The festive season is here and many of us will be heading home for the celebrations. Often the flying time is a good seven-eight hours, if not more, and we rarely find rest on board. However, you can utilise this time in a way which can lead you to feeling refreshed and energetic.
In the days before the break, we rarely move our bodies, trying to finish work before we leave. We sit on a chair in front of a computer or may be constantly thinking about something — the mind goes on chattering without a break. That leaves our muscles in a frozen state and the joints get stiff. The breath gets shallow. The neck is tight. Blood circulation is low. You drink less water and get dehydrated. You eat junk food. The list goes on.
So this trip may be just the one to break this vicious cycle and get back on track.
Yoga is all about bringing more oxygen into the body, loosening up the joints and increasing blood flow.
Always make it a point to follow these simple tips and do the following exercises. It may take just a few minutes but if you can do this every two-three hours in the area of the flight which has some space, you can actually get some rest and wake up with a fresh feeling.
Here are a few tips to follow:
- Drink lots of water.
- Eat what you need. Just because they serve you a tray of food doesn't mean you have to eat everything. Instead of snacking on chips, have an apple.
- Watch a movie or a show, but avoid watching three movies during one flight. You will strain your eyes and feel tired.
- Constantly stretch your hands and feet up and down as blood stops flowing to your extremities whenever you sit down for long stretches of time.
- Don't sleep immediately after a meal. Take a walk through the cabin.
- Instead of aerated drinks, have water or juices.
- Do neck rotations every hour; the neck gets stiff easily.
Take a look at some other postures you can practise easily if there's a little bit of space available.
Dwikonasana (Shoulder stretch)
Stretch hands behind you and clasp them moving them up and moving your shoulder blades together. Keep head backwards. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat three times
Padahastasana (Forward bend)
Stand straight and bend forward hanging your upper body while keeping hands near toes. Relax your back, come up and repeat three times exhaling each time you bend downwards.
Ardhachakrasana (Side stretch)
Stand straight, and bring hands above head. Now bend sideways to one side. Hold for a few seconds and come up. Repeat on the other side. Repeat this cycle three times, exhaling each time you bend.
Sahaj Pranayam (Easy breath)
Sit with back straight — whether in the car or aircraft seat — and take in a deep breath. Hold for five seconds and exhale to a count of ten seconds. Repeat this for one-ten minutes and close eyes for a few more minutes after you finish.
Tadasana
Stretch hands above your head, interlock and pull upwards, stretching the spine. Hold for a few seconds and repeat three times.
Bharat Thakur guides you through practices that will connect you to the wisdom of the ancient Indian science of exercising.
