For most of us, standing in line is nerve-wracking, especially when we’re in a rush. The following exercises will help you limber up and take your focus off your wait.
Standing on your left foot only, cross right foot over left. Right toes should not touch the ground.
Put your hands on your waist and focus your gaze on a spot a few feet in front of you.
Feel the sole of your left foot rooted into the floor, balance on your left leg, and feel your posture rise upward.
Take five deep breaths while focusing on being patient, and then switch legs.
Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
—St. Francis of Assisi
To ease strain on your lower back, stand with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent.
Imagine a string pulling upward at the crown of your head. Feel your spine lift into a straight line.
Let your shoulders relax downward and back, soften your jaw, relax your forehead, lower your chin, and don’t forget to breathe.
To help yourself stay calm, breathe in and out in a slow, steady rhythm.
Notice that when your chest rises outward, your back immediately straightens, you naturally take a deep breath, and your shoulders and neck rise and align.
Can you feel the difference? This simple shift in posture improves not only your physical well-being, but also your mood.
Place your hands on your hips.
With your legs hip-width apart, bend both knees slightly.
Make wide, full circles with your hips, and remember to smile.
Next, place your hands on your lower back, fingers pointing downward.
Tighten your buttocks and stretch your upper body backward.
Breathe and relax into the stretch.
Life is not so short but that there is always time for courtesy.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Interlace your fingers behind your back, bend forward and slowly raise your arms.
Let your chest rise, and breathe into the stretch.
Take five deep breaths and then gently release your arms.
With loose fists, gently pound on your lower back.
Don’t forget to share a smile with those around you.
The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer everybody else up.
—Mark Twain
Hold your arms straight out to the sides.
Stretch your fingertips toward the opposite walls.
Pull your hands in opposite directions and let your shoulders relax.
Breathe, relax, and smile!
Security personnel have one of the toughest jobs in travel. They have to be hypervigilant and eagle-eyed while exercising extreme patience. Patience goes a long way, as does a simple smile and a “Thank you very much.” Your random acts of patience will help you stay calm and bring a smile to those who serve you.
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
—Plato
Waiting is a large part of the travel experience. So why not use this time to practice Travel Yoga? Stretch your body, soothe your mind, and savor the moment.
While sitting, reach your hands toward the sky.
Breathe in deeply, and relax completely on the exhalation.
Drop your arms and upper body toward the ground like a rag doll.
Breathe deeply.
Stay here until you feel refreshed.
Courage consists of the power of self-recovery.
—Ralph Waldo emerson
While sitting, interlace your fingers behind your head.
Relax your elbows and shoulders.
Smile, breathe, and stretch your elbows backward.
Feel your shoulder tightness releasing and your chest opening.
Repeat this calming exercise as needed.
Lie on your back and slide your legs up against the wall.
Rest your hands on your belly and close your eyes.
Feel your lower back loosen.
Breathe and forget about your hurries and worries.
Stand with your back and palms flat against the wall.
Slowly walk your feet out in front of you.
Use your hands to slow your descent as your back slides down the wall.
Lower yourself until you are in a sitting position with your thighs parallel to the floor, knees at a ninety-degree angle, and feet directly below your knees.
Do not let your knees extend beyond your toes.
You will feel your buttocks and legs getting a great workout.
Hang in there, and don’t forget to breathe.
Pressurized cabins, turbulence, recycled air, and long hours of sitting can leave you feeling groggy upon arrival. These Arrival Revival stretches will get your circulation going and soothe sore muscles.
Tightly interlace your hands and rotate hands in wide circles.
Massage and squeeze hands together.
Release hands and shake them.
Curl fingers into a tight claw, into a tight fist, and then stretch fingers wide apart.
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?
—Vincent van Gogh
Shake your hands and arms vigorously.
Shake each leg and foot, one at a time.
Swing your arms in wide circles– up and around and from side to side. Switch directions.
Wiggle your whole body till it feels loose.
Raise your arms above your head.
Reach your hands toward the sky and rise onto your toes.
Breathe, stretch, and feel your whole body reenergize!
Man plans … God laughs.
—old Hebrew saying
Stand next to a table or chair for balance.
Place your right foot against the inside of your left thigh.
If your foot slides down, place your right hand on it.
If you feel steady, put your hands against your chest in prayer position.
Feel the standing foot rooted into the ground.
Relax and breathe.
Stand straight and balanced. Switch legs slowly.
All good things come to those who wait.
—English proverb
Place your hand on a solid surface to steady yourself.
Keeping your back straight, squat down slowly for a moment.
Take a deep breath, then slowly rise.
Repeat this move several times, breathing in rhythm.
Try this with your feet flat or balancing on the balls and toes of your feet.
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
—St. Augustine
Lift your right foot onto a solid bench or table.
Turn your standing foot to the side for balance.
Stretch over your right leg, placing your hands on your leg or on the table.
Drop your head and breathe into the stretch.
Flex your foot. Breathe.
Relax your foot. Breathe.
Switch legs and repeat.
He who would travel happily must travel light.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Breathe … relax …
imagine journeying into the Grand Canyon.
Soar into its depths, inhale the fresh air,
lose yourself in the majestic beauty.
Find calm in the canyon!
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes.
—Marcel Proust
