Exercises of the Week - Sun Salutations and Corpse Pose

Having just gotten back from vacation, my body is still in another time zone and my mind is...far, far away. Making the transition from vacation back to reality is hard enough without adding jet lag to the mix and, after a long flight crossing several time zones, my body feels like it's been beat like a borrowed mule, as my grandma says. It's tempting to jump back into the full routine after a trip, but you may find that working out the kinks is a great way to ease back into real life.

Today, I'm highlighting two moves that are perfect for warming up the body and resting the mind. I plan on doing the corpse pose all day long.

Sun Salutation: Begin in a standing position and exhale as you sweep the arms up and overhead. Exhale and engage the abs as you tip from the hips and lower into a Forward Bend, with hands on the floor or feet. Inhale and come up until the back is flat and exhale into forward bend. Inhale and come back up, sweeping the arms overhead until palms touch. Repeat the series 4 to 8 times.

Corpse Pose: Lie down with your legs extended and arms a comfortable distance from the body, palms up. Let your feet flop out and relax your fingers. Close your eyes and relax the muscles round each eye as you breath deeply. Starting at your feet, consciously relax each part of your body, letting all your tension go as you breathe. Stay here as long as you can.

For more, check out this Morning & Evening Yoga and our Yoga Site