Travel and Yoga Really Are Alot Alike

The world is falling in love with travel again.

No matter who I am talking to, it seems like the conversation centers around where they have been or where they are going. The website Booking.com must be running a million commercials right now with the exceptionally talented actress Melissa McCarthy. The ad jingle is stuck in my head so I thought it might be fun to write a blog about how yoga and travel are alike.

No matter whether it is Iceland, Italy, Ireland, or even a trip to a New York campground in an Airstream, travel is a way to explore new destinations, experience diverse cultures and food, and create lasting memories. But, beneath the obvious benefits of traveling and taking vacations lies a host of extraordinary and often overlooked positives that can truly transform your life. In this blog, we will dive into the unusual rewards of getting away that extend far beyond the ordinary and see how these intersect with the practice of yoga.

Expanding Our Perspective

One of the most extraordinary benefits of travel is its ability to broaden your perspective. Yoga does this for us too. Both situations invite us to step out of our comfort zones and immerse ourselves in unfamiliar environments fostering a greater understanding of diverse cultures, traditions, and ways of life. We are called to develop empathy, tolerance, and appreciation for the world’s rich tapestry of humanity. This newfound perspective often translates into a more open-minded and compassionate outlook on life.

Igniting Creativity

Traveling and yoga stimulate the creative senses in ways unparalleled by other experiences. Exploring new landscapes in traveling or new shapes in our asanas, interacting with different people, and being exposed to unique art and architecture can ignite inspiration and fuel our creative spirits. The colors, sounds, smells, and textures we encounter, on and off the mat, can serve as a wellspring of ideas, enhancing our artistic pursuits and problem-solving abilities.

Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

This one is a biggie.

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery is an inherent part of traveling and yoga.

Being away from the familiar allows us to reflect on our lives, values, and aspirations. You gain a deeper understanding of who you are and what truly matters to you. Overcoming challenges during travel, or a difficult pose in a yoga class cultivates resilience and self-confidence, pushing us to expand our limits and embrace personal growth.

Enhancing Social Skills

The past few years have kept many of us in isolation. Joining a yoga class or making plans to do some traveling on your next vacation encourages social interaction and fosters the development of valuable people skills. Engaging with people who may be different than us in terms of their backgrounds, beliefs, cultures, and customs enhances our ability to communicate effectively and build valuable connections and resources. We learn to adapt to diverse social situations, boosting our confidence and cultural sensitivity.

Boosting Mental Health

This is one of the more common benefits of getting away or taking a yoga class but let us dive a little deeper to uncover the extraordinary aspects of this benefit. We all know that unplugging from routine, whether it be to visit Ireland for 10 days or take a yoga class this week, significantly improves our mental health. But did you also know that the excitement and anticipation of associated with exploring something or somewhere new releases endorphins, the “feel good” hormones that promote a sense of happiness and well?

Developing Adaptability

Navigating unfamiliar places when we travel or trying new yoga poses on our mats contribute to developing adaptability. By having to figure things out we become more resourceful, flexible, and quick to adapt to changing situations and in today’s world, we really need this. These skills can be applied to all aspects of life including work and our personal lives.

One Last Thing Before I Go…

Travel and yoga hold extraordinary and unusual benefits that extend far beyond what we can imagine. When we venture into the unknown in a foreign land or on our yoga mats, we step out of our comfort zones and unlock the hidden and wonderful benefits that await.

May all of your travels be exciting, dear Yogis, and know that on your journey or yoga mat, the

benefits are many.

Namaste-