Wakeup Workout: Commuter Yoga Any NYer Can Do

Commuting in New York City can be stressful, but there are easy ways to bring instant calm no matter what method of transportation you may use. Paula Lynch of YogaWorks was here to show us:

• The Subway
Ankle-to-knee (hip opener), Gomukasana bottom arm (stretches shoulders and opens chest), Tadasana (grounding, balance), Tree Pose variation (challenges balance, steadying)

• The Bus
Garudasana Arms (stretches shoulders & upper back), Ankle-to-knee (hip opener)

• Walking:
Walking Meditation (matching breath with footsteps), lateral stretch (side bending)

• Taxi:
Seated twist, Garudasana Arms (stretches shoulders & upper back), Ankle-to-knee (hip opener), Gomukasana Arms (stretches shoulders, opens chest)

• Bike:
Parsvottanasana (stretches calves, hamstrings), urdhva Badanguliasana (stretches lats, arms, hands), forearm stretch (stretches fingers, palms, forearms)

Lynch told us that in virtually every commute situation, in any vehicle or place you can always practice patience, detachment and loving-kindness. Breath control is the primary method of calming and focusing the body-mind complex. Practicing yoga regularly will also help bring more calm to your everyday life. YogaWorks has five studios throughout New York City, including a gorgeous new space in SoHo.

Visit www.yogaworks.com for more information and class schedules.