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In addition to learning about two of the leads in the CW's Body Politic, there's plenty of other casting news making me smile today, including:

• Ugly Betty's Ashley Jensen is jumping to the CBS comedy Accidentally on Purpose, which stars Jenna Elfman as a woman who finds herself suddenly pregnant after a fling with a younger man. Betty producer Silvio Horta confirmed that Jensen won't be a regular on the show next year but said she's still "a member of the Ugly Betty family" and could pop up from time to time.
• The ethereal Miranda Otto has been cast as one of the leads in A Marriage, a drama from the My So-Called Life creators about "a marriage that works." Bruce Greenwood will play her husband, with Kay Panabaker and Nick Eversman as their children.
• I was glad to see that Dirty Sexy Money's Zoe McLellan had landed a role in the political drama House Rules, but what's even crazier is who else has a role: Anna Chlumsky, the My Girl girl! McLellan plays a new congresswoman, while Chlumsky plays an aide to the speaker of the house.
• Skeet Ulrich is back on CBS in a pilot called, well, Back. He'll play the lead in the show, in which his character returns to the family that reported him missing after Sept. 11.

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Sick of just sitting on the couch? Looking to increase flexibility in your spine? Then try this move the next time you find yourself becoming one with your couch. It's a great stretch and it will help you with the yoga pose Scorpion, a variation of Forearm Stand. Doing this pose on a couch is similar to doing it on a ball, only easier. The couch allows you to do the pose without much arm strength or balance, and it feels more relaxing on a couch since the cushions are so supportive.

Here's how to get into the stretch:

• Maneuver your body so that your belly is on the seat of the couch with your thighs resting on the back of the couch.
• Use your hands to push your hips as close to the back of the couch as possible.
• Now bend your knees and bring your feet as close to your head as you can. Remember to keep your back muscles and glutes relaxed.
• Stay like this for as long as you want, breathing deeply and allowing gravity to pull your feet closer to your head.

Want to see how to make this stretch even more challenging? Then read more

This simple stretch can really help with lower-back pain as well as reduce tight muscles in your lower back (and hamstrings). If you ever do a tough session on a Roman Chair, you'll definitely want to stretch out your back. I like to call it the Fetal Position Stretch because you'll look like you're in the fetal position when you're in mid stretch. Here's how you do it:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent.
• Slowly hug your knees to your chest until you are in the fetal position.
• Hold for 30 seconds and repeat as needed.

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Oversize bags, purses, and gym bags can be convenient, but they're not good for your back, your shoulders, or your neck. O magazine loves to give tips on being both trendy and healthy. And what's more important than a woman's health and her purse?

Here are a few highlights on keeping your bag safe for your body:

• Your weight and your fate: (New York-based chiropractor) Isis M. Medina's rule is that you should tote no more than 10 percent of your body weight—so a bag that's more than five pounds when empty is a bad start. If your load is excessive, your head and neck jut forward rather than staying over your shoulders, which can lead to headaches, neck tension, and back pain.
• Getting a handle: Long-strapped shoulder bags are out: They tug you to one side in a C shape, with the purse bumping at your hip and the strap slipping (so you hunch up your shoulder to keep it in place). Avoid chains, too; they tend to gouge the flesh. Look for short handles, not too flimsy or narrow (with very skinny straps on a hefty bag, you're asking for trouble).
• No feed bags: Slouchy may be in, but Medina likes structure: When items shift around and aren't well distributed, your balance is thrown off. Even an oversize bag can work, the doctor assures us, if it's got a definite shape, a firm base, and inner compartments to keep belongings stable.
• Easy access: If you have to do a major dig to find your phone or comb, you're twisting and distorting your torso. You want possessions to be reachable yet secure—a long top zipper or magnetic closure helps; Medina also likes outside pockets for frequently needed essentials.

Fit's Tip: Check out the Puddle Jumper Bag for all your gym gear, it's one that I think Medina would approve.

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Doing stretches for your back not only feels good physically, but they are also energetically stimulating. Backbends open the muscles near your heart. This is the location of your 4th chakra which is associated with love and compassion. It allows us to feel peace and a sense of being centered.

Backbends also open your hips, where your 2nd chakra is located, which is associated with sex and creativity. This chakra is all about having a strong personal identity and the ability to accept change. Poses like Camel (Ustrasana in Sanskrit) are great if you are feeling lonely, sad, bored, or tired.

Backbending poses can feel really intense, so after you do one, it's great to do a forward bending counter pose like Child's Pose.

• Kneel at the front of your mat, keeping your knees under your hips (hip distance apart). Look back and make sure your shins, ankles and feet are parallel to each other.
• Put both hands on your hips, and gently arch back, just beginning to warm up your lower back and quads.
• When you're ready, reach your right hand down towards your right foot. If your back is less flexible, stay here for 5 breaths and then switch to the left side.
• If your back is feeling good, bring your left hand down, so that both hands are reaching for both feet. Stay here for 5 or more breaths, pressing your hips forward, and dropping your head to look behind you. Try to keep your knees under your hips (they tend to slide out wide).
• Come up slowly, sit on your heels, and lean forward into Child's Pose. You can do it with your hands by your feet, or stretch your arms out in front of you.
• Repeat this series (Camel to Child's Pose) a few times to give you energy and increase flexibility in your back, chest, hips and quads.

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Spinal twists feel incredible on your back. They help to lengthen your spine, and in doing so improve your posture and help you breathe more deeply. This pose is a great beginning yoga twist.

Sanskrit Name: Marichyasana C English Translation: A Pose dedicated to Marichi (a great sage and son of Brahma) Also Called: 1-Legged Seated Spinal Twist

Want to know how to get into it? Then read more

Looking for a way to beat the summer and workout at the same time? Well have you tried kayaking? I am not talking about white water river kayaking, but getting out on a lake, bay, or inlet for some paddling action.

If you live near water, or are planning to vacation near water, you should have an easy time finding a place that rents kayaks and all the associated gear. Or better yet, you can introduce yourself to kayaking on a guided nature tour. Do consider taking a lesson, to learn how to maneuver the boat as well as the very important skill - how to get in and out of your kayak while you're in the water. They are really easy to tip.

Chances are you will start off with a beginner kayak since they offer greater stability and are more difficult to tip over. If it's your first time, I recommend going out on a day that isn't too windy, so the water is less choppy.

What's so great about kayaking? To find out read more