Healthy Flying: Yoga For Mid-Air Stress Reduction - My Family Travels
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Plane yoga? Be conscious of your body during air travel and keep comfortable while cramped in a seat high above the earth with these therapeutic exercise tips.

We all know that statistically, air travel is the safest way to get from one location to another. But even on the most uneventful of flights, cramped cabin space (for those of us who can’t afford first class) and stale, recirculated air can do some damage to the body, even in children. Joints and muscles can stiffen in no time, and heart rates can creep up due to that ever-present symptom of traveling: stress. Total Health Magazine has come up with a few tips to keep travelers of any age comfortable and somewhat sane while in the air. Just make sure you have enough moving space.

Keep Moving

To ease muscle and joint pain, exercise lightly before and just after your flight; a brisk walk through the terminal will do the trick. During the flight, do contractions of various muscles, like your arms, legs, stomach, and buttocks.

  • Tighten and hold the muscles in each area for a few seconds, release, and repeat a number of times. This gets blood flowing and prevents minor swelling.
  • While standing (when the seatbelt sign is turned off, of course) stretch your legs as if you were preparing for a jog. Grab one foot from behind your back, and pull your heel up toward your buttocks. Repeat on the other side.
  • Make circles clockwise and counterclockwise with your feet to keep your ankles loose and stimulate circulation in the feet.

Stay Still

Beat stress above the earth by practicing some simple Yoga techniques while sitting in your seat.

  • To start, place the left ankle on the right knee. Inhale deeply and straighten your back. Exhale and lean forward, chest-first, all the while keeping the back straight. Breathe deeply for 10 seconds or so, and then repeat on the other side. I know what you’re thinking; “That would look ridiculous in the middle of a plane!” Well, maybe you’re right. But if it works, who cares?
  • Another effective technique is to cross the right knee over the left, place the left hand on the right knee, and place the right hand on the seat. Exhale, twist to the right, and look over your shoulder. Breathe deeply for a while, then gently release, and, of course, repeat on the other side.

If you get a strange look or two, share these hot tips with those around you. Perhaps by the time you land, the whole cabin will be serenely engaged in relaxing and healthful exercise!

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1 Reply to “Healthy Flying: Yoga For Mid-Air Stress Reduction”

  • Cute. Made me hungry. Have you gone back since?

  • SAMUEL TSHEPISO

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  • rey

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  • Congratulations on your son's upcoming graduation!

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  • Angela, you can read more about the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative at this link:
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    According to the WHTI website, you are required to obtain parents' permission, and we quote from them:

    Groups of Children:
    Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Naturalization Certificate, or a Canadian Citizenship Card.

    The group should be prepared to present a letter on organizational letterhead with the following information:

    * The name of the group and supervising adult,
    * A list of the children on the trip, and the primary address, phone number, date of birth, place of birth, and name of at least one parent or legal guardian for each child,
    * A written and signed statement of the supervising adult certifying that he or she has obtained parental or legal guardian consent for each participating child.

  • mrochelle

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    Thank you very much,

    Regards,

    Guille

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  • Matt

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    Would visiting this resort cost me a lot?

  • daddycool

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  • our senior group from penn estates would like info on a day trip to your facility as we have in the past. please forward info price etc for us to plan and open dates

  • anonymous

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  • Dorothy Hansford

    Please confirm my reservation for Aug 23 in the name of Hansford and Bortels. My question is: is the dining casual as in shorts and sandals? Thank you, and again please confirm my reservation.

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  • Susan Horowitz

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  • Miriam Messinger

    Hilarious review. I'm not sure I would go but your honest review makes it almost tempting.

  • This place sounds just great. We had a similarly cultural and fun weekend at Kutscher's in the Catskills and perhaps some of their guests go to the Doral Arrowwood on alternate weekends!

    Thanks for sharing what sounds like a great cheap family vacation.

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  • Nice article…I appreciate the effort for posting this…

  • In my experience, babies usually like the sound and smell of someone they miss, and may stop crying.

    maybe your partner can make a tape/phone message of their voice, and leave behind some clothes, like pajamas, that they might feed the baby in. Having that to offer the baby might comfort her.

    Another option is giving baby something warm and moving, like the feeling of being rocked in someone's arms. our son loved being wrapped in a blanket and held on top of the clothes dryer (turned on low), which moved a bit, made some sounds, and seemed to help him stop crying.

    Otherwise, just wait. It is sure to pass.

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  • MEHDI HASSAN

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  • Funny. I enjoyed the bit about Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, etc.

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    I am also curious: what writing program were you on?