Harnam doing Bound Lotus at the airport
Air travel is incredibly convenient, but also incredibly difficult. Stale air, crying children, and smelly airplane bathrooms come together to make sure you arrive tired and stressed. The tension continues to mount if you have a layover, knowing you have to endure airport noise and troubles before getting on yet another plane. For yogis, being cooped up in those tiny seats can be worrisome, as we think about our hips and hamstrings tightening up. Some yogis try to do seated stretches, and walk the aisles. Sat Nam Fest artist Harnam has been known to do Bound Lotus in his airplane seat, terminals and baggage claim! Others try to strike some poses in the airport, hoping to find an out-of-the-way place where they won't stick out or get in anyone's way. Spirit Voyage's own Ramdesh Kaur is a fan of finding unused gates to practice wheel pose. Fortunately the San Francisco airport (SFO) has come to the rescue. As of January 26, 2012 there is a yoga room available for travelers!
Located in the newly redesigned Terminal 2, the Yoga Room will be freely available to all ticketed passengers. Yoga mats will be available, though many yogis will likely be traveling with their own. A cell-phone free, shoe-free zone, the room is designed to encourage quiet and relaxation. Currently the room is decorated in a blue color, and by spring will have artificial rocks reminiscent of a Japanese garden. The lighting is low and warm, contrasting with the bright, cool nature of airport terminal lights. The airport director said that part of the San Francisco airport's goal in redesigning the terminal and creating the yoga space was “to also make the entire experience [of travel] less stressful and more enjoyable.”
The San Francisco Airport Yoga Room is the first of its kind in America. There is also a room set aside in the International Terminal for meditation and quiet reflection. Yogis, what do you think? Would you spend some time in the Yoga Room on a layover in San Francisco? Should more airports add yoga or meditation spaces to their list of amenities?
Bringing a travel mat is convenient and more sanitary than using a shared mat!
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It’s a damn fine idea, and would surely benefit everyone.
The prayer rooms provided at many airports also serve as wonderful oases of quiet for prayer and meditation – though some are rather nicer than others, they are a great, and often greatly under-used, resource.
I dream of a day when there are more airports that offer such a wonderful service. I love to travel and am one of those travellers that gets known by the staff and anyone who uses the loo as I spend as much realistic time spent stretching by the loos and wondering the aisles. I did use the prayer room in Abu Dhabi and actually got kicked out because one lady said that it was for praying not exercising, at the time I was doing some sitting stretches, and felt a bit offended, however I guess this reinforces the fact that meditation and yoga rooms in airports are needed, or at least a greater awareness that such practices are forms of prayer and greatly needed between long flights to give you a chance to find your centre and your peace
I have the Ultra Light Travel Yoga Mat (advertised above) and LOVE IT! It’s a great “bring-along” on business trips, or places that I know I will be there for awhile. I’ve just used a towel in the past however this is much nicer for yoga commitment while away from home. And it makes a great gift too.
You might not believe this, but back when, there used to be a sauna available for a few dollars at the San Francisco airport, I used it on several occasions, waiting between flights.