Ever had the jetlag from hell? When every muscle in your body feels as if they’ve never been used? When running 2K feels like hiking the Mount Everest? When your brain is set to slow motion with the memory of a goldfish?

I have.

In fact, I am experiencing one right now. I am in a constant slumber> I have no idea what time it is, and all I want to do is Zzzzzzzz.

Unfortunately, I have certain obligations (a class of very eager high school kids dying to conjugate French verbs and a class of yoga students expecting me to actually be able to do the poses that I teach) preventing me from joining the slumber party on the picture for a prolonged, midday nap.

And as a result, I have done what most yogis in a similar situation would do: yoga. After some serious yoga-poses-for-jet-lag- researching and some even more serious practicing, I have concluded that the following 3 poses are super duper remedies for a jet lagged body:

 1. Sun Salutes Baby!

Do not underestimate the benefits of this delicious, classical asana sequence. Designed to warm up the body, it’s performed dynamically by using the breath as an engine. After a long plane ride spent mostly seated, it awakens dormant muscles, stimulates your blood circulation and reduces that all-too-familiar jet lag sluggishness. It’s energizing, it’s lovely and in case you get bored there are 12 different variations to choose from!

2. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana)

After being seated in a cramped airplane seat for hours, the back and hips may feel like tree trunks. Seated forward bend will release all of the back muscles and stimulate circulation in the abdominal and pelvic area. Additionally, when bending forward you put pressure on the hip flexors, aiding to warm these up as well. Make sure to stay in the pose  for some time though, preferably five minutes, as it takes time for a stiff body to adjust to a forward bend…

3. Do that twist with Half Lord of the Fish Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

This pose is excellent to rejuvenate the spine and get your digestive system back in order. Constipation is often a well-known phenomenon for travelers and a twist may cure this as it stimulates the large and small intestines as well as the liver. It also stretches your outer hips and buttocks and brings mobility back to your shoulders and upper back.

I absolutely love this pose. I  love it so much that I found a spot behind some chairs by the restrooms in the plane where I could do it in secret on my last journey (obviously, it didn’t prevent the jet lag but it did loosen up stiff limbs during the flight).

Katinka is an adventure-seeking, wine-loving yogini with a passion for the unknown. Her curiosity has led her into many peculiar situations, from having tea with Sudanese ministers and roadtripping through India’s heartland searching for guerrilla soldiers to crossing the Alps on skis. She loves contrasts, which is why you find a mix of high heels, climbing shoes, cowboyhats and yogamats in her closet, and she strongly believes it enriches her life. When she is not in the classroom teaching French, you will find her climbing a mountain, working on her handstand or under a blanket reading while sipping a tempered Côte de Rhône. Get in touch with her by e-mail or Facebook.

 

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Ed: Kate Bartolotta