Yoga Travels

my journey

Whether we are traveling to places and specific destinations or traveling through time, travel in itself is a journey.

In life we often like to stay in our comfort zone and like predictability, for we fear the known.

However, in my experience, the journey of yoga has been about moving away from the comfort zone and embracing unpredictability. Change is never easy for there is always this fear of unknown. As much as we fear unknown, unknown can also be a place of beauty, knowledge and wisdom.

The practice of yoga helps us discover many aspect of ourselves that we never knew that existed before. Self awareness, introspection, our strength and weakness get highlighted through this practice. There is immense knowledge and wisdom that we gain on the way in this journey that has no destination.

The journey of yoga can pose some struggles but also take us to places we never discovered before. Discovery, exploration, adventures and fun are some of the things that one can expect in this journey.

Whether we are exploring the outside or our inside world, yoga adds more beauty and brings more meaning and purposeful in our journey of life.

Traveling and living around the world became even more beautiful through the practice of yoga. Embracing different cultures, religions ethnicities, and diversities in people, food and weather!

Join me in this beautiful journey of the unknown!!!

Let the practice reveal the journey...

Ardha Chandrasana, Half Moon Pose

Seville, Spain - February 2020

The moon symbolizes relaxation, illumination, a cooling effect and also darkness.The shape of the moon changes in cycles, same with the half moon pose which has a few modifications. It is one of my favourite standing balancing poses!

The Half moon pose strengthens the hips, the legs, calves, ankles and the spine. It also works on stability, balance and concentration.

If there is one place I want to revisit it would have to be Seville. I loved it’s fresh feel and getting lost on the colorful streets of Barrio de Santa cruz. What really stuck with me was the relaxed vibe, food diversity, friendly people, and fresh oranges! The Alcazar of Seville symbolised the confluence of religions which made it a very interesting monument. The relaxed vibe should not be mistaken for a lack of energy as the city has abundant energy which can be witnessed in the traditional dance of Flamenco!

In yoga the moon symbolizes feminine energy that is relaxed, nurturing and is cooling. Can we see any similarities between Halfmoon and the city of Seville? Can we channelize this energy of the half moon in our body?

Vrakasana, Tree Pose

Goa, India - August 2019

The tree pose is a pose of balance, of grounding and centering. It’s one of the basic standing poses that one build upon. You can bring your own expression to this tree pose. Here am bending side ways and incorporated an element of crescent.

The first time I travelled to north Goa was in 2000 to celebrate the millennium. And then 19 years later to south Goa. Both the experiences were strikingly different. This was one of the best vacation I took with my girls. A memory that will always stay fresh in my mind. The early morning walks on the beach and seeing huge crowds of fisherman that came to track the fish made these walks and beaches different than others. There was this raw and rustic fee to it. Amongst other, practicing yoga, swimming, enjoying the fresh coconut water every day, eating delicious goan food. One of the best things I ever had was the jaggery crepes! Took an old city tour visited some beautiful churches and loved the simplicity of Se Cathedral.

Here finding my root amongst these tall and magnificent palm trees in this ancient city in Goa!

Utthitha Hasta Padangusthasana, Standing Big Toe Pose

Acadia National Park, US - August 2018

Standing hand to big toe pose is an advanced standing position. To enter the posture the practitioner needs to focus on balance and stability by keeping the eyes relaxed and focusing on the breath.

Apart from balance and stability it requires flexibility in hamstrings and the hip joint. Of course it doesn’t happen in a day but slowly over time the body opens and make way for the posture.

I enjoyed trying this pose at the Jordon pond in Acadia nation park. The surface of the rock was less stable and the fear of water all around made it even harder for me.

Yoga has taught me over the years to find balance between fear and freedom. Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. It keeps us safe. So next time if fear grips you, try taking relaxed and deep ujjayi (victorious) breaths.

This pose develops greater concentration and improves focus so we can see more freedom beyond that fear. The hike around the Jordon pond made our trip to the Acadia national park truly memorable!

Astavakrasana, Eight Angle Pose

Maine, US - June 2017

Is a pose dedicated to Sage Astavkra, who was born crippled but he was a very wise and a learned sage. Most yoga poses are named after mythical figures and legends.

This is an asymmetrical arm balance that teaches us not to judge people based on how they look.

We indulge in judgements most of the time. And judgements are not just for others but we also judge ourself and our capabilities. Yoga teaches us to focus on practice and focus on what we can do rather than what we can not.

So if you think that yoga is not for you, or you are inflexible and don’t look a certain way, think again?

The possibilities of yoga are endless, just like the vast ocean behind me!

Padangusthasana, Toe Stand

Boston, US - July 2016

Padangusthasana is a beautiful pose that looks so calm and serene! I always remember this quote from B.K.S “How can you know God if you do not know your big toe?”

Toe stand is a challenging yet a fun pose that demands a lot of concentration, flexibility in the hips, core strength and ankle flexibility and range of motion.

Often we think of core as only abdominal muscles but in yoga it was the first time that brought my attention to something as little as toes which can hold a huge potential to support the entire weight of the body especially in Toe stand pose. Approach this pose slowly and enjoy the journey into Toe stand. The Charles river in Boston is one of my favorite places to go whenever I visit Boston. There are so many things that one could do around Charles river and esplanades. Toe stand being one of them!

Garudasana, Eagle Pose

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Vancouver. Canada - August 2015

Garudasana known as the Eagle pose is a beautiful standing balance pose that works on opening hips at the same time stretches the shoulders and upper back. Also strengthening the calves, ankles and increasing concentration levels. It calms the mind and relaxes the nervous system. In indian mythology Garuda is referred as the king of all birds that symbolizes hope, rebirth, speed, prowess and bravery.

Walking on the bridge and looking over the vast forest provided a view from a birds eye. Practice Garudasana for an unwavering concentration! The Capilano suspension bridge is filled with lots of fun, tree top adventure, cliff walks that will make you feel soaring high.

Udharva Dhanurasana, Wheel Pose

New York City, US - June 2014

Is a full backward bend that helps rejuvenate and energize the body and the mind. It’s often said that you are as young as your spine is flexible. I find a strong connection between wheel pose and NYC. I have been living here for the last 19 years. I love its diversity and the high energy that this city offers.

I remember when I moved to NYC I didn’t like it right away but it slowly grew on me. Wheel pose didn’t happen right away. It took me a year of consistent practice and one day it just happened!

If you haven’t made a connection with yoga and don’t like the practice, try it again. It may grow on you and the connection may just happen! You never know!

Ustrasana, Camel Pose

Siem Reap, Cambodia - April 2013

Ustrasana is a beautiful backward bend a heart opener. It stretches the hip flexors, opens the shoulders, stretches the abdomen and make the spine flexible amongst the many benefits of this pose. When done correctly it works on all the systems of the body like respiratory, digestive, lymphatic and circulatory system. It stretches the throat and clears the blockages in the Vishuddha chakra that translates to Throat chakra that helps with effective communication and finding your inner voice.

Cambodia is one of the most remarkable places I have visited. It’s beauty lies in rich cultural heritage and it’s history. Are there any similarities I see between Yoga and Cambodia?