Heathrow Express is hosting live YOGA classes to calm passengers
Nice flowers, but where do I put my luggage? Heathrow Express turns carriage into ‘tranquil train’ to host live YOGA class and meditation to calm passengers
- Influencer Celest Pereira led a ‘seat yoga’ routine on the train yesterday
- The 12-minute routine was part of an initiative to tackle passengers’ travel stress
- Heathrow Express put on the class after a survey showed passengers found travelling more stressful than usual during the pandemic
A train operator is making travel more tranquil – by hosting live yoga classes during journeys.
Travellers on Heathrow Express yesterday were treated to sessions with yoga influencer Celest Pereira, who has developed a 12-minute ‘seat-yoga’ and meditation routine.
The class has been developed so travellers of all ages and abilities can perform the exercises safely from their seats – and it’s believed to be the first time a yoga class has taken place on a moving train.
Influencer Celest Pereira (standing) was drafted in to help passengers detach from the stress of travelling during the pandemic
Celest has developed a 12-minute ‘seat yoga’ routine which can be done safely without standing up while they are on the moving train
Heathrow Express said that it was experimenting with ways to make travel less stressful for passengers while the pandemic continues
To get passengers in the right frame of mind, the ‘Tranquil Train’ carriage hosting the sessions was decorated with fresh eucalyptus and lavender to fill the carriage with soothing aromas.
The initiative was trialled after a study also commissioned by Heathrow Express found more than half of public transport users find travel stressful following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Celest Pereira said: ‘Travelling can get very fraught – there’s lots going on, lots of things to think about, and it’s very deadline driven – so it can be a very intense experience.
‘By hosting these classes we’re hoping to alleviate those pressures and help passengers be in the present moment, feel less overwhelmed and relieve any muscle tension.
The Tranquil Train was also decorated with eucalyptus and lavender to create a zen feel
Passengers were treated to the class as part of an initiative by Heathrow Express to destress the travelling experience after survey results showed the public found it stressful
Celest Pereira, the yoga influencer who ran the class, shows her flexibility in front of the train
‘There’s no reason why travel can’t be tranquil – and often it’s about training your brain to think a little differently.
The study of 2,000 adults also identified the most frustrating aspects of travel – including delayed departures (52 percent) and crowds (48 percent).
Other worries include missing flights, trains, or buses (47 percent), trying to find a seat (43 percent) and worrying you’ve forgotten something like your passport or the tickets (40 percent).
Joe Bence, 26, from London who was among those who boarded the Heathrow Express ‘Tranquil Train’, said: ‘I have such a busy life and usually look at my phone on the train – but today I completely switched off.
Talitha Lindo, 31, also from London, added: ‘I enjoy going to new places but I’m not too keen on the travel aspect – it’s too busy and rushed.
‘So, something like this is really great – it’s made me feel how I think you should feel when travelling, and I’m a lot more excited about my trip now.
‘I’m feeling very zen, so the exercise has definitely worked’.
The Tranquil Train is believed to be the first moving train ever to host a live yoga class
Passengers noted that the aromas on the train made them feel noticably more zen than usual
The eucalyptus aroma on the ‘Tranquil Train’ made an impression on many passengers.
Commenting on her experience, Elizabeth, from Washington DC, said: ‘This was a real pick me up, especially after a long overnight flight.
‘The smell is so wonderful’.
Passengers who missed this experience yesterday can relive the moment on Heathrow Express as their on-board screens will show a recording of the class over the next year.
Celest Pereira is an influencer and neuroscience student with over 76,000 Instagram followers
A spokesperson from Heathrow Express said: ‘We’ve always aimed to provide a premium service which is easy and straightforward, while giving passengers all the facilities they need.
‘Our trains run every 15 minutes and offer the quickest transfer between Heathrow and Central London, so if passengers need to get somewhere fast our service is one they can rely on.
‘But we’re only one part of the journey – many passengers have already spent hours on trains or planes before they travel on our service, by which point they can be feeling quite tense and exhausted.
‘So hopefully initiatives like the ‘Tranquil Train’ will ease worries and help to relax passengers as they get back to travelling following the COVID-19 pandemic’.
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