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Many military families travel during the holidays.  You might be PCSing, visiting family, or vacationing.  Did you know there are things you can do to stay healthy before, during, and after your flight?  The following infographic is jam-packed with helpful tips that you can incorporate into your travel plans so you can feel your best for your adventures.

One of the tips is to do some yoga or gentle stretches every 30 minutes during the flight to decrease the chances of getting blood clots and muscle cramps.

Kimberly demonstrates the version of Prasarita Padottanasana stretch.

Kimberly demonstrates the version of Prasarita Padottanasana stretch.

My favorite yoga pose to do during a flight or long road trip is a version of Prasarita Padottanasana, wide-legged standing forward bend.   The traveling variation is less intense than you would find in the middle of a yoga class because you’re not warmed up and a lot of sitting can tend to tighten everything up.  Here are the steps:

  1. Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-distance apart.

  2. Clasp your hands behind your back, pressing the palms together. If this is not possible, use a scarf, towel, or belt to extend your reach.

  3. Inhale, looking up, squeezing the shoulder blades together and opening the chest.

  4. Exhale, folding forward, reaching the head toward the ground and stretching the clasped hands toward the sky.

  5. Take several breaths, releasing the back, hamstrings, and shoulders.

  6. Repeat frequently.

  

Infographic by Greatist.com.

What is your favorite strategy to staying healthy and feeling great while traveling?