Keeping a healthy mind and body can be difficult when we fly, especially on long-haul journeys. And that legroom isn’t getting any less cramped!

Lucky for us, a new in-flight wellbeing program called “Travel Well with Yoga” is now being offered on all routes of Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon airlines. The news has gotten me feeling all zen already.

The in-flight videos that consist of a variety of yoga and meditation routines were created in partnership with Pure Yoga.

Pure Yoga is an international yoga studio, with locations in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, and New York. They offer a huge range of yoga and meditation classes, and private yoga programs, including workshops with renowned teachers. They’ve got everything from Hatha and Vinyasa to Aerial Yoga and Yogalates, and meditation classes like Yoga Nidra and Trataka.

Their in-flight wellbeing program is available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese.  The program’s videos are accessible through the in-flight entertainment system to help passengers with guided sessions, exercises, and helpful tips.

The six easy-to-follow videos demonstrate yoga and meditation routines that can be done before, during, or after a flight.

Why doing an in-flight wellbeing program is right for you

Sitting still for an extended period is undoubtedly really uncomfortable. We all know the frustration of feeling confined and restless on a long flight. But sitting for hours in a cramped seat isn’t just unpleasant. Prolonged sitting can lead to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a condition where blood clots form in the legs because of reduced blood flow.

A study published by Annals of Internal Medicine found that there’s a direct relationship between time spent sitting and your risk of early mortality. These findings are based on a study of nearly 8,000 adults aged 45 and older. As your total sitting time increases, so will your risk of early death!

The good news:  you can cut down on your risk by getting up and moving around. Moving frequently is particularly essential on flights where it’s all too easy to stay immobile for hours.

According to the US National Institutes of Health, yoga may help you to feel more relaxed, be more flexible, improve posture, and alleviate stress. Also, the “2016 Yoga in America Study” found that about 37 million Americans now practice yoga; and that yoga correlates with having a positive self-image.

Whether your flight is a short trip or a long haul, make your health a priority and practice some self-care in the air.

That sounds like a great way to kick-start some healthier routines, no matter where you are!