Namaste & Fly: 9 Airports with Yoga Studios or Rooms CheapOair Staff May 7, 2021 Air Travel, Travel Guide Traveling is stressful and being stuck at an airport isn’t fun either. But you can beat back muscle tension and relieve anxiety by grabbing just 10 to 15 minutes on a yoga mat. Forgot your yoga mat, you say? Or maybe you’ve never even done yoga before. Don’t worry. Anyone of any age, including children, can enjoy and benefit from yoga. Airports know that anyone — even children– can enjoy and benefit from it, and that’s why they’re starting to offer meditation and yoga rooms equipped with mats to help weary travelers refocus and recharge. A free space to practice yoga is one of the many amenities (like free wi-fi and spa services) airports provide as more people spend more time stuck at them. Teachers and classes are not provided at these airport with yoga rooms, though: you’re doing yoga at your own pace and risk. Beginners and pros alike will benefit from sneaking in a few downward dogs, warrior poses and other types of stretches before boarding their plane! San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Formerly a storage room, the yoga room at Terminal 2 at the San Francisco International Airport is the first airport yoga room in the word. The small, 150-square-foot room has mirrored walls, a few chairs and yoga mats, with no televisions. Leave your cell phones, shoes, food or drink at the door, for this is where folks come to unwind and enjoy the silence. There are no instructors on hand, but even doing just a few simple stretches while waiting for your flight can do your body wonders! Burlington International Airport (BTV) Burlington, VT, is a small city with big community support for its new yoga room at Burlington International Airport. The company Evolution Yoga sponsors the room, which was created thanks to donations from local businesses. This yoga studio has a family bathroom with a shower located near the Observation Tower. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Located near O’Hare’s Urban Garden, in the airport’s Terminal 3 Rotunda, O’Hare’s Yoga Room is a relaxing environment designed to reduce the stress of travel. Bamboo floors, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, frosted glass windows, and gentle earth tones create a zen-like space for travelers to practice yoga or meditate. There’s also a public restroom nearby so travelers can change into their workout clothes, and the yoga room has a dedicated space where personal items can be stored safely. As an added bonus, the room features an audio system that softly broadcasts soothing sounds. Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) Near Gates D40 and E31 you’ll find the Dallas Fort Worth Airport Yoga Studios. These places are not exactly rooms, but areas facing out large windows lined with plants that is cordoned off from air traveler traffic. The space is equipped with free mats and hand sanitizer, and is protected by a privacy screen, so don’t worry about being too public while relaxing on your own. Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha Koches (@skocheezie) Located in Concourse C near a quiet space for nursing parents, the Yoga Room at MDW offers a way for travelers to step away and find peace in the middle of a hectic environment. With calming naturescapes displayed on a wall-mounted flat screen, live plants, and a small storage space for private belongings, this small room is designed to feel like a home yoga studio. Travelers enjoying this free space and its included yoga mats are asked to silence electronics, remove their shoes, and disinfect the space with complimentary sanitizing wipes when they’re done. Miami International Airport (MIA) Located on the first floor of Terminal H, MIA’s yoga room is the ideal place for travelers to relax. This airport amenity is located on the other side of the security gate, so travelers will want to make sure they have enough time to be re-screened between flights. Open from 9 to 9 each day, the room has beautiful bamboo floors, calming yellow walls, and ambient music. Full-length mirrors line one wall, reflecting a serene scene from a bamboo forest. Travelers will need to bring their own mats to make the most of this complimentary space. You may also like: Nervous? Reduce Your Stress at The Airport With These Tips! London Heathrow (LHR) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nobu (@nobuakey01) First and business class passengers, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members and travelers with a day pass, can take advantage of the yoga space in the Sky Team Lounge at LHR. Live plants adorn the walls of this serene space that allows travelers to follow instructional videos on the provided yoga mats. Located at Gate 10 of Terminal 4, the Sky Team Lounge also provides access to a luxurious wine bar, a fully-equipped wellness center with showers, a reinvigorating oxygen bar, work stations, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Helsinki Airport (HEL) Open around the clock, Helsinki Airport‘s yoga room is a spacious oasis of calm in the middle of one of the world’s busiest airports. This bright and airy space features a natural palette of greens, grays, and wood tones. In addition to a tatami mat and full-length mirrors, the space has a gymnastics ladder, a balance beam, a core twister board, and swinging chairs. Designed as a room for many types of light exercise, the space is a fantastic place for travelers to shake off the discomfort that often accompanies long flights. Hong Kong (HKG) View this post on Instagram A post shared by TIFFANY R. LUI • YOGA (@tiffanyrlui) Located in HKG’s Pier Business Class Lounge, the Sanctuary by Pure Yoga is divided into two distinct spaces. The Body Sanctuary is tailored for travelers who want to relax with yoga, and The Mind Sanctuary is designed for those who want to find their zen with meditation. Both spaces feature calming sea and earth tones and provide travelers with complimentary mats. Additional amenities include guided videos and instructional posters in The Body Sanctuary and either noise-cancelling headphones or guided audio meditation sessions in The Mind Sanctuary. Or…Do Yoga on Your Own! If you’re traveling through an airport that doesn’t have a designated yoga space—and most don’t yet—you can still perform a few yoga stretches on your own without studios or mats. Poses such as getting on all fours and doing alternating stretches called “Cat/Cow Pose,” stretching your back before a flight by going into downward dog or child’s pose, or trying a “Warrior” pose can do wonders for your muscles, especially if you’ve got a long flight ahead of you. Learn more about beginner yoga poses, and how just a little stretching between your cheap round trip flights can go a long way. FAQs: Q: Why are yoga rooms becoming popular in airports? A: As the importance of holistic well-being gains recognition, airports are striving to create a more pleasant travel experience. Yoga rooms offer a space for relaxation and rejuvenation, addressing the physical and mental needs of travelers. Q: Are yoga airports exclusive to experienced yogis? A: Absolutely not! Yoga airports cater to individuals of all experience levels. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, these spaces are welcoming and inclusive for everyone. Q: Are yoga rooms free to use? A: Yes, yoga rooms in airports are typically free for all passengers. They are designed to provide a complimentary service, enabling travelers to enjoy the benefits of yoga without any additional cost. Q: Do I need to bring my own yoga mat? A: Most yoga airports provide yoga mats for travelers to use within the designated space. However, if you have a preferred mat or specific requirements, it’s advisable to bring your own mat for a more personalized experience. Q: Can I access the yoga rooms during layovers? A: Yes, yoga rooms are accessible to passengers during layovers. They offer a tranquil escape to relax, recharge, and prepare for the next leg of your journey. Q: Are there any restrictions on using the yoga rooms? A: While each airport may have its own guidelines, it’s generally expected for users to respect the space and others around them. Maintain a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, adhere to any posted rules, and be mindful of personal hygiene. Where do you like to practice yoga ? Let us know at our comments sections below!
