Yoga can really enrich our travels by centering our minds and bodies, allowing us to absorb all of the new sights and experiences at hand.
Keeping our yoga practice up while we are on the move can be challenging, but definitely worth it.
Whether you are embarking on a special yoga retreat, or simply heading off on a work trip, yoga can really help to reduce the stress and stiffness that travel can cause.
Here are some great tips and thoughts about yoga travel:
1. How yoga benefits travel and vice versa
Sometimes traveling can be extremely stressful and can leave us feeling tired and jaded. By practicing a daily set of poses, you can really relax your body and mind.
This will help with sleep, which can be drastically affected by new time zones and crazy sleep schedules.
Practicing yoga in the morning helps to balance the mind, clear out stress, and set you up for a day of exploration and adventure.
Travel can also help your yoga journey too!
By experiencing new places and new sensations, your body awakens and becomes receptive to new limits and abilities.
Different regions of the world practice different kinds of yoga, you may learn something totally new and completely exciting!
2. Retreats and Courses
You might be considering traveling for the purpose of yoga itself. This is a great way to set time aside to dedicate solely to your practice. Go online and research the thousands of yoga retreats around the world.
Think of where you have always wanted to go, and if it’s in your price range, seek out a yoga retreat there. You will be fulfilling a travel goal as well as learning and growing your yoga abilities. Be sure to read reviews and comments to get a feel for the facility.
3. Apps and resources
If you are traveling for work or other non-yoga related reasons, it’s a good idea to download a yoga app so you can have a guide to use while you are on the go.
If you are staying in a hotel, make use of the quiet space of your suite in the morning. Choose a routine on your app and really get into it. Some hotels can actually offer yoga classes, so check ahead to see what’s available.
Yoga.com and Pocket Yoga are great choices with a variety of levels and classes.
4. How to incorporate yoga into all kinds of travel
Take a look at your travel schedule before you go and pencil in sometimes to set aside especially for yoga. This could be in the morning, or before bed, whenever you can get a quiet moment
If you are staying in one place for a week or so, check out what local community yoga classes they have and go along! You can meet new people and get a new yoga perspective
When waiting for long periods of time, i.e. for delayed flights, turn this into a positive and use it as a chance to get some yoga into your day and stretch your body and mind
5. Solo or with a friend?
Solo travel isn’t for everyone, it can be lonely and daunting. Be honest about yourself and if you would really enjoy going solo if not, don’t do it!
Pick a like-minded friend to take on a yoga retreat, someone you know will enjoy it and will get their own set of benefits from it
If you are going solo, choose a yoga retreat or a location that is known for being safe and solo-travel friendly. This will put your mind at ease and allow you to relax and enjoy yourself
6. What to take?
A yoga mat is a great investment if you are planning on incorporating yoga into your travel routine. Lululemon yoga mats are great for travel, they have a wide range of colors, weights, and sizes to suit your preferences. Take comfy, stretchy clothes to wear when commuting or in transit, this allows you to move freely if a spare moment for yoga arises.
CONCLUSION
If you are a yoga beginner or expert, you can benefit from practicing yoga the next time you travel.
The relaxation can really help to reduce stress and anxiety which can be highly exacerbated by travel.
Get started by downloading an app onto your phone so you can have it handy whenever you need it.
Use yoga as a tool for deep sleep and chasing away worries that might hinder you from making the most of your trip.
