I'm going with a yule themed pose on this Christmas week: knee to ankle is also called firelog pose because the legs should look like neatly stacked logs. I've also heard this pose called double pigeon and, on occasion, heard a few curse words thrown out as the hips open and knees settle into place. Happy Holidays!

What I like about most of these yoga mat bags is that they are not your typical mat-shaped tube (though you can find that here too, if that's your style), nor do they look like sporty gym bags (ditto). My favorites are stylish, functional, everyday bags that are enhanced with handy straps for carrying your mat on the days you need it. Any one of these would make a great gift for the yogini fashionista in your life.

Dear Aunt Yoga,

I go to my yoga class at least three times a week. Unfortunately, I've caught a cold with a cough that's lasted about a week. To be on the safe side, I haven't gone to any yoga. Do I have to wait until my cough is completely gone or can I continue to go to my classes?

Aunt Yoga's Reply

Today is the 91st birthday of renowned yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar. To find out more about this living yoga legend, read up on Iyengar yoga and his books Light on Yoga and Light on Life. You can also see an interview with Mr. Iyengar in the recent yoga documentary Enlighten Up!.