Air-Born Yoga

Air-Born Yoga: SELF.com

This year, I was lucky enough to ring in the new decade with an escape to sunny Miami. Despite the unusually cold weather (the forecast "arctic chill" was thrown around), it was a fantastic trip filled with fabulous food and eventful nights out. But there was one glitch in my Floridian get-away: The flight. Specifically, the lack of leg room (and arm room. And breathing room...) leaving me stir crazy and sore. To avoid this situation in the future, I reached out to Crunch yoga instructor Jess Gronholm to create an airplane-friendly routine to promote circulation and erase cramping...

For an Aching Back: Seated Cat-Cow

Sit tall in seat, placing hands on edge of armrest. Inhale and look up while arching your back. Exhale and turn gaze downward touching chin to chest, rounding out your back. Repeat 5-8 times.

For Cramped Shoulders: Seated Eagle-arm Shoulder Stretch

Intertwine arms, right under left, clasping hands together. Inhale and lift elbows up to the ceiling. Exhale and draw elbows back down toward your lap. Repeat 5-8 times, and switch arms.

To Increase Circulation: Seated Spinal Twist

Sit tall with thighs and knees together. Place right palm on outside of the left knee, resting left hand and forearm on armrest. Grow taller with the inhale, then twist to the left with the exhale. Repeat 5-8 times and then switch to right side.

...Voila! So-long muscle cramps!

--Kaitie Ames

SELF Gossip Roundup

SELF Gossip Roundup: SELF.com

Our weekly recap of the SELFiest gossip out there! In today's roundup, late night resolutions, unfortunate photography and hope for Haiti...

Peace out, Conan! The biggest late-night scandal since crowning Leno as Johnny Carson's replacement over Letterman back in 1992 (man, Leno really is always in the center of drama, isn't he?) has finally come to an end--after refusing to push his show back 30 minutes, Conan will be leaving The Tonight Show (for a hefty $45 million pay-out), and Leno will be restored to his original role. Conan's last show will be airing tonight, but as for his fate post-NBC? It's uncertain for now, but rumor has it he could be heading to FOX come September.

Somebody needs to hire Chris Brown a new publicist. In what is probably the most unfortunate photograph ever, the popstar posed with a made-up Jean Paul Gaultier, whose face was covered in fake blood and bruises. Too reminiscent of what he did to poor RiRi!

Tonight at 8 p.m., your television will be taken over--for a great cause. The Hope for Haiti telethon is airing on every major network you can think of, jam-packed with star performances special guest appearances. One celeb who (unsurprisingly) won't be in attendance? Kanye. Though rumors were circulating that West was banned from the event, it's been confirmed that he was invited, but due to scheduling difficulties is unable to make it. Maybe so, but it would be a shocker to see him at: A) a nationally televised telethon after his Katrina debacle, and B) the same event as Taylor Swift.

The one-time princess of The OC, Mischa Barton, seems to be spiraling farther and farther down (getting killed off such a hot show couldn't have panned out well!). First came her psych-ward stint, and now actress is being sued for failure to pay rent! C'mon, Marissa, surely OC DVD sales pocketed enough cash to pay for your pad?

It's the end of an era. Last night marked the season finale of the pop-culture phenomenon The Jersey Shore, and the reunion did not come without major dramz--after screening secret footage, Ronnie and Sammi broke up on MTV's stage. But never fear, the Jersey duo is still back together and going strong. To relieve the hilarity of this season, check out the Late Late Show's spoof, starring Mila Kunis and Nick Lachey.

What stories have caught your eyes and ears this week?

Help for Haiti: Bid on Jillian Michaels's Motorcycle

Help for Haiti: Bid on Jillian Michaels's Motorcycle: SELF.com

As of today, Jillian Michaels's Yamaha FZ1 motorcycle from Season 4 of NBC's The Biggest Loser is up for auction on eBay. But this is no ordinary auction--100% of the proceeds will go the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund...

Upon hearing of the tragic Haitian earthquake, the SELFy star knew she needed to help, and encourage others to do the same: "The current destruction in Haiti is devastating. Haiti holds a special place in my heart and I knew that I had to do something to help. I hope that the money raised from the auction of my bike will provide some relief to those suffering."

In a letter posted on her auction page, Jillian recounts her experiences in Haiti:

"When I was 28 years old and at a major cross roads in my life something in my heart called me to Haiti. I was soul searching, lost, confused, looking for direction. I was in Haiti for roughly 3 weeks. I traveled the entire country from Cap-Haitien through Port-Au-Prince down to Jacmel. I went there not knowing what to expect and even slightly scared for my well being. What I found was shocking. The people were the most kind, loving, open and generous souls I had ever met. Even with nothing, living in shanties, they would literally give you the shirts off their backs. They brought me into their homes. Fed me soup. Shared their stories and their culture. Showed me the true potential of the human spirit. They showed me how to cultivate the fabric of resilience, and gave me an overall perspective on life that changed me forever."

To place a bid on the famous motorcycle, view photographs Jillian's trip to Haiti, and read the rest of the fitness guru's heartfelt letter, head over to eBay, and for more ways to help, visit our SELFy Stars blog.

--Kaitie Ames

3-Minute Stress Solution: De-cramp those texting hands!

3-Minute Stress Solution: De-cramp those texting hands!: SELF.com

Calling all text-a-holics: As convenient as your berry may be, typing away 24/7 can lead to seriously cramped thumbs. Add that onto clicking a mouse all day and you've got yourself a recipe for pain. It's time to drop those devices, relax your hands and tone your arms (all in only 3-minutes!) with celebrity Pilates instructor Jillian Hessel...

For more exercises like this, check out Jillian Hessel's HomeBody ($16.99) a dance/yoga/pilates fusion workout DVD that can be done in the comfort of your living room using just a yoga mat, chair and soup cans, available on Amazon.com.

--Kaitie Ames

SELF Gossip Roundup

SELF Gossip Roundup: SELF.com

Our weekly recap of the SELFiest gossip out there! In today's roundup, celebs stands up for Haiti, late night TV goes to war and plastic surgery goes too far...

It's been a crazy week in the world of talk-show TV. After the shocking rumors of an NBC late-night shakeup, reinstating Leno to his old 11:35 slot, pushing back Conan and Fallon's shows, Conan penned a letter to the "People of Earth," clearly stating his refusal to push back his show. Conan isn't alone in his contempt; some stars are slamming Leno, while his late-night counterpoints are fearlessly grilling him to his face, such as Jimmy Kimmel. Although NBC has yet to give an official statement of what will be done, there are rumors circulating that Conan's final bow will be on January 22nd.

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, SELFy stars like Natalie Portman, Brangelina and George Clooney are rallying to help the victims of the natural disaster. Even Tiger Woods has come out of hiding to support this cause. But Gossip Girl's Taylor Momsen seems to be too busy to help, telling OK!, "Um, right now I'm trying to just finish my record and getting through the last season of Gossip Girl for right now. So not so much thinking about that."

After years of rumors, Simon Cowell has officially announced his departure fromAmerican Idol at the end of this season. The British judge is moving on to launchhis European hit X Factor here in the states. While the fate of a Simon-lessAmerican Idol remains to be seen, judge Kara DioGuardi tells SELF, "We're all sad about it. He is just so great on the show."

It's finally been done--homely British phenomenon Susan Boyle has been dethroned from the #1 spot on the charts by newcomer Ke$ha. The controversial popstar, considered by some to be the Lady Gaga of 2010, seems to be rising to stardom quickly, but only time will tell if she has staying power.

And in shocking news, Heidi Montag appeared on the cover of People magazine to unveil her new body--10 plastic surgeries later. All of which she received in one day. Hills co-star Audrina Patridge admits, "Ten procedures in one day is a little much," while Jayde Nicole comments, "She was genuinely pretty already, so I don't know why she would want to change herself more."

What stories have caught your eyes and ears this week?

The Caveman Diet

The Caveman Diet: SELF.com

There's a new fad diet out there, and it isn't low-cal, vegan or pre-packaged. This fad diet is much older than any of those out there--it's prehistoric, literally. And it may be the craziest diet I've ever heard of...

It's the Paleo Diet, more commonly known as the Caveman Diet, and when I came across the New York Times article "The New Age Caveman and the City" yesterday, I was amazed at what I read.

The writer interviews John Durant, a self-proclaimed modern-day caveman, and the article opens with the following dilemma:

"Like many New York bachelors, John Durant tries to keep his apartment presentable - just in case he should ever bring home a future Mrs. Durant.... The one thing that Mr. Durant worries might spook a female guest is his most recent purchase: a three-foot-tall refrigerated meat locker that sits in a corner of his living room."

Um, ew. Cannibal much? It would most definitely weird me out to find a meat locker in my date's living room. But to each his own.

The idea behind the Paleo Diet is to revert back to the caveman's arguably healthier physical state of being. The diet consists solely of foods that would have been around back then (think red meat, fish and berries); no bread or anything processed. Doesn't sound too bizarre. But here comes the catch...

In addition to eating the diet of a caveman, you're supposed to eat on the caveman's schedule. Cavemen were hunters and gatherers, sometimes going for days without eating, so the Paleo Diet follower will eat a large meal, and then fast to "to approximate the lean times that his distant ancestors faced between hunt." Some super-hardcore followers will fast for up to 24 hours and then hit the gym for an intense workout to reap the physical benefits of hunting.

Hey, cavemen may have been stronger and healthier, but they were lucky to live until 30 years old. Something to think about before investing in a meat locker...

--Kaitie Ames

6 Ways to Destress at Your Desk!

6 Ways to Destress at Your Desk!: SELF.com

Muscle cramps, soreness and carpal tunnel syndrome. Ah, the (not so) lovely side effects of a desk job. The solution? A relaxing (and discreet!) mini-yoga routine at your desk to unwind physically and mentally. Yesterday, FILA celebrity yoga guru Kristin McGee stopped by to show us a 6-move destress-at-your-desk routine that will leave you relaxed and renewed to tackle the rest of your busy day...

--Kaitie Ames

SELF Gossip Roundup

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Sneak Peek: Leap Year

Sneak Peek: emLeap Year/em: SELF.com

Sexy men with foreign accents? Check. The charm and wit of the lovely Amy Adams? Check. A happy ending you can't help but smile over in spite of its predictability? Check. If you love love stories, Leap Year is a must-see.

After dating Jeremy (Adam Scott) for a few years with no engagement in sight, straight-laced Anna (Amy Adams) decides to takes matters into her own hands and, in true Irish traidition, fly to Dublin to propose to her boyfriend on leap day. But Anna's trip doesn't go quite as smoothly as she'd hoped. Peppered with a series of seriously unfortunate roadblocks, including cancelled flights, sunken cars and missed trains, Anna ends up trekking across Ireland with local bartender Declan (Matthew Goode), and on the way learns to find love in the most unexpected of places.

All in all, Leap Year is a super-cute romantic flick with, albeit a slightly predictable series of events, a number of laugh-out-loud moments and incredibly heartwarming ending that is sure to please (and leave you itching to jump on a plane to go abroad and nab yourself a sexy, soul-mate Irishman!). I'm a real sucker for love stories and this one's ending left me nothing short of giddy while walking out of the theatre, so all you chick-flickers out there, head out to theatres to see Leap Year on February 8th!