Qatar Airways must have a lot of money. They commissioned a 4-page, in-flight, how-to yoga brochure this month for passengers on long-haul flights from the king of high-end spiritual wellbeing, Deepak Chopra.
Chopra's Center for Wellbeing, in Carlsbad, CA, charges almost $4,000 for 5 days of spiritual instruction, ayurvedic cleansing, yoga, and gentle vegetarian means. It's designed for those who can afford it. Chopra, once a practicing MD, is a fantastic entrepreneur.
The Qatar Airways brochure, "Fly Healthy, Fly Fit" is not the first of its kind; other airlines in have also offered yoga instruction in the past. However, this is the first one I can remember that retained a megastar.
The brochure offers simple yoga poses, self-massage techniques, as well as tips for meditation and anxiety-conquering breathing.
"In an attempt to make the in-flight experience more enriching and less a means to pass time, the guide contains meditation practices to reduce stress, so travellers reach their destination relaxed and rejuvenated. In particular, being aware of one’s breathing – the conscious in- and exhale process – is a powerful tool to fight anxiety and jet lag."
I applaud Qatar Airways for their concern and their investment. But in my experience, the only being who can make a long flight more "enriching" is God (or some equivalent).
(I know, I know, yoga helps. But flying is just awful.)