Being confined to an airplane seat and remaining inactive for extended periods of time can cause deep vein thrombosis. Even if you are flying business, the seat or flatbed might still not be providing the best support to your posture. So take some time to do these five easy poses that help ease the strain.
NECK AND SHOULDER ADJUSTMENT
ROUTINE If your neck and shoulders are feeling tight, your head may have been placed too far forward. Try placing a pillow behind your shoulder blades (upper back) and make sure you can slide your hand under your neck rather than flat.
BENEFITS Supports neck and keeps your shoulders and chest open, thus increasing circulation.
DOWNWARD FACING DOG AGAINST WALL
ROUTINE A routine to do while you are waiting for your turn at the lavatory. Place your hands and shoulders width apart, walk away from wall until you are creating a 90-degree angle with your feet, hips and shoulders. Push the wall away from you and take your hips back as you try to lower your chest towards the ground.
BENEFITS Stretch to the shoulders, lower back and hamstrings (back of your legs).
NECK AND SHOULDER STRETCH
ROUTINE Take your hand over the side of your head and apply gentle pressure (No need to pull very strongly!) Keep your spine lengthened and keep your face relaxed. Then repeat on the other side.
BENEFITS You would feel the nice stretch across the sides of your neck and shoulders.
OVERHEAD ARM STRETCH
ROUTINE Place a pillow or a folded blanket behind your lower back so you don’t slouch. Cross your fingers and take your arms over your head to stretch out your body.
BENEFITS Relives pressure from your lower back and refreshes your mind and body!
STANDING SIDE STRETCH
ROUTINE Another good one for when you are lining up for the lavatory – hold opposite elbows with your hands, inhale to lengthen, exhale to bend your body to right, do the same to the other side.
BENEFITS Not only does this pose feel great, by stretching muscles around rib cages it allows us to breathe more deeply, and easily.
Demonstrations and instructions by:
Anri Shiga
Managing teacher of Pure Yoga Lincoln House & Soundwill Plaza
For more information, visit www.pure-yoga.com
Clement Huang
