My entry back into the outdoors after class was seamless. I felt refreshed and for the first time on that trip didn't moan about the heat: instead, I noticed birds chirping and a peaceful stillness in the desert.

I think it might have to do with the yoga --and that I slowed down.

Almost instinctively, I put my yoga practice to use during my next trip. Arriving in Lisbon, Portugal, after being awake for 24 hours, and with just a few hours to spare before my first appointment, I sat cross-legged on the floor in my hotel room. (And if you've stayed in a European hotel room, you know it's not easy to find that space!) I began with deep yoga breaths (inhaling and exhaling with no rush). After a few minutes I flowed into a Mountain pose (standing with your feet hip's-width apart, back straight and arms at your side) to Plank pose (the "up" in a push-up position) to Downward Facing Dog. While I wanted to crawl under the covers or draw a hot bath, I didn't. Energy flowed through my body -- just enough for me to appreciate a bus tour of the city before going to bed early that evening.

What do you do to relax and slow down when arriving in a new city?