Welcome, adventurers! Today, let’s embark on an extraordinary journey together, exploring essential information for an authentic yoga adventure around the world. If you’re ready to explore new horizons while deepening your practice, this guide will be your indispensable companion.
1. TIME TRAVEL
Our adventure begins in the Indus Valley, approximately 2,500 years BC during the Pre-Aramaic and Vedic periods, where we find some archaeological sites that show people performing postures equivalent to meditation and yoga asanas, which may possibly indicate some of the first records of yoga in the world.
From there, we can move forward in time…
Origins and interesting stories in different cultures: Yoga’s exact origins are difficult to pinpoint, but it is believed to be millennia old. What is certain is that yoga has a long history influenced by various cultures and traditions, including the integration of the practice into Western culture with figures such as Swami Satyananda and the founding of the Bihar School of Yoga; and the revival of the Yoga Sutras by Swami Vivekananda at the end of the 19th century, which played a significant role in shaping modern yoga.
2. BREAKING NEW GROUND: The Adventure Starts Here
Life in itself is a great adventure, right? And there’s no better way to experience it than by exploring ourselves. In this respect, yoga becomes a journey of self-discovery unique to each individual and can be the most powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.
This is because, through the combination of physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayamas), the human body becomes capable of remaining in a meditative position and state for longer, achieving greater clarity and balance of emotions, thus generating a connection between body, mind, and spirit.
But while we can find answers within ourselves, there are also those who say that the purpose of life lies in seeing the world. And fortunately, we humans can do this in a variety of ways, be it by going to exotic destinations or immersing ourselves in diverse cultures.
On a real yoga adventure, it would be no different!!! So let’s go!!!
3. INCORPORATING YOGA INTO YOUR TRIPS
Have you ever found yourself daydreaming about faraway places, where adventure awaits at every turn? That’s the magic of adventuring in life and in yoga! It awakens curiosity and feeds the desire to explore and find unique escapes that suit yogis of all levels.
It’s like the feeling of ending the day totally relaxed with incomparable views of the Persian Gulf and the Burj Al Arab while watching the sky turn into a blaze of pink and orange as you practice sunset yoga at Talise Spa Al Qasr.
It’s moments like these that make us realize that the real magic of travel lies in the connection we establish with the unknown.
In the Amazon Rainforest, for example, as well as in the jungles of Costa Rica, this sense of novelty in exploring uncharted territory serves as a magnet for a yogi’s adventurous soul. As you walk along the winding trail, listening to the exotic sounds of the wildlife around you, you can feel like you’re in a true meditative immersion.
Now, imagine venturing onto the first ski slope dedicated to yoga. That’s one of the great reasons to visit St. Moritz in Switzerland. But it’s hard to think of cold and not remember a Scandinavian country, especially Norway. The country of the Vikings has yoga retreats that run throughout the winter, and if you’re lucky, you can look up and be enchanted by the colors of the Northern Lights.
And in this way, the world tells its stories, and we travelers become an integral part of these narratives, because when we travel, we don’t just change places, we transform ourselves, just like when we practice yoga.
4. BEST TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR YOGA
Consider these amazing travel destinations to combine Yoga, Culture, and Adventure:
- Bali & Ubud, Indonesia
- Rishikesh, India
- Costa Rica
- Tulum, Mexico
- Koh Phangan, Thailand
- Sedona, Arizona & NY, USA
- Byron Bay, Australia
- Ibiza, Spain
- Santorini, Greece
5. SIMPLIFYING THE ADVENTURE
If you’re planning an adventure, here are some tips for making the most of your yoga practice while traveling:
- Pack essential items that are light and easy to carry: a mat, comfortable clothes, and a bottle of water.
- Search Yoga Trade for work and volunteer opportunities at your destination, and consider attending a class or workshop to connect with the local community.
- In addition to going to local yoga studios and retreat centers, also enjoy your destination’s unique natural environment for outdoor yoga practice (beach, forest, mountain).
- Be open to trying different styles of yoga and learning from different teachers to get a unique perspective and experience.
6. CULTURAL INSIGHTS
Tradition and Modernity: As the practice evolves and inspires a global community, and as yoga’s popularity continues to grow, it is crucial to approach this ancient tradition with cultural respect, recognizing and honoring its origins.
Food and Music: Yoga’s adventure around the world often comes alive with calming, meditative traditional music, accompanied by a vegetarian or vegan diet, as it is believed to promote physical and mental health, as well as compassion for all living beings.
7. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Co-living: the trend for short-term accommodation to share a house with other people. Some of these spaces offer activities such as yoga, meditation, and healthy eating.
Hostels or B&Bs: cheaper options that offer yoga classes as part of their activity packages, providing a more affordable option for practitioners.
Lodges and Specialized Hotels (Luxury): Places with a variety of programs and experiences for practitioners looking to combine well-being, relaxation, and comfort during their travels.
THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU!!!
The invitation is out. Open your horizons and allow the magic of yoga to transform you into a true world explorer! After all, the world is an open invitation for those who are willing to venture beyond borders and connect with new people and new places. Boa voyage!
Jessica Mendes:
Enthusiast of life, nature and yoga practices. Certified in Yoga Nidra and Thetahealing meditation techniques. Graduated in Law, she loves writing and has become a curious student of digital marketing and copywriting. Born in Brazil, she loves to travel and has lived in various places and countries, where she has experienced adventures and personal transformations. She believes that we should create, inspire and prosper in a way that is conscious and increasingly respectful of the environment.
@jesfmendes
myogarden.com
