Air travel has always been more near-claustrophobic an experience as any other kind of travel. No matter how long the flight, you’re forced to be at your seat and get cramped. There’s the in-flight entertainment to keep you occupied but it can only keep the attention by so much and for so long.
As any regular jetsetter will tell you, you have to keep moving so that the blood circulates. That means standing up and going to the john for any pretext, and to do in-seat anaerobic exercises. Now there’s another alternative. Or at least, an attempt at an alternative. Air Canada recently introduced yoga videos as part of the in-flight entertainment. The aim for this is mainly to inform the passengers about yoga which they can use both on and off the plane.
Though it’s not expected to make converts out of passengers, it will, at least be an eye-opener for yoga as a meditation and relaxation technique. The techniques used in the video could be done without a passenger moving out of his seat. Further, it could serve as an introduction to the benefits and practice of yoga.
The My Yoga Online programming block on Air Canada’s in-flight entertainment system offers travel focused practices for the passengers. It aims to be a relaxing alternative programming to the regular fare of movies and television shows.
Air travel has always been more stressful and anxiety filled than most other modes of travel, and this is one way of reaching out to people prone to such problems. My Yoga Online hopes to provide for a more positive flying experience, reducing stress and stiff muscles, clearing the mind via meditation and improving the individual’s physical and mental well-being.
Some of the program titles would be: “Aerosleep Medition”, hypnosis and meditation techniques for a deep relaxation conducive to sleep to reduce the effects of jet lag; “Seated Stretch and Restore Flow”, a stretching and relaxation program a passenger can follow while seated, this aims to improve circulation, enliven the body and helps prevent travel related ailmenst as Deep Vein Thrombosis; “Freedom From Flight Anxiety” which is a total freedom from stress program; and “The Secrets of Energy Management” which teaches techniques to encourage better energy flow and state of mind while traveling in a plane.
These are just some of the programs on My Yoga Online which will be included in Air Canada’s Health And Wellness channel on its In-Flight Entertainment System.
The passengers on a plane may be a captive audience for the videos, but it does give Air Canada depth of programming which is pro-passenger. It emphasizes the airlines focus on the passenger’s well being. These programs take advantage of the available space and the videos themselves show this.
The meditation and hypnosis techniques for relaxation would be a welcome tool for the regular traveller, and busy businessman. As it shows ways to relax practically anywhere. It also shows that yoga is more than just the stance and poses, but a complete meditation mindset.
