Gatwick Airport's New Yoga Lounge Hopes To Help Nervous Fliers Relax And Unwind
Introducing 'Floga', Gatwick Airport's Pre-Flight Yoga Class
Brogan Driscoll— The Huffington Post UK
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Whether you're a nervous flier or dreading being cramped on a long-haul flight, airport yoga may be just the ticket.
That's why Gatwick Airport have launched 'floga' (a fusion of the words flight and yoga, geddit?) in a bid to help passengers de-stress before take-off.
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The 20-minute class, which has been created by yoga instructor and Instagram star Shona Vertue, will be shown via video in a brand-spanking yoga room in the airport's South Terminal.
"Long flights can be uncomfortable and besides stretching in your seat and walking up and down the aisle, there's actually not a lot you can do," Vertue says in a promotional video.
"This 'floga' sequence will help prepare your body and mind for your flight."
The class, which lasts 20 minutes, is free to use and is stocked with yoga mats.
Gatwick’s Head of Terminals and Passenger Services Nikki Barton said: "We’re thrilled to be opening a ‘Floga’ lounge here at Gatwick. It’s important to us that passengers have the best airport experience possible and this will be a great way to help individuals de-stress and unwind before a flight.
"The lounge is built for all to enjoy and we’re so excited to see members of the public use this fantastic facility”.
Travel Medicine expert at the Fleet Street Clinic Dr Richard Dawood said: "Modern air travel can be a stressful process, both mentally and physically. Passengers often feel tense when trying to make their flight on time and checking they have everything they need.
"With more and more people travelling with heavy hand-luggage, the physical strain can also be considerable. We have also seen an increase in long-haul flights from airports like Gatwick, so a higher volume of passengers are likely to have their movement restricted for hours on end.
"A yoga work-out before boarding a flight will help passengers relax their minds and their bodies, turning what can be a stressful experience into a more enjoyable and relaxing one."
Gatwick isn't the first airport to introduce a yoga lounge. San Francisco Airport also features one and, according to The Evening Standard, was the inspiration for Gatwick's new opening.
10 Of The Best Yoga Poses For Sleep
Easy Forward Bend (variation of Sukhasana)(01 of10)
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The easy forward bend pose is accessible even to beginners, and it's a great one to try before bedtime. If you're tight in the hips, Bielkus advises sitting on top of a pillow to make the pose a bit more relaxing.
"This one is good for sleep," says Bielkus. "It also eases tension and lets the hips open up, and just creates an overall sense of ease in the body." (credit:Alamy)
Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)(02 of10)
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To perform this pose, stand with the feet about six inches apart and fold the torso to the ground, reaching toward the ground or bending the arms and grabbing opposite hand to opposite elbow. In addition to helping to relieve headaches and insomnia, the pose can also be helpful for lowering stress levels, according to Yoga Journal.
"Sway a little side to side and breathe," says Bielkus. "Bend the knees as much as needed to ease any strain. Tension in the legs and hips will start to release." (credit:Hero Images via Getty Images)
Child's Pose (Balasana) (03 of10)
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The quintessential resting pose in many yoga classes, child's pose helps to calm the mind and relieve tension in the body. Fold the torso over the legs with the arms extended or by the sides, and rest the forehead on the ground.
"Take long deep breaths," Bielkus suggests. "Massage the forehead left to right easing tension at the brow point." (credit:shutterstock)
Plow Pose (Halasana)(04 of10)
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Yoga Journal recommends staying in the plow pose for one to five minutes to fall asleep easier. Lie down on your back, lifting your legs over your head and then to the ground behind you, with your hands either on your back for support or on the floor.
"By turning the flow of blood around, you bring new vitality into the body," says Bielkus. (credit:Kolett via Getty Images)
Legs Up The Wall Pose (Viparita Karani)(05 of10)
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This simple pose, performed against a wall, is excellent for evening relaxation and stress relief. Bielkus recommends staying in the pose for as long as five minutes, with the eyes closed and using a soothing eye pillow if desired.
"When we flip the legs up, the blood can rush back down to the heart," says Bielkus. "It has a soothing quality." (credit:Yuri Arcurs via Getty Images)
Corpse Pose (Savasana) (06 of10)
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Get your body into sleep mode with a simple corpse pose, focusing the attention on the body and breath, and letting go of the day's worries.
"By focusing the mind and bringing awareness in, you take the mind off of what is causing stress or restlessness," says Bielkus. (credit:Alamy)
This reclining twisted pose can easily be performed in bed before you fall asleep. Lie down on your back and bring the right knee into your chest and then across your left side. Extend the right arm out and gaze to the right, taking several deep breaths and then repeating on the other side. You can also try bringing both legs up and then over to each side, as pictured at left.
"Gentle twists relieve tension throughout the whole spine and also aid in digestion and help us rinse out some tension from the day," Bielkus says. (credit:Alamy)
Like the supine twist, the seated spinal twist (also known as the half lord of the fishes pose) can create a sense of relaxation in the body while gently stretching the spine. The stretch can be practiced with both legs bent or with one outstretched. (credit:Alamy)
A variation of the basic butterfly pose (pictured at left), the reclining butterfly can help the body get into rest mode. Lie down on your back -- on your bed or on a mat -- and bring the feet together, splaying out the knees in a diamond. If your hips are tight and the pose feels too intense, Bielkus suggests putting a folded blanket or cushion under each of the knees.
"Bring one hand to your heart and one hand to your belly," Bielkus says. "Breathe deeply observing the breath move in and out of the body." (credit:Getty)
Left Nostril Breathing (Surya Bhedana)(10 of10)
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To try this relaxing breathing exercise (pranayama), you can either sit up crossed-legged or lie down on your right side. Cover the right nostril with your thumb and extend the fingers out. Then take five to 10 deep breathes out of your left nostril.
"If I can't sleep ... As soon as I've done three left nostril breaths, I'm out," says Bielkus. "It's really, really effective." (credit:Alamy)