While travel, in many cases, is seen as an opportunity to rest and recharge, it often has the opposite effect on the body—think long periods of sitting, unfamiliar cuisine, and changes to your sleep patterns. But with a wide array of physical and mental benefits, Kristine “Krissy” Jones, BS’11, says yoga can come to your rescue.
“When you’re traveling, [yoga] helps with jet lag, inflammation, digestive issues, and can even help you sleep,” Jones, a professional yoga instructor, says. “You want to flip the body upside down, twist the spine, and invert your legs to reduce [these] travel ailments.”
After graduating from IU, Jones traveled to New York City to pursue a career in dance, but it became clear that her true passion was yoga. In 2015, she co-founded SKY TING YOGA.
“I wanted to open a space that felt like home and offered a place for community in a city that can seem lonely. I wanted a space where teachers are valued and people [can] become friends,” Jones says.
In an effort to expand that community beyond SKY TING’s studio walls, Jones leads yoga retreats across the globe and her team recently launched SKY TING TV—a subscription-based streaming service that allows students to take classes from virtually anywhere.
For our readers, we asked the IU alum to a create a travel-sized yoga routine—a 10-minute mind and body reset that can be accomplished wherever your travels might take you.
1. Warm up the spine by alternating between Cat Pose (top) and Cow Pose (bottom). Repeat for 10 rounds.
Hotel hack: “Use a towel or rug for a mat,” suggests Jones.
2. Fold into Child’s Pose. Hold for five breaths.
3. Transition into Downward Facing Dog. Hold for five breaths.
4. Crawl your hands backwards to your feet, and relax into Forward Fold. Hold for five breaths.
5. Take a seat for Seated Spinal Twist. Hold for five breaths on each side.
6. Stretch into Pigeon Pose. Hold for 10 breaths on each side.
7. Grab a cushion or block for Supported Bridge Pose. Hold for 10 breaths.
Hotel hack: “People use platform shoes, small garbage cans, and books for blocks. You can use pillows for yoga bolsters,” says Jones.
8. Find a wall for Legs Up the Wall Pose. Hold for 20 breaths.
All illustrations by Brittany Olson
Want more information about IU Travels trips? Visit alumni.iu.edu/travel.
