How about some namaste before you’re on your way?
That’s part of the pitch being rolled out by YVR starting Friday, July 15, when the airport launches a weekly pilot program encouraging travellers to stretch and breathe before boarding.
Dubbed YYoga@YVR, the program represents a partnership between YVR and Vancouver-based YYoga, which will be providing the yoga mats free of charge.
“We’ve heard a lot interest from passengers and we’ve seen a lot of people doing stretches and doing breathing exercises before their flight,” said Kim Halowski, manager of sales and services with the Vancouver Airport Authority. “We all know Vancouverites are yoga fanatics.”
The 10-foot by 10-foot wellness space, which can accommodate about a dozen people, will be located behind security gate C, near Air Canada domestic departures. A yoga instructor will be on hand each Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
The pilot program is being offered until Aug. 26. After that, airport officials will look at a series of metrics, including customer feedback and usage rates, to determine whether it will continue in the future.
“It really is a universal program,” Halowski said. “We expect there might even be some kids that just want to stretch or relax with mom and dad.”
