Wednesday 28 September 2022 07:38 PM ESA astronaut performs the Jedi warrior and crescent moon poses while in ... trends now
European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti completed a yoga class that is out of this world - she performed the Jedi warrior, shooting star and other poses in microgravity while aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Cristoforetti, who on Wednesday became the first female European commander on the station, followed along with certified yoga teacher Jaime Amor who conducted the class from an Earth-based studio.
However, the astronaut had to secure her feet to the floor with a bar and use a large elastic band to keep her balance.
While Cristoforetti was able to stay grounded for most of the poses, with some assistance, the crescent moon and eagle has landed poses saw her lift off the ground and float around the station.
While Samantha Cristoforetti was able to stay grounded for most of the poses, with some assistance, the crescent moon (pictured) and eagle has landed poses saw her lift off the ground and float around the station
Cristoforetti followed yoga instructor Jamie Amor, who was in an Earth-based studio
Yoga is a popular exercise to improve strength, mental health and flexibility, and has been performed aboard the orbiting lab by several other astronauts in the past - NASA astronauts Jack Fischer and Peggy Whitson showed off some balancing poses in 2017.
A 2012 paper, published by a team of American scientists and the US Army Institute of Surgical Research, suggested that yoga practices like breathing maneuvers, relaxation, meditation and specific muscular movements could help alleviate effects of microgravity.
‘By providing self-directed stress relief tools the reduction in stress-related cortisol and catecholamine spikes observed throughout the space program may be expected to ameliorate microgravity-induced changes such as immuno-deficiency and regional loss in bone architecture, as well as accelerate readaptation of balance and coordination, bone, muscle, and cardiovascular systems to Earth's gravity on return,’ reads the study.
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Amor (left) and Cristoforetti (right) practiced yoga on the ground before the astronaut launched to the ISS
Cristoforetti used a long elastic band to perform the Jedi warrior pose, otherwise she would have floated away
And although Cristoforetti was doing yoga for fun, the short class could improve her health while she completes a long stay on the ISS.
Cristoforetti follows along with Amor, who is a yoga instructor for Cosmic Kids, a platform geared toward mindfulness for kids.
The astronaut places her feet underneath a bar that is attached to the ship’s floor to begin the class, which started with simple breathing exercises to ‘calm the nerves and mind,’ which Amor said ‘is very important for an astronaut’ during the video.
One off the stretching
