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By Claire Dodds
Life & Trends Reporter
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A woman traveling on a Chinese airline was left stunned after waking up mid-flight to find nearly the entire cabin participating in a synchronized seated tai chi session.
Maite Bouzas, as maite.bouzas, shared the moment in a now-viral TikTok, showing passengers calmly moving their arms in slow, flowing motions while remaining in their seats.
The overlay text on the video reads: “Chinese airline after a 9.5 hour flight.”
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Bouzas appears confused at first, panning the camera down the aisle to capture rows of travelers following along with the guided routine.
The atmosphere is quiet and coordinated, with passengers stretching their arms outward and upward in unison. The user later rated the experience “10/10” in the caption.
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Tai chi, which originated in China as a martial art, is now widely practiced for its health benefits.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Tai chi is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind and controlled breathing.”
The federal health agency notes that over time, the practice, “has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation.”
Hands in the Air
Long-haul flights often involve extended periods of sitting, which can leave passengers stiff and uncomfortable. A travel health blog by Anika Therapeutics explains why in-flight movement can help.
“Stretching exercises are essential because they help maintain flexibility, improve blood flow and relieve muscle tension,” the company states on its website.
The blog adds that extended sitting, “can cause muscles to tighten and restrict movement, often resulting in discomfort, especially in the back, neck and legs.”
The sight of an entire plane joining in a group stretch struck a chord with TikTok viewers, who praised both the health benefits and the camaraderie.
“They’ve really nailed this community thing over there, it’s pretty smart,” one person admired.
“Everyone participating is so cute,” a fan declared.
An individual added: “I like this because if everyone does it then I won’t feel awkward doing it along, I always want to do a big stretch in the plane without looking weird.”
Health Applications
While tai chi is often associated with older adults, research has explored its broader health applications.
The NCCIH states that, “Tai chi may be beneficial in improving balance and preventing falls in older adults and people with Parkinson’s disease,” though it notes that evidence varies depending on the condition studied.
Airlines in some Asian countries have previously incorporated guided stretching or exercise routines into flights, particularly on longer routes, as a way to encourage circulation and reduce stiffness among passengers.
For Bouzas, the unexpected wake-up call turned into a memorable part of their journey. Her TikTok clip has been watched on 1.7 million occasions since February 22, with many viewers applauding the coordinated mid-air movement and suggesting other airlines might want to take note.
Newsweek has reached out to maite.bouzas for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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