Travelling is usually fun. The excitement of going to new places, exposing yourself to new adventures, enjoying new culture, cuisines and meeting new people can definitely be fun. But sometimes travelling can also lead to stress, body stiffness and muscle fatigue.
Whether it is waiting in long queues in the airport, delays, long hours of seating, tampering with the sleep schedule, irregular and unhealthy eating. And even the in general feeling of anxiousness and restlessness that accompany us during our travel can be sometimes taxing.
The journey from your home to your destination can drain your energy if you don’t take care of your body and mind. This is where steps in travel friendly yoga postures that allow you to practise yoga on the go.
You don’t necessarily need to have a mat, a restricted yoga studio or even a quiet space. A few simple postures, basic stretches, easy breathing techniques will help you to remain calm, wash down your anxiety and enjoy your travel throughout.
Yoga is a holistic practise that is meant to keep you fit and in addition to keeping your muscles stress free, it also brings mental clarity and helps you to better manage your emotions. In this guide, we shall be understanding why yoga is important especially while travelling and what are the top 5 yoga postures which will help you stay calm, relax and peaceful on every trip.
Why Practicing Yoga Especially While Travelling Matters
Aids in body pain
While we are travelling our body is exposed to fatigue both mentally and physically. Long hours of sitting travelling in congested spaces and irregular sleep routines often lead to lethargy and body pain. This can be reflected in our day to day work life and affect our productivity. When we inculcate yoga especially while travelling it offers relief in body pain and offers internal strength to remain healthy.
Promotes Relaxation
Yoga in general aims to promote healing and relaxation. Yoga has therapeutic benefits that benefit both the physical body as well as the mind and the heart. When we practice yoga, especially during travelling it helps us to stay calm. Airport Relaxation Yoga can be useful throughout the journey.
Reduces Stress Levels Naturally
Whether it is the stress of what to pack, what not to pack or reaching the airport or stations on time. Or simply the whole anxiety of the unknown and what is supposed to happen can put us in a state of anxiousness and restlessness. Peaceful Yoga training teaches one grounding poses and breath work techniques helps us to control the stress hormones reduce cortisol levels and naturally balance our mood.
Improves Sleep Quality
It is often in travelling phase that our sleep cycles get the most hampered and this change or irregularity in sleep cycle continues even after the travel is over. So practicing yoga while you are on the go will not only help you seek maximum relaxation from whatever little or irregular amounts of sleep you can get but recharge your body and fall asleep quickly.
Allows You to Enjoy
The whole point of travelling is have fun and explore new places, cuisines, meet new people and form new connections. When you practice yoga in your everyday routine, you make sure that you are committing to self love and you are finding your way back to your body and breath. This connection with yourself will help you to embrace things as they come and allow you to enjoy the present moment.
5 Beneficial Yoga Travel Poses
Variation of Marjaryasana (Cat cow stretch)
The cat cow stretch is perhaps one of the best yogic postures for relaxing the spine. Usually when we are travelling, we have to endure long sitting hours and this can create tension in the spine area.
So practicing a seated cat cow stretch will be perfect while you are passing time in the waiting area of airports or you are taking long bus or tram rides. The only variation you need to bring in here is that instead of being on all your fours, you have to practise this asana while being seated on your chair with your feet flat on the ground. This will instantly relieve your spine and remove any back pain and also allow you to take better breath.
Uttanasana ( forward folds)
The standing forward fold is one of the most beneficial grounding postures that instantly helps in calming the mind and also stretching the lower body, hamstrings etc. which can get affected with long hours of travelling. This posture allows better blood flow in the head region of the body and is also helpful in reducing anxiety and stress.
Ardha matsyendra variations ( seated spinal twist)
Usually the Spinal twist is supposed to be performed while you are lying down with your back on the mat or grounded surface. But since you are travelling, you would need to perform this asana while you are sitting. It is beneficial in relieving your back and stretching your shoulder and hip muscles. It also allows you to wake up and stimulate digestion.
Viparita Karani ( Legs up the wall pose)
The Viparita Karani is one of the most effective and relaxing yoga posters. It helps you in getting relief from jet lag, swollen feet and allows you to gently recover from long travel hours and this is one asana which can be performed without actually being engaged in it.
You simply need to lie on your back and lift your legs vertically. This can be performed on the bed of your hotel room or any place of your choice. You need not be putting any unnecessary strain on your back as there would be the support of your mattress or your yoga mat beneath. This can be performed while you are planning for your next day or even while you are simply scrolling through your mobile.
Introduce breath work techniques
Breath work is an essential part in. Introducing Breath work techniques while you are travelling can greatly benefit you. It can remove the feelings of anxiety feeling overwhelmed And act as an essential tool during your travel and the best part is that this can be performed literally anywhere whether you are on the flight preparing to take off or you are sitting In your cab on the way to your hotel It requires hardly two to three minutes and this instantly Reflects in your approach.
Conclusion
Travel need not be stressful chaotic or even draining anymore introducing simple and easy yoga postures in your travel can greatly benefit you. Seeking yoga teacher training courses in Goa can not only help you find relief from physical tension and mental stress. But also control feelings of restlessness anxiety, difficulty in falling asleep, adjusting to new places. And in addition to all this carve a professional yoga teaching pathway for yourself In the yoga industry.


