I've suggested ways to reduce the stress of travel before, including yoga poses you can do on the plane and at the airport, and now if your travel plans include San Francisco, you can do your asanas in a special yoga room. MSNBC reports that San Francisco International Airport opened the first airport yoga room today, which, now that it's been done, seems like a total no-brainer. It's reported that mats are provided, but considering that I don't even like to touch doorknobs at the airport, I'd think twice before using a communal yoga mat there. If you need a travel mat, check out the Kulae tpECOmat, which is really thin and lightweight. Here's hoping saner travels ensue!

While you're in janu sirsasana, which I'm sure you have been since I suggested it on Monday, you might as well try out the revolved version of the pose as well: parivrtta janu sirsasana. The biggest issue I often see with this pose is that people love to try to grab their big toe with the raised arm. And if the time is right, that can serve as a way to deepen the twist. But too often it actually has the opposite effect, forcing the chest to turn down instead of up. Try it both ways and honestly appraise which is more effective.

I really enjoy some janu sirsasana, particularly as opposed to paschimottanasana. Focusing on forward bending over each leg individually allows me to feel a deeper stretch than when bending over both legs at the same time. Try to keep your extended leg active by flexing that foot the whole time.

I don't think I'm going to surprise anyone by saying that yoga asana is not a quick-fix weight loss solution. For one thing, there are all different kinds of yoga, varying from seated meditation to gentle stretching to intense workout. But I absolutely believe that yoga can play an important role in a weight-loss strategy when combined with calorie counting and regular aerobic exercise. Yoga has a way of promoting a mindset where you want to feel healthier and of improving your body image. Read more...