om actions
frequencies to help the pilot adapt to the
lack of oxygen and stabilise emotional states;
likewise, meditation aids concentration and
reduces the need for sleep.
And while Borschberg practices his yoga
techniques for relaxation, Piccard also uses
self-hypnosis. to stay on topNap times
The long hours of flying time means the pilots
are allowed nap breaks during the flight.
The plane is equipped with an autopilot,
called a Stability Augmentation System,
which ensures the aircraft maintains its
altitude and direction.
In case of emergency, for example if
turbulence was to destabilise the plane,
vibrating sleeves in the pilot’s suit will alert
them immediately indicating the direction of
inclination to correct.
No sleep is permitted over populated
areas, but above the ocean, the pilots are
allowed short naps of up to 20 minutes,
10-12 times a day.
“Being able to stay awake, to concentrate
and to keep alert and not fall asleep is a
challenge,” says Borschberg. “I did a lot of
meditation in order to be able to relax andbreathe properly during the flight. With my
trainer, we developed special exercises in
order to keep blood circulation active and to
relax muscles. These were more postures than
exercises, in some way derived from yoga.”
But sleeping in such unusual circumstances
is understandably quite a challenge.
Borschberg even uses a blindfold – a key
part of Antastha Yoga – which, by reducing
the amount of light hitting the eye, creates
an increase of melotonin, the main sleep
hormone, and brings an immediate release
of stress.
Piccard says his self-hypnosis techniques
are helpful both to remain alert when you’re
tired, and equally to go to sleep when you’re
not tired.
“Part of yourself gets autonomous and
allows you to observe the other part of
yourself while living an experience. In the
case of resting periods, the method is to
dissociate the head from the body. The body
can regenerate into a very deep relaxation
while keeping the brain alert enough to check
the instruments and follow what happens
during the flight.”Follow the SI-2 project at: solarimpulse.com“Yoga is the best known technology to prepare the
human body, mind and awareness to be able to face
the extreme challenges of this unique project.”André Borschberg & Bertrand Piccard welcomed
by a crowd of reporters after landing in Mandalay
during their Round-the-World Solar FlightAll photos: ©[email protected]