One of the things I love about blogging is it forces me to sit quietly and reflect on my travels; to aggressively over-analyze my trips, and to recognize changes in myself and my travel style over time. Upon reliving my recent five months in Central America, I’ve come to the undeniable conclusion that this trip was a turning point for yoga and me.

Yoga Travel

My motto used to be, “if you’re in control, you’re not moving fast enough,” but I think in a lot of ways I just loved that quote because it justified the chaos that was/is my day to day existence. I live life without an anchor, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. What has shifted, however, is my shrug-your-shoulders acceptance that being a traveler, being an entrepreneur, and being a career creative means I need to live in mayhem.

Hence, my recent attempts to find more balance. Slowing down my travel itinerary. Delegating work I can hire out to others. Finding space in my days to prioritize my physical and mental fitness. And that’s where yoga comes in.

Finding the Mat

I was drawn to yoga originally because I’m hyper flexible and so I thought I’d kick its butt. Turns out balance and strength are the other two side of the yoga skills triangle, and both are areas I could use work in. So I reluctantly stayed on the mat. Overall, yoga was something I did occasionally, maybe once a week at my peak, in order to stretch out muscles that were tight from my other workouts and to find an hour to slip away into my thoughts. Yet I frequently left frustrated – the class was too long, we moved too slow, the instructor made us do that breathe-y thing with our nostrils, I rolled my two eyes too hard when someone started talking about their third one, I could have used that hour to work, someone forced me (!) to meditate, etc. The list went on.

I arrived in Central America determined to kick start my new zen-ish lifestyle, and yoga suddenly felt right. I was recovering from surgery physically, but more so mentally; trying to find my confidence again with new scars, and yoga along with my other workouts reminded me there was little my body couldn’t do. I was focusing heavily on my writing, and inspiration overflowed whenever I was in flow. I was traveling alone, and yoga introduced me to fantastic people. More than any other region I’ve visited, the gringo trail in Central America is a great place to throw together a self-styled health retreat. With very few exceptions, I attended classes in every destination I visited. From a treehouse in San Juan del Sur to a colonial garden in Granada, from the shadow of a Mayan ruin in San Ignacio to the shores of a Lake Atitlán in San Marcos, Central America is teeming with places to try yoga. In the same way that Muay Thai made me feel more connected to Thailand, practicing yoga made me feel more connected to Central America.

Slowly I realized that my eyeroll reflex had softened, and rather than try to tune them out, I listened curiously when my teachers shared their philosophies. I craved the familiar flow of asanas (the snobby yoga word for postures), awaited the time away from all my screens (even when I run I have my iPhone, listening to music and tracking my mileage), and looked forward to the fresh feeling I had when I walked out of a class. I may have even let out an om or two here or there.

Yoga Blog

Yoga means different things to different people at different times. In the past, I saw it as a plain and simple workout for my body, and pose inspiration when courting Instagram likes in gorgeous locations. Today, I also see it as a resent button for my mind. I am still somewhat picky when it comes to classes. Anything over an hour makes me wince at sign up. Certain styles still aren’t my thing (I’m looking at you, kundalini) and I do occasionally feel a strong flare up of skepticism towards anything I classify too mystical or dippy. And, like all areas of my life, I still don’t take this one too seriously (I’ve been known to walk into a class with a Diet Coke can in hand and announce I may still be tipsy from the previous evening’s adventures.) But overall, my flexibility has increased tenfold – the flexibility required to keep an open mind.

What’s Next?

Now, trying new classes is a part of my travel routine. In the past few months I’ve taken SUP yoga in Bermuda, tried aerial yoga in Martha’s Vineyard, squeezed in a lunchtime class in a loft in Boston, took a live bluegrass-backed class at Bonnaroo, participated in a group Buti Yoga class on the beach in Brooklyn, and hunkered down for some straight up hot yoga in a no-frills strip mall studio in my hometown.

For now, I’m piecing together classes whenever and wherever they fit into my travels. When I return to Koh Tao in the fall, I plan try out a few new studios, keep an eye out for more intensive workshops and perhaps invest in some private classes to try to tackle some personally challenging poses. I’ve also started looking into yoga retreats and, dare I say it, even dreaming about someday attending a teacher training — and trying to think when that would fit into my budget and schedule. This training program in Hawaii caught my eye, as have a few in Bali.

Yoga on the Road

So Tell Me…

Do you practice yoga? Do you look for it when you travel? I want to hear all about it. Tell me what yoga blogs and Instagram accounts you follow. Tell me what yoga YouTube videos you do when you’re stuck in a hotel room. Tell me what yoga books you’ve read.  Tell me what amazing retreats you’ve been to, or perhaps even what teacher training you loved. I’ll see you in the comments.

.

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95 Comments...
  • Sarah
    July 27 2015

    I just envy the poses you can do……

    I couldn’t imagine a day being able to do half of them. I have a shorter body and longer legs (this is my excuse btw), and I always end up being the person that falls over doing a slightly difficult pose.

    Even when I do manage said poses…… I have a boyfriend that will push me over anyways!

    I do enjoy yoga – it’s great fun 🙂

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Haha, you guys sound like a couple that I would smile to see in my class 🙂

  • Kelly
    July 27 2015

    I’ve thought about getting into yoga MANY times in my life, and have half-heartedly attempted it by taking an occasional class or even watching yoga videos at home. But I always end up being too intimidated to really get into it, since I’m not super flexible and suck at balancing. I’d still love to give it another try, I’m just not sure if I’m quite there yet!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      You know what they say about practice… 🙂

  • Katie
    July 27 2015

    A lot of what you describe has been so similar to my yoga journey (eye rolls, a lot of them, at first even)! I do find the breathing and strength building aspect really help with my other forms of exercise (such as running and hiking), and my overall health in general (like dealing with stress). It’s a pretty big part of my life now 🙂

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I do feel that it really complements my other workouts. When people say, “Oh, I couldn’t do yoga, I like to really sweat at the gym,” I say great, do that too! It’s all part of an overall wellness, body and mind.

  • Janice Stringer
    July 27 2015

    Hi Alex,
    Funnily enough I love Kundalini Yoga – all that chanting and breaths of fire tis great fun for me!
    🙂

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      To be fair, I’ve only tried it twice. But I disliked both classes so much I can’t see myself going back for a third!

  • Jessica
    July 27 2015

    I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years, and have learned to remind myself that the more my mind wants to fight being present in class, and the more I want to not be still, the more I need it at that moment!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      So true Jessica. Sometimes I think of it as training my brain!

  • Diana
    July 27 2015

    I can’t recommend the Yoga With Adriene YouTube channel highly enough! The lessons are bite-sized (most are 20-40 minutes) and Adriene is down to earth and hilarious, a radical departure from other channels that are either too intimidating or hippy-dippy. There’s a 30 day challenge, as well as practices tailored to different states/moods (including Yoga for Hangovers :D)

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      NOW YOU’RE TALKING. Ha, I’ve never heard of Yoga with Adriene but you had me at yoga for hangovers! 😉

  • Jess
    July 27 2015

    Hi Alex!

    First, I am grateful that you have started to mention yoga in your blog. Had I not been reading it, I would have had no idea that class opportunities could be located all throughout the world. I’m quite interested/excited to explore these opportunities!

    I’m late to the yoga bandwagon. Currently, I’m doing a crossfit workout 60 day program but am looking for a similar 60 day/90 day program for yoga in which the classes, as you stated above, is not more than an hour. I started getting into yoga when DVD programs such as Insanity and P90x started to incorporate it into their stretches.

    On a final note, I am insanely enviable of your ability to do crow. You – and everyone else – make it look so easy and I can’t even balance *one* knee on my elbow. Perhaps in the future.

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Thanks for those kudos, Jess. Sometimes I wonder if people are hearing me say the same things about different places (seeking salad/ doing yoga/ loving beaches, ha) so it’s nice to hear it’s appreciated by some. Crow is one of my favorites but I’ve been working hard on headstand lately. Almost there!

  • becky hutner
    July 27 2015

    I totally relate to the line “Yoga means different things to different people at different times.” When I first started yoga in my early 20s, I was a raging insomniac and my life was out of control. Yoga played a huge role in curing the insomnia and ushering in a sense of calm. Still, for the 10 years I practiced, it was mostly a workout to me — I was not into the om’s or shavasana and especially not the hippie dippie sermons from my teachers. I finally had to stop because of back issues (yes, yoga can hurt as well as heal!). And I’ve just recently returned, but to a very different style that would have been WAY too slow for me in my 20s but is exactly what I need right now — Yin Yoga. Basically a series of stretches you hold for 5ish minutes at a time. So yoga’s been a healer, a form of exercise, an adversary and now, back to an ally in healing again!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I have literally fallen asleep in a yin yoga class before. Granted, I haven’t tried it in years… maybe time to give it another go! I really want to check out the studio you recommended next time I’m in LA!

  • I originally started yoga when I stopped dancing and I, too, was convinced that I would be super good at it. And then my eyes started rolling and I just got super bored. I have found, however, that if you find a certain style…a morning class does WONDERS. I have to agree that Kundalini is not for me. Nor is Bikram! I’m still discovering what works, but your Central America yoga tour is definitely inspiring!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      So great to hear that Amanda. I do like morning classes but actually evening ones are my favorite… I find that’s when I really need to pause and unwind after getting wound up by work all day!

  • Marni
    July 27 2015

    I’m a little bit envious of your flexibility and love of yoga. I’ve tried to get into it, but for various reasons (from a lack of interest all the way to bloody noses during downward-facing dog), I keep allowing myself to fall out of it. I guess the trick is to keep it up, even if it’s just once a week like you did. Next time you’re in Canada, if you make your way to Ottawa, ON in the summertime, you can attend our free yoga on the Hill! It’s an hour (I think) yoga session on the grass in front of Parliament.

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      That sounds awesome, Marni. I love outdoor classes!

  • Jenia
    July 27 2015

    I love yoga — because it gives me a chance not to think about things / plan / analyze while doing something else. There’s not too many other activities out there that allow me to escape reality like that! Speaking of yoga and various styles — a girlfriend of mine spent a lot of time in Bonaire in recent months where she combined yoga with freediving and also taught SUP Yoga — both of which I think you would be interested in! Her blog is here: https://theyogahobo.com/freediving-the-calm-of-the-blue/

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      What a coincidence — I’m in Bonaire right now! Can’t wait to check her blog out!

  • I love yoga, and like you I used to stick up my nose at the third eye comments and the hippie “oms”. Now I embrace them and try to focus on each moment during my time on the mat. The still poses are the toughest for me, quieting my mind and meditating are something I am constantly working towards. My favorite YouTube yogi by far is Yoga With Adriene. She’s genuine, funny, kind, and urges you to “find what feels good” instead of doing robotic yoga magazine poses. Definitely check her out if you haven’t already!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Awesome, second recommendation for Yoga with Adriene! I love it when you guys make it easy for me 🙂

  • Om Shanti Om Yoga school in Rishikesh is really good if you come over here. 🙂

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I admit that India still intimidates me as a travel destination, Zoe! I’m sure I’ll have to get over that at some point…

  • Meghan
    July 27 2015

    I am a Registered Yoga Teacher, and identify with everything you have written!

    I think the biggest piece of advice I could give you from the other side of the mat is: based on your lifestyle, do you need to attend teacher training? Becoming a yoga teacher means that your classes are not your practice – it’s someone else’s. What are your goals for yourself? If it is just to deepen your practice and knowledge, then do yoga retreats until the cows come home! If you feel like you want to just offer some classes as you go along, or do more intimate gatherings of your friends to do informal classes, then you don’t need the pricey investment of teacher training. It’s all about what you are wanting to get from it!

    I will add that I enjoy hearing about your yogic adventures across the globe, because I have had similar experiences. In addition to my own classes, when traveling I’m usually just leading a small group or just myself…and that’s often very fulfilling!!

    Namaste. 🙂

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I don’t think I would use my hypothetical certification to teach group classes (though who knows!) However, I assume there are plenty of people who do it to deepen their practice and learn theory and skills they couldn’t elsewhere? I know there are so many people who do their divemaster course recreationally without planning to use their professional certification afterwards, for example. But I would definitely sign up for a few retreats before I’d consider that investment! Because it does seem to be a huge one.

  • Yoga can definitely balance your life – in more than one way. I’m a yogi myself, and I went on a 4 week yoga retreat in Bali last year. It was AMAZING; especially hatha yoga and the meditation classes. Following your yoga adventures around the world has been very inspiring <3

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Wow, a four week retreat, that’s intense! Where did you do it — would you recommend? Feel free to respond with blog post links 🙂

  • Lauren
    July 27 2015

    I’m so glad you wrote about this! My friend, a very non-yoga-type friend, suggested Yoga with Adriene. I don’t know why I tried it, because I really was never inerested in yoga. But Adriene made me fall in love with yoga. I don’t really know how. Up until now, I always thought it was excruciatingly boring. But after a month or so of practice (almost every day!), my body and mind have changed… I think I’m addicted! It feels like something I can stick with for the long term. And seeing you do it while traveling is great inspiration. I’ve loved the pictures you’ve posted of your yoga journey, and I’d love to hear you write more about it. In my opinion, mental and physical health are a huge part of travel (especially long-term travel). And yoga is an unexpected solution for that, at least for me and you. Thanks again for sharing!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Man, third call for Yoga with Adriene! I’m so excited to go watch her channel as soon as I sign off here 🙂

  • Lauren
    July 27 2015

    PS- If you have any not-too-hippy-dippy book recommendations about the basics of the philosophy and the practice, please share!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I’m still looking! I’ve asked a few yoga friends but nothing has come up yet. Currently reading Yoga Bitch which is neither about the basics of philosophy or practice, but is pretty funny nonetheless!

  • Tammy
    July 27 2015

    Thank you so much for sharing this! I loved the part about class being too long and slow. When I first tried yoga I thought of it only as a workout too. During a long pose I would think about all the work I could be doing and how boring it was. LOL
    When I changed my way of looking at it and realized it could be a time to slow down, connect and be mindful, then I started to love it (okay maybe like it at first) 🙂
    I have a yoga app that I really like because it’s only 5 minute sessions but you can do more than one if you want. It’s called 5 minute yoga.

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      That sounds perfect for a really busy day or when you just want to do a micro workout before you hop in the shower — who doesn’t have five minutes to spare? Love it, will have to download!

  • Jill
    July 27 2015

    I just discovered yoga and it is the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. I’ve never felt confident in my physical abilities but yoga has changed that. I still have a long way to go but I already can see how positive it has been for me. I have found a new passion. Who knew?

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Clearly I can relate! Love hearing everyone else’s yoga stories too 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  • caroline
    July 27 2015

    I so get this. I’ve dabbled in yoga and I see it at something for future me [not sure why]. But I’ve had the same relationship with running. I used to despise it but its one of the few things that really works for my body and now I’ve really come to love it. Not the ‘I cant wait to put on my shoes’ kinda love. More like ‘I’m really glad I did that’ kinda love 😉 To each his own. Whatever gets your body movin and your mind clear!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I always love running… for the first five miliseconds, ha. Actually I really hate it but I do feel good when it’s over, and it’s hard in a way that I know is good for my body. I need to do it way more often!

  • Beth
    July 27 2015

    You’re exactly like me when I started yoga, except I’m better at the strength moves, am ok with balance, and terrible with anything that requires a lot of flexibility! I’ve been doing yoga for years now and still can’t get into a wheel pose. But that’s the thing about yoga, it forces you to realise that things take time and patience, and that yoga is more about the process than what you achieve. It’s not a competitive sport.
    I’m also planning on doing my yoga teacher training in India, since it’s super cheap there and is the birth place of yoga!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I love when teachers demonstrate a pose so beautifully, and then share that it took them years to master it. Always so inspiring! Makes me wonder what I might find my body can do some day. It is a process!

  • Danie
    July 27 2015

    Follow Me!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Awesome portraits from Coney Island!

  • Elisa K
    July 27 2015

    This post makes me realize how much I need yoga back in my life. I was literally a better person all around when I practiced. You have inspired me!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      What an awesome comment to read, Elisa 🙂 Hope this was the push you needed to get back into the swing of things!

  • sarah
    July 27 2015

    Hey Alex, I can totally relate to your yoga journey. As a full time traveler I find it to be a great way to work out the kinks and because you don’t need equipment it’s a good go to when you don’t have access to a gym. However I have also struggled with aspects of it mostly due to my ADHD…an hour or more of slow, focused movements can be challenging to say the least. Ironically it’s also one of the most beneficial things I can to do tame the wild child in me that just wants to run and play! For that reason I stick with it and I have to say that the more I practice the more I love it.

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Often the things that challenge us the most are indeed the most rewarding! It’s often a struggle to peel myself from my computer for an hour long class but rarely if ever do I regret it.

  • Erin
    July 27 2015

    I can relate to this post in regards to the eye roll thing..and I know what you mean about the “hippy-dippy” thing. There’s this hot yoga studio in my city I sometimes go to, though I haven’t been for months. When I’m actually in the class, the thoughts in my head are something like “Holy shit it’s hot in here, I can’t wait to get out!!” and I find it hard to really get “into it” you know? But the feeling I have afterwards is what gets me to come back! This post made me think it’s time to get back to it 😉

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Ha, I do sometimes get actually angry at how hot it is in a hot yoga class. I don’t need air conditioning, but please don’t turn on the heat! I get enough in the tropics 🙂

  • Kate
    July 28 2015

    I relate to how you practice yoga (except I do it in Seattle pretty much exclusively 😉 ) but the more I do it, the more I want to be aware that what I’m participating in is only they physical branch of ‘yoga’, which obviously has roots in Indian spirituality and religion. What is practiced now by so many people is definitely a different, westernized form of yoga. Which is totally cool, and I hate the hippy dippy stuff in my daily life (I do not om), and I love a good 1 hour vinyasa. But I think it’s important to be aware! And I think I like reading up on it because India is on my travel list and I think it is an incredibly fascinating country and culture.

    I love your blog and your photos, it’s my favorite travel blog to read and I’ve been following for months now, thank you!

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Thank you Kate, that means so much! I do agree that the history and culture of yoga is fascinating. I’d love to learn more about it some day!

  • Katie
    July 28 2015

    I used to be the same as you were and thought yoga was too slow paced as I was into the gym and doing body pump classes, but in the past few years I have moved away from the gym and have been mainly hiking and doing yoga to stay fit and healthy and I have found that, for me, this works better and I am in better shape now than when I went to the gym. I enjoy it a lot more too

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I LOVE Body Pump. So so good! I even found one in Chiang Mai once. What a class! Have to say I agree with you though, I’d take hiking over a cardio machine any day.

  • Rachel
    July 28 2015

    I took my first class when I was 13 and it’s been on and off since then (I’m 21). I wish I had practiced more consistently all those years since I’m sure I could have been quite the Instagram yoga badass with fancy poses and the like. Still, I usually make a class once a week or so and I sometimes find myself doing a YouTube video at home. I’m surprised you manage to do it hungover – yoga is one of those things I can really only embrace when I’m in a semi- healthy state of mind. If I try and do it when I’m bloated from fast food or running on no sleep, I just get bored and impatient and even more stressed.

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Amazing how every body is so different! When I’ve been taking poor care of myself, yoga feels great — like a one hour cleanse. Of course, it feels awesome when I’ve been doing awesome too — I guess it never feels really bad for me. And hey, it’s never too late to start that Instagram account 😉

  • Jana
    July 28 2015

    I am really into this whole Yoga and Meditation thing right now but am still looking for a way to start with yoga. There is a yoga studio right next to where I live but it is very expensive. I have been looking into Apps and youtube videos but I was never sure if I was doing the poses correctly. That is the main advantage when doing it with a professional teacher who can correct one!

    We are going to Indonesia in October and I already found a place in Ubud that I’d like to go to for a lesson. I really think yoga practice would do me good considering that I am sitting at a desk most of the day which makes my back hurt…

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      Some yoga studios have pretty good one-time deals for new students (an unlimited week or month for a cheaper than normal rate, for example) — have you asked about that? Might be a nice way to go get comfortable with the poses, and then you could do at home once you’ve had feedback from a real life instructor!

    • Lauren
      August 22 2018

      Hey Jana, just curious if you’d recommend a certain place in Ubud for a self-planned yoga retreat? I know this is a few years later but I’m heading that way and would love to hear what you have to say!

  • Lovely post Alex! I have also had a tumultuous relationship with yoga. I always wanted to stay away from it since I am naturally very UN-flexible. I ended up getting really into when I discovered it was the only thing that helped quiet my chaotic mind during a stressful period in my life. It also helped to figure out that you didn’t have to be flexible to start yoga, flexibility will come with a consistent practice. I took yoga teacher training to have a stronger individual practice since that was the only way I was going to keep it up as a full-time traveler! Have you ever tried a class at Corepower? That is who I did my training through and their classes are solid.

    • Alex
      July 30 2015

      I have not, but that’s who my cousin recently did her training through, so I need to check them out! I also heard a rumor the first class is free at every location…

  • Leah
    July 28 2015

    I was so jealous seeing all the yoga you’d been doing in Central America. It’s something I’ve been really itching to get back into lately and haven’t been able to make the time for it yet on my travels, but I really do feel the calming/balancing effects that the practice has when it’s a regular part of my life. I’ve found some awesome routines on YouTube in the past. Maybe I’ll have to start those up again!

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      I’ll take you to my favorite studios in Koh Tao 🙂

  • I think the great thing about yoga is that you can totally find your niche. There are so many different ways to practice that if you don’t enjoy a class there is always a slightly different one to find down the road.

    After struggling through ‘power yoga’ for many moons and feeling a little sick being coerced in to inversions I found a class that concentrates a lot more on the mental aspects. Every time I left a class I felt lighter, and now I’m more inclined to do fewer poses with more breath work. It’s a workout for my mind, if I can say that without sounding too wanky.

    Oh, and my friend did her teacher training in Goa and LOVED it.

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      That’s awesome and yes I agree — you have to find the class that’s right for you. I love checking out different studios and yoga hopping so I think the search is part of the fun!

  • I’ve always loved the idea of yoga. I’ve dipped my little toe into the world a few times (bought a couple of DVDs and a yoga mat) but always felt like too much of a flummox to submerge my blubber completely ;). This has inspired me to give it more of a go! I really believe it’s the perfect way to take time out, centre yourself and feel at one with the space you’re in. I’m going to keep at it! Thanks Alex,

    Gabby

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      Good luck, Gabby! I agree with you — there’s nothing quite like it to clear my head and leave me feeling fresh.

  • Yasmine
    July 29 2015

    I’ve just started getting into yoga myself. I’m the same as you, super flexible but my balance sucks! So it’s a learning curve, but I absolutely love it so far. I prefer going to classes, but if I’m somewhere without them, then Yoga With Adriene is a great resource!

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      Man, how have I not heard of this chick before?! So excited to check out her channel now that so many of you have mentioned her!

  • Sofie
    July 29 2015

    I just took my first online class:D It was only 10 minutes so I don’t think it really counts, but I’m very curious about yoga as so many people talk highly of it and also because it’s something that’s “easy” to do while traveling, whereas taking hip hop classes… not so much.
    I do find it overwhelming. There are so many different styles that I find it hard to decide where to start. Also, unlike you, I’m not flexible *at all* and so I do really need beginner’s classes:D

    Would love to read about the other work-outs you do, by the way:)

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      Oh, if I did a running post it would just be sad… I’m barely any better than when I started and I still hate it passionately, ha. Okay that’s being too hard on myself, I did run a 10K this summer! Though it was a struggle and I definitely did some walking along the route…

  • Susan
    July 29 2015

    I love this post, Alex. I started practicing yoga last year and was really enjoying the benefits of it, but I had to stop for a while due to a surgery. (My husband said the first thing I asked when I came out of anesthesia was, “Can I still do yoga?!”) Your post is the reminder I needed to get back into it. And I’ll put do-yoga-in-a-travel-location on my bucket list!

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      Ha, that’s funny… I’m terrified of what I might say when I come out of anesthesia!

  • Sasha
    July 30 2015

    An excuse to come to SA 🙂
    https://www.surfsupyoga.co.za/index.html

    • Alex
      July 31 2015

      As if I needed one!

  • Serendipity Tess
    August 3 2015

    You found your way to the mat because you are hyper flexible…te he he…I SO wish I could say the same. I found my way to the mat for the exact contrary: I’m so inflexible it’s disturbing (I can’t even do the downward dog with straight legs…how’s that for one hell of a tight pair of hamstrings?!). I try to do Yoga in every place I visit, but I must say, I suck in keeping a routine up…but it is a big goal of mine to manage one day. After the storm has passed back at home, I’ll hopefully fly back to Guatemala and continue with my travels…and it’ll be me and the mat to work through this pain.

    On another note: FF’s sake…I missed the Travel Blog success sale again! When is the next one on? 🙁

    • Alex
      August 5 2015

      I’m not sure Tess! They only tell me a few days before the sale 🙁 Sorry you missed this one!

  • Bruce
    August 4 2015

    Don’t have to go to church to make a prayer, nor you have find a mat to do yoga..

    • Alex
      August 5 2015

      Indeed you don’t. Great quote!

  • Emily
    August 4 2015

    I also have recently gotten into yoga and love fitting it into my travels. Alex, my question for you is How do you find classes in English when you travel? Or do you just wing it and hope you can figure it out if there’s a language barrier?

    • Alex
      August 5 2015

      That is a great question, Emily! Actually I have not encountered that issue once so far — every class I’ve ever taken has been in English (the universal travel language) or bilingual (English and Spanish). I have seen Spanish language classes advertised in Latin America and even in Thailand but they are always marked as such on the schedule. I’d love to take a class in a totally foreign-to-me language someday…. seems like it would be a cool experience!

  • Joella
    August 4 2015

    I don’t know how I missed this post, Alex! I love yoga but have never really managed to fit it permanently into my schedule- something I’m trying to change and I’ve found a great place I can cycle down the beach to on my little beach cruiser bike! I’m also picky about classes and styles but I think I’m the opposite of you in terms of flexibility/balance though. I’m good at balancing but not very flexible!

    • Alex
      August 5 2015

      Ah, cycling down the beach to a yoga class sounds like my idea of heaven!

  • Amy M
    August 5 2015

    I dip in and out of yoga, i go through stages where i really enjoy the quiet it brings to me, but other time i prefer the chaos of lifting / running. Right now i’m going through a lazy phase and can’t be bother with any of it haha. I do however LOVE inversions – working on transitioning from headstand to handstand is quite the challenge, but one that i’m enjoying! xo

    • Alex
      August 6 2015

      Me too! I’d love to find an inversion workshop somewhere. Right now I’m constantly on the move and struggling to find time to get to classes but am so looking forward to focusing back on yoga when I’m settled back down next month.

  • sophia
    August 28 2015

    I don’t usually comment on blogs like this, but I’m so excited after reading this page I just couldn’t hold back! I discovered your blog today, initially I was looking for info on burning man. I’ve been reading your different articles for hours now, and you’re getting me very inspired to live a life of travel, like I’ve always wanted to. thank you!!

    Anyway, the reason I was so excited is because I live in Hawaii, and I just recently completed the teacher training program you linked, at Hawaii Yoga Institute.It is a truly life changing program, and has been the best decision I’ve ever made. The instructors are top notch, very diverse and so down to earth. I feel I learned more in that 3 week program than I did at college! I just wanted to give you a mini-review and recommendation, in case you’re seriously considering it. I’d love to answer any questions, if you have any about the program or Hawaii travel. 🙂

    • Alex
      August 30 2015

      Hey Sophia! That’s awesome! I adore Hawaii and am very drawn to that program — so it’s great to hear someone recommend it! I’ll definitely get in touch when and if (I hope when) it becomes a reality for me!

  • Veronika
    October 15 2015

    I literally have had zero enthusiasm for yoga until this post. My body is really stiff and I’ve lost a lot of my flexability. My friend just started some kind of online yoga for beginners class, and I wasn’t interested at first, but now I might go join it. At least until I learn the basics, after which I could join a live class, and not make a total fool of myself.

    • Alex
      October 15 2015

      Yay! Excited to hear you’re keen to give it a go. Best of luck — yoga is for everyone!

  • Mohita
    December 7 2015

    Love your blog and the whole concept of wanderlust. It takes courage to step out of your comfort zone and travel around the world. I’m from India and currently living in Chicago. I’ve learnt yoga in India and its amazing to see the kind of peaceful effect it has on the body and soul. You should visit India once! You will love it there 🙂

    • Alex
      December 9 2015

      Someday 🙂 Thank you so much for the kind words on my blog, Mohita!

  • Brandon @ TheYogaNomads
    December 21 2015

    So cool to read your story!

    • Alex
      December 26 2015

      Thanks Brandon. Happy yoga-ing 🙂

  • Christel
    January 24 2016

    I’m going 4 months to South East Asia in a week (sooo exited! :D) and I’ve just started yoga (with the help of Yoga With Adriane – doing her two 30 days of yoga camps). I have really grown to love yoga over the past 2 months doing yoga every day for 15-50 min, and I really want to keep practicing during my travels! When you travel do you bring your own mat along, make do without or just attend classes frequently and use theirs?

    • Alex
      January 25 2016

      I just find classes and use their mats, and sometimes do videos in my room with a towel or something similar. High five for Yoga with Adriane — love her!

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