Flying high with yoga
Every time she heads to O'Hare or Midway airports, Kelly Emme busts out her secret weapon.
While stuck breathing recycled air in a cramped plane seat, Emme presses play on her iPod, then draws out her yoga training.
Emme, an instructor and co-owner of Universal Spirit yoga in Naperville, says in-flight exercises are key stress busters. And with suburban residents heading all over the world for the holidays, now is the time to learn, says Emme, who notes that movement can head off the threat of blood clots in the legs, or deep vein thrombosis, during flights.
"There's so much in the news right now with blood clots and (yoga) would keep your circulation moving freely, which is the best health benefit," Emme says.
"And while the poses will make you feel better. breathing techniques would certainly help with the anxiety of flying," she says.
Not into sun salutations and tree poses? Don't stress. (There's already enough of that with flying.)
Airplane yoga, which has been around for several years and inspired books like the aptly titled "Airplane Yoga," is based on simple moves that can be done discreetly.
Emme says yoga poses -- like arm raises or standing on tip toes while waiting for the bathroom -- often look like untrained stretches.
"Your seatmate next to you would not know what you are doing," she says.
And in case of weather delays, missed connections or irritating passengers, Emme suggests holiday travelers download a few meditations onto their MP3 players, too. (She loves anything by Max Strom.)
"That's a wonderful way to get you out of your seat mentally and get you into your relaxed place," says Emme.
To take your in-flight Zen even further into bliss, try dabbing essential oils onto a tissue or handkerchief and breathe deep during your trip.
Clients at Universal Spirit often use lavender for anxiety or peppermint for nausea.
So skip the travel aggravation and try these poses to keep you sane in the friendly skies.
Get more info
www.aviation-health.com and search for "yoga"
www.airplaneyoga.com
www.stretch.com
www.universalspirityoga.com
www.maxstrom.com