My yoga practice met me with wonderful people with whom we share common interests and passions. That’s why, today, I chose the most charming yoga instructors from Bulgaria to share their own traveling experience. I asked them to advise us on how to travel mindfully and that’s what they answered:
BG (Йога инструкторите съветват: Как да пътуваме осъзнато?)
Ekaterina Kioseva from eterina.me:
In my opinion, we must first remember that we are traveling every day. The trip is not only linked with a plane ticket and a runaway from the urban environment. Every single day is a little adventure. One-step and then another step. Over and over again. For me to travel mindfully is to understand the essence of the movement itself and to be able to dance with the circumstances by accepting them as they are. When I am preparing my suitcase, I put my curiosity, my enthusiasm, and my willingness to find out more about myself through new experiences. And what they would be? I couldn’t know that in advance because I wouldn’t be interesting!
Marina Zheleva from Art and Yoga Retreat:
The last few years, I have been traveling a lot, always with a small luggage bag and no plans. That is why my personal unwritten rules for a mindful journey are: do not expect anything, leave at home with the illusion to control, and wherever you go, try to leave cleaner behind you than it used to be. I try to apply the principles of minimalism and to live with less, following the zero waste rule, to wear a bottle of water, a coffee cup, and other reusable containers; not to buy touristic objects with no value, to use the shared ride as far as I can, etc. However, the most important is the understanding that every place I visit is a unique manifestation of the beauty of Mother Nature, and we are there in the mood of admiration, gratitude, humility and here we are to worship.
Nevena Chervenakova from Nevena Yoga and Art:
Plan the basics of your trip but leave space for unplanned meetings, new adventures, and unplanned things to happen. The new experiences in a different culture are like a restart for your brain. When something goes wrong and you cannot change it, all you can do is to accept it аnd moving forward. Very helpful is focusing on your breathing to unwind and center. Traveling light gives you freedom and you realize that you do not need much for your comfort. I always have a light and compact travel mat in the backpack and roll it off in a suitable place for yoga (often in the mountains or at the park).
Simona Dimitrova from GoYogaFlow:
Pack as light as you can and leave more space for souvenirs and gifts. Learn how to say “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye” to the local language and talk to the locals as much as you can. Do not self-indulge if you can not devote time to your practice. Instead, enjoy the place and be open to different experiences. Sometimes the true insights come in between the yoga practices.
Tanya Varbanova from Yoga with Tanya:
For me, a mindful journey implies making mindful choices. The choice of walking instead of using transportation, the choice of eating local instead of the international chains, the choice of contemplation before taking pictures… Get lost, wander around as this is when we are most curious and present. Walking the paths of maps might be safe but making our own is definitely more interesting.
A mindful journey can also be inward, towards yourself, instead of outward, towards the others. This kind of journey can also happen while traveling. We must, however, first pay attention to our inner landscape as only then we are truly open to receive the beauty of the outside world…
What is for you to travel mindfully? Share in the comment section below!
P.S. The pictures are kindly provided by Ekaterina Kioseva, Nevena Chervenakova, Simona Dimitrova, Tanya Varbanova, Marina Zheleva. Thank you, girls!
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Love this! I am going to Bali in June and CANT WAIT to travel like this and see the yogi inspiration there!
Natalie
http://www.thegracereal.com
I love doing yoga. I’m traveling to Bali this month. This will be very helpful for me. Thanks for bringing this up.
I love the advice to plan your trip but leave room for unexpected adventures. So often, we pack our itineraries with back to back activities, not leaving time for the spontaneous.
I really love this! I love the tips on having no expectations and just taking things as they come. I often get stressed out if the itinerary isn’t going to plan, but it’s not about the plan: it’s about the experience. I shall also endeavour to make it a mission to leave a place cleaner than I arrived. Wonderful idea. Thank you for putting these all together for us x
Being mindful in all areas of life is a must. I love this. It is a great reminder for all of us. I love the mindful packing light. I need this one.
I love this post! These are wonderful tips, and I am keeping it in mind for my next adventure.
Really good advice! I am one of those people that over plan and over pack. I definitely can learn something from this, thanks!
I’ve never had much opportunity to travel and I have never been outside the southern USA, but I’ve always wanted to and if I get the chance to I will take these tidbits with me. However, most of the advice here can be applied to short travels into new cities or states. I believe in the gracefulness and respect of other places and people that comes from acting in a mindful way. I’m also of the mindset that experiencing alternative ways of life can expand your way of thinking and promote compassion and understanding. I appreciate all the views shared here by these yoga teachers and will do my best to implement their advice into as many areas of my own experience as I can. Thank you!
Great advice. I think we all need a continual reminder to be mindful during our travels, and in our everyday life. Interesting that so many people mentioned packing light and minimalism. It is so freeing to be able to travel in this way.
Packing light is a must! I loved this insightful post!
I love your advice on traveling mindfully through life. It’s living with your eyes wide open!
What a great topic! I feel like sometimes traveling can be so stressful it’s hard to stay in the moment and enjoy where you are 🙂
ahhh I love doing yoga I need to get back into it. Really clears my mind
Totally agree – travelling is not just about movement or buying that plane ticket. Its about the essence of the adventure and making mindful choices. Love this post!
Ooo I really liked this! I love that first thought about how we’re always travelling so mindfulness can be an everyday practice. Also love the idea of packing light and making mindful decision – even for small things like how to get around. Great post!
Love this post and how it shows a different way of viewing traveling and how to prep/pack for any trip! I need to be more mindful when it comes to travel 🙂