Airplane Yoga

Airplane Yoga

 

For the reader (that’s you), it must be difficult to picture this six foot two inch huge guy performing yoga in a middle seat on Southwest Airlines.  Although I won’t be doing downward dog, I’m here to tell you that certain yoga techniques are valid..

 

Breathing:  This is a great way to feel refreshed and tune out the mindless  chatter of fellow travelers and airplane noise.  Focus on breath or the steady hum of jet engines helps create a mindful state.   Just don’t try lions breath exercises in your seat.  Otherwise you might be hit with the on board defibrillator by one of the flight attendants.

 

Sitting tall:  straight back and imagine you are bringing your crown higher and higher with each exhale.  Each vertebrae is extended until you visualize your  head touching the top of the fuselage.  Keep your seatbelt fastened as levitation May be possible.

 

Calf and shin stretches: while seated and not levitating. Place your feet firmly on the floor.  Slowly activate your foot stretching your calves.  Then alternate between heels and toes.  Breathe through it.

 

Core engagement: while seated activate your core.  Lift the pelvic floor and pull your navel toward your spine.

 

Shoulder shrugs:  you might want to warn your seat mates of this one. You don’t want to be met by security on the ground when you land.   Breathe in and lift your shoulders up releasing them on the exhale.  Engage your core.

 

Finger exercises:  touch your fingers one at a time starting at the index and moving to the pinky.  If you want to tease your brain, alternate in opposite directions.  Not only is this good for the mind, but you will impress your fellow passengers 

 

Eye exercises:  also worth a word with your seat mates so they don’t think you are having a seizure.  Sitting tall and without moving your head, slowly move your eyes up and down, then left and right, focus on the bridge, third eye, clockwise then counterclockwise. 

 

Heat tilt:  sitting tall bring your head to the left, then 45 degrees down, then to the chest.  Alternative to the right side. 

 

Head range of motion:  by now you have your fellow passengers  squirming in their seats.  So a fully left then right range of motion while looking directly at them will cause your seat mates to get nervous and change seats.  Although you might be labeled as crazy, at least you will have the entire row to yourself.

 

Neck flexion:  press the palm of your hand to the side of your head flexing the opposite neck muscle.  Keep your elbows forward though.  Unless by now you are seated alone in the row in which case elbows to the side is acceptable

 

Palm stretches:  carefully raise arms overhead.  Fingers wide, press your palms against the overhead compartment allow our palms to stretch.  Caution!  Excess force may cause deployment of your oxygen and subsequent ejection from the aircraft by the flight crew

 

Once you get back to the waiting area, find a quiet spot and  do a couple cat cows and downward dogs.  Just make sure security is not watching.

 

Thank you for flying Sky-Yoga.  Have a great flight