Travel yoga: Loosen up and oil up your whole body

How your body handles traveling depends on many factors: your mode of transportation, how well you can sleep in a new place, what kind of activities you engage in, and so on. The aftermath of all these things seems to settle in our backs, necks, and hips. That is why it is useful to have a handy yoga practice that reliably releases tension in all those areas and oils up the entire body.

Below is my go-to travel yoga practice, which I usually use to keep my body happy while traveling. It is based on the assumption that you have woken up stiff all over, so it starts slow and then gradually loosens up your neck, upper back, lower back, and hips. Be sure to maintain a nice, steady breathing practice throughout the practice; it is just as important for your body’s health and well-being as movement. Several poses in this practice can be done on your hands and knees or in standing; choose an option that is most appropriate for your situation. I usually travel with my folding yoga mat (it serves as a perfect cushy case for my laptop), but you can use any large towel for the first part of the practice. The second part is done fully in standing. It’s best to do this practice by a bed or a couch, as they can become handy props.

This practice can also be used after sitting at the computer for a while or anytime you need to loosen up your whole body. Please give it a try and see how it feels!