With
the stage set for International Yoga Day this Sunday, yoga asanas
were performed mid-air at 35,000 feet above the sea-level, arguably
the first time ever! The asanas called Upayoga or useful yoga were
performed as a trial-run aboard the Delhi-Guwahati and Guwahati-Delhi
flights of budget airline SpiceJet with over 180 passengers and crew.
The Gurgaon-based carrier has teamed up with Isha Foundation of
Sadhguru to conduct mid-air yoga sessions on its select Boeing
flights on Sunday, which is being observed as International Yoga Day.
Talking about the yogic postures demonstrated, Gita, a teacher with
the Isha Foundation said the session was designed to reduce stress
for passengers who travel long hours. "These are safe, simple
postures which can be done by anyone, and can be practiced anytime
and anywhere. They help in relieving stress accumulated in the upper
neck and spine region," Gita told PTI. The passengers on board,
who had no clue about the onboard yoga demonstration, were mostly
taken by surprise, but observed the postures being performed keenly
with some even joining along. "Yoga on flight is good. People
travel for different reasons- business, meetings, leisure. And
everyone carries different stress. Such an exercise will benefit
them, because it helps us relax," said Dhritismita, a passenger.
Spicejet said this was part of its endeavour to do something new for
passengers. "Since yoga day is being sponsored by India, it is
very important for us. Initially we had planned to distribute
pamphlets and CDs from Isha Foundation, but then we got the idea that
we'll make our own crew do yoga on board," Senior Vice President
In-flight Services Kamal K Hingorani said. The airline will have its
crew perform yoga on about 22-25 flights on June 21. They will be
distributing CDs and pamphlets as well about the practice and
benefits of yoga. The flights for on board yoga have been selected
keeping in mind minimal turbulences so as to allow a hassle free 15
minute yoga demonstration, along with a minimum two-hour long flight
duration, said Hingorani. Many passengers attempted to follow the
volunteers as they were seen rotating their necks, shoulders and
arms, while sitting on their seats. "It's such a great idea. So
good for creating awareness," businessman Ramesh Makwana said.
Some travellers, however, could not decide how good or bad this trend
of taking yoga to aeroplanes is. "I have always done yoga in the
morning, so after having my meal this was not very relevant for me.
But it's a new experience and there is a long demand for yoga now.
Who knows it may catch on," said another passenger Prabhjyoti
Chaddha.
Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar attracted opposition BJP's ire today in Rajya Sabha when he said he was not interested in listening to speech of a BJP member on vote on account, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House amid uproar. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed Aiyar, who wanted to ask a question, to do so, which was opposed by BJP members. Kurien asked Aiyar whether he yielded to allow others to speak, to which he said he had no objection and he can ask his question later. As the House got ready to initiate discussion on Vote on Account, Kurien said, "Let us reduce the discussion to two hours from four hours," which was opposed by BJP members including Piyush Goyal who was given a chance to speak on Vote on Account. When it was agreed that discussion will take place as per schedule, Aiyar remarked he was not interested in listening to the speech by BJP member. "You had given me the chance to ask a question
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