoga and Health for Stitchers" section.  Take this information to heart.  Don't hurt yourself!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 26, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Yoga Exercises for the Needlepoint Fiend

NJNA has a great article on their blog with links to yoga exercises for one's body to prevent overuse injuries to our hands, arms, wrists, backs, etc.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/02/18/needlepoint-yoga/

Thanks, Mally!  I've added this link to the ergonomics section of Blog in the right hand column so we can continue to refer to it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 18, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Remember to Stretch

Needlepoint for Fun has a wonderful section on their website about exercises and ergonomics for stitchers that will help you avoid problems with your stitching posture, overuse of your wrists, arms, shoulders, etc.  It's so good I added it to the "Yoga and Ergonomics for Stitchers" section of Blog, which is on the right side, just under the koi pond.  I suggest you visit these links occasionally to remind yourself of ways to keep from hurting yourself during those long stitching sessions in front of the television.
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/needlepoint-pain.htm

Barbara Bergsten gave me the idea when she got her yoga instructor to write up some stretches for stitchers.  I added her two articles first, then added more links as I stumbled across them.  After all, our bodies are our most important stitching tools and we need to care for them well.

Thanks, Barbara.  Every day without pain is a good day!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Repurposing That Yoga Mat Bag

I discovered through Facebook's Needlepoint Nation that some folks use yoga mat bags from Outer Peace Designs to carry their floor frames and lights when they travel.   These are hand made by the owner of the company and I am told they are good quality. I'm also told that not every light or stand fits well in these bags so measure your tools before you buy!
http://outerpeacedesign.com/#sthash.HvuHnRlO.SBlfUaI9.dpbs

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Be Good to Your Body, Stitchers

Last week I posted a new link in the right hand column under the "Yoga For Stitchers" section.  It joins the two links to Barbara Bergsten's column for relaxation and stretching exercises.  This link which I've called Hand and Wrist Exercises is actually more than that.  It gives you a great deal of information about proper ergonomics for those who use a computer a lot.  There are specialized tips for those who have arthritis, too.
http://onecoolsitebloggingtips.com/2011/10/16/hand-and-wrist-exercises-for-bloggers/

We don't realize how much we use our bodies until they protest.  Take good care of your body so that surgery or a break from stitching isn't in your future.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Blog Changes

This morning I changed the header photo to something summery-the little Melissa Shirley mermaid I stitched last year.  I've also added links to Barbara Bergsten's yoga exercises so we can take advantage of the information to build healthy stitching habits.  You'll find them just below the koi pond in the right hand column. I thought that would be an easy way to find them among all the information that clutters up the right side of the page.  I'm also considering removing the Stash Credits box.  What do you think?  It was fun to keep track of all the threads I used this year and last but I don't think anyone is much interested besides me.  After all, you guys already know I'm a threadaholic!

Any other changes you'd like to see?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Meditation Minutes

The second of Barbara Bergsten's guest posting about yoga and needlepoint as meditation is on her blog.  I think it is worth printing out the meditation exercise at the end of the article, and reading through it as preparation for your stitch time.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/05/meditation-in-needlework.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Yoga for Needlepointers

Remember that Barbara Bergsten posted a hand exercise on her blog recently?
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/reduce-needlepoint-hand-stress.html 

That was so popular that Barbara has talked her yoga teacher into writing articles to help us keep from hurting ourselves during the long stitching sessions we love to indulge in.  Here's the first article.  I'm printing it out and sticking it next to my stitching chair.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/needlepoint-yoga.html

Thanks, Barbara!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Relax. Breathe. Stitch.

Brenda Stofft

Most of us view our needlepoint as relaxing but you can over do it, you know.  Barbara has a lovely stretching exercise for our hands.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/reduce-needlepoint-hand-stress.html

UPDATE:  The above has been so popular that Barbara talked her yoga instructor into doing a series of articles for needlepointers on Barbara's blog.  Here is the first lesson.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/needlepoint-yoga.html


Seeing Barbara's posting reminded me of the lovely Buddha and mandala themed painted canvases available. I thought I'd find some for you to enjoy.  The image above is Brenda Stofft's Buddha Cat.
http://www.brendastofftdesigns.com/Cats%20and%20Dogs.htm


Lani has Buddhas in many sizes and styles, and also Zen symbol canvases.
http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/buddahs.aspx


http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/art.aspx


http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/zensymbols.aspx

http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/details.php?pid=11811&pname=Buddha


Melissa Shirley has a jolly Buddha canvas in two different sizes.  Kaffe Fasset has a somewhat similar Buddha in bright yellow and pastels charted in his Glorious Needlepoint.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?cat=27

http://www.infostitch.com/search/search.php?op=details&pid=160

HP Designs has several serene Buddhas in various sizes and styles.
http://annieandco.com/products/hp-designs-b141-13

http://www.hpneedlepoint.com/ASIAN6X6.html

Rosalyn has created a wonderful mandala design.  Read all about it here.
http://www.stitchamaze.com/gallery-orchestral/mandala.aspx

Counted thread fans can use charted mandalas on needlepoint canvas.  There are painted canvas mandalas, too.  The second link has them on 10 count canvas for those of us who want a large count.
https://www.cross-stitch-art.com/crossstitch3/SubjectListingsMandalas.htm

http://www.needlepointdesigningwoman.com/gallery.php

There's also a Shining Needle Society class on a mandala pattern but I am not sure if this class is for this year or was last year's.
http://www.stitchelegance.com/Stitch_Elegance/Stitch_Elegance.html

I've found a website that apparently will have spiritual needlepoint designs but it is under construction.
http://www.spiritualneedlepoint.com/

Relax.  Breathe.  Stretch.  Walk around and enjoy the day before you pick up a needle to meditate again.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com