| Let's face it, the stress of the packing, schlepping, | | | | a long flight, the hamstrings, hip flexors and back |
| waiting and hurrying involved in travel can bring on | | | | muscles tend to become tense and congested from |
| backaches, anxiety, and feelings of claustrophobia. On | | | | lack of movement. Try to squeeze in another runner's |
| a more serious level, health threats can include deep | | | | lunge or simple forward bend in the galleys on the way |
| vein thrombosis, the formation of blood clots in the legs | | | | to the onboard bathroom. The airline bathroom may be |
| due to lack of circulation and dehydration. So what's a | | | | small, but I have been known to do jumping jacks to |
| yogic traveler to do? Try these simple strategies and | | | | stir up my blood. I'll then carefully arrange my body into |
| easy yoga stretches to help shield you from the | | | | a few creative sidebending poses. And of course, |
| effects of stress and inactivity when you travel: | | | | throughout the flight, drink plenty of water. |
| Get there early so that you lower the risk (and | | | | When you've arrived at your destination, take time to |
| potential stress!) of missing your flight. Then, with your | | | | calm down your nervous system from all of the |
| extra time at the airport, you'll be able to indulge in | | | | stimulation. My favorite is the deeply tranquilizing and |
| some "pre-flight yoga." Find an un-crowded waiting | | | | yet very simple Veeparita Korani Mudra (Legs Up the |
| area and stretch. My favorites are basic shoulder | | | | Wall Pose). Lay on your back with your buttocks at |
| poses to help me unwind from carrying luggage, | | | | the wall and prop up your pelvis with a block. |
| standing one-legged balance poses to reset my core, | | | | Straighten your legs upright against the wall. Inhale |
| and a variety of runner's lunges using chairs for | | | | through your nose filling from belly to throat. Imagine |
| additional support. If you find yourself rushed or in a | | | | your breath is like a cascading waterfall as it fills from |
| panic with spiking anxiety, remind yourself that the only | | | | your belly to your heart, and finally pauses at the |
| thing you can control in this moment is your breathing. | | | | throat. Slowly exhale then repeat (5-10 minutes). |
| Don't punish yourself for getting hyped up; forgive | | | | Make sure to find or bring resources so you can |
| yourself (and the airlines) for losing control now and | | | | resume your yoga practice the next morning, whether |
| then! | | | | it's with a yoga DVD you packed, a live class you |
| Deep vein thrombosis is a concern when sitting for | | | | found in your destination city, or an online yoga class or |
| hours on end, so choose an aisle seat so that you can | | | | how-to video. You'll feel much more regulated, |
| walk along the aisle (carts permitting) and stretch your | | | | balanced and ready for your day. |
| legs to pump blood through your whole system. During | | | | |