Earlier this year I sent out some intentions that I would combine my loves of travel and yoga together and get out on the road for some yoga festivals and workshops. I even went so far as to document my dream of teaching yoga on as many beaches around the world as I can. Thatβs the ultimate trifecta of doing what I love β traveling,Β teaching yoga, spending time on a beach.
Iβm here to tell you that setting intentions can be very powerful when you set your mind and your heart in the same direction and believe! Iβm living proof. This year Iβve had the opportunity to pack up my yoga mat and go to New York City for the Yoga Journal Conference,
to Santa Monica for 3 incredible days of yoga and music at the Tadasana Festival,
and to Yellow Springs, Ohio for a weekend workshop with Erich Schiffmann.
The journey to Yellow Springs included a road trip with my packed up new Road Tripper, a yoga friendly weekend bag from Manduka. If you want to take your yoga practice on the road, check out Mandukaβs Journey On Collection, which includes a number of bags that will tote your yoga mat in style to the studio, a day trip, or a longer journey.
The canvas and cotton webbing material used in my bag are both natural, renewable materials that are unbleached and use non-AZO dyes, which reduces the amount of chemicals and toxins released into the environment (and reminds me to be eco-conscious when I travel).
I love the zipper along the bottom that you can use to easily insert and remove your yoga mat.Β Itβs also super roomy to pack everything you need for a weekend of yoga bliss,
and the bottom of the bag has a reminder to keep me grounded!
When Iβm not off on a yoga travel adventure, Iβve been using my Road Tripper bag to carry yoga mats, a bolster, blocks, straps, and everything I need when I go on the road to teach private yoga sessions.
What travel dreams do you have? Right now Iβm working on my next dreamβteaching yoga on a tropical beach somewhereβso stay tuned for future announcements.
Want to get your own Journey On bag from Manduka? Save 10% on any purchase from Manduka with offer code MARIAMEDIA.
Win a FREE Manduka Day Tripper Yoga Mat bag
Where will you be journeying with your yoga practice in the coming year? Leave a comment below to let me know, and you will be entered to win a FREE Day Tripper yoga mat bag from Manduka. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, and the deadline to enter is Monday, October 8, at noon EST, when one lucky winner will be randomly selected and notified. By sharing your email address, you agree to be part of theΒ MandukaΒ email family and receive special discounts and promotions.
You will get an extra entry into this giveaway if you tweet the following message:Β Where is your yoga journey taking you? Journey On with @downwarddog & @MandukaYoga to win a Day Tripper #yoga mat bag http://bit.ly/T0FU7g
I received the Road Tripper bag mentioned in this post from Manduka. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Save 10% on any purchase from Manduka with offer code MARIAMEDIA
Physically no where but I just started yoga this year and after practicing for a few months, I took a pretty big break.
Just getting back into it, I plan on seeing how far my body can take me in the next year of my practice…I’m excited to see where I am starting now, and how I feel, and compare it in a year. That is the best journey!
Couldn’t agree more Becca – that is the best journey and the reason I keep coming back to my yoga mat!
I tweeted too! π
I’m taking the mat to Philly this. Weekend, then DC and then Berlin and Weimar in Novemeber.
No one this year but next year to the Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park Colorado.
I will be traveling to Austin this Fall to participate in some paddle yoga on Lake Travis! As a paddle yoga novice, I look forward to the new experience and new friends that I am to meet on my adventure!
Paddle or Stand Up Paddle Yoga rocks! Did you see my post about my experience? Here’s the link: https://dailydownwarddog.com/whats-sup/
Enjoy your trip!!
I travel about 70% of my time for work, and fortunately get to amazing destinations. The most recent trip was Uganda, where after a long day on dusty and incredibly bumpy roads, I practiced Bhramari breathing and shared it with a fellow traveler and friend (thanks for teaching me this awesome technique Maria!). We were sitting on a portico in the hotel courtyard and the staff thought we were crazy!! I wished I’d had my mat but don’t often take one with me. …I bet I could find room for one in my suitcase if it was tucked in this cool Manduka Day Tripper. π
Next destinations? Philadelphia then Lake Tahoe & Seattle.
Great story Cyn – thanks for sharing. Bhramari breathing never fails me in those stressful situations!
Wishing you happy & safe travels!
I’m hoping to be traveling to the Yoga Conference in Vancouver. Admittedly I’m a little nervous and shy and haven’t purchased my ticket yet – but I’m working up the courage π
Shelli –
Three words – GO FOR IT!
The Pacific NW coast, for sure! Beyond that, I’m hoping to get down South for some warm weather practice.
Such an awesome giveaway! Well next year will be crazy, but I’m sure I’ll be hitting up local studios across northeast Ohio for as many yoga workshops as I can! Also, I hope to try out a studio in Louisville KY this December and then a studio or two in Denver next year! π
Oh and definitely a studio in North Carolina next year too!
My stepson and his family moved to Tajikistan for his job and my husband and I are trying to plan a trip to see them right after the new year. I can’t imagine being away from my yoga mat that longβand after a 2-day trip (each way) I’ll need yoga more than ever!
I’m new to yoga so hopefully my journey this coming year will be all about learning more… more about yoga and myself π
Peka – that is truly the ultimate and most rewarding journey! Enjoy!
just finished ytt in costa rica in july. next may i will be attending a week long yin yoga workshop in bc, canada!
It’s a possibility that I’ll be going to NYC for one of Gina Schatz’s workshops!
Becca – that would be awesome – hope you get to do this!!
…and I tweeted!
To teach yoga every day! π
Stacey – that is the ultimate journey π
I’m trying to take my first yoga retreat somewhere outside of the country! I’m hoping Iceland in the summer!
My mat will go with me to see friends (around the US as life allows) and family (in MD and OH) throughout the fall…and while I don’t have any answers yet, my mat will see me through if I am fighting cancer or celebrating not having to fight cancer.
Next year for sure in Thailand where I will be going to participate in a friend’s wedding.
π
So far this year I’ve gone to yoga teacher training and am now teaching!!! After 8 years of practice I am finally a teacher! I will stay in Cleveland for awhile teaching, but visits to the east coast and Seattle will definitely be in my future plans and will definitely involve my yoga mat. π
Jennifer – congrats on becoming a yoga teacher!!
Please let me know where you teach in Cleveland!
Now that I’m finally on the road to recovery, there’s nowhere I won’t be taking my yoga mat! In the next year I’ll be checking out all the studios in the Portland area, hitting the Oregon and Ohio beaches, and anywhere else I can travel. My yoga mat is like a second skin!
looks like my journey will include yoga therapy and energy work. maybe aromatherapy too ! thanks for the opportunity!!
I love yoga outside best of all
I tweeted on twitter @earthdancedaph
I bring my yoga mat EVERYWHERE! I always try and find at least 10 mins to pull it out and practice where ever I am. Work, school, visiting family & friends, on vacation, out on the road…like I said, everywhere (=
I intend to take my yoga practice to as many new yoga studios as possible. I love experiencing new studios and teachers, because you learn and can take away from each experience something different to elevate your practice even more!
I don’t have any yoga travel plans, just practicing at my favorite studio here in Sagamore Hills π I do love reading about your travels, though!
My mat is always with me! Wallet, phone..yoga mat! π
I also am setting an intention to attend the YJ conference in NY. Additionally, I plan to travel into the studio more to inspire and vary my home practice.
This year I’m traveling to Taiwan (actually in 2 weeks!). After that, I’m not sure if I’ll be travelling anywhere next August when I move to San Francisco.
Thanks again to everyone that shared their yoga travel journey stories! I was inspired by them all.
I used random.org to pick the winner and Rachel was the lucky one selected!
Rachel, I’ll be in touch to get your details.
Wishing everyone safe and magical yoga journeys!