Travel yoga tips with disability

They say 90% of yoga happens off the mat. How is this possible, you might ask?

Well it can be somewhat easy to tune in when your in the yoga class, on the mat, distractions limited. But how do you tune in to peace when the world is screaming at you?

How can you create a truly sustainable yoga practice?

What better place to do yoga than at an airport or on a plane?

Lots of stroke survivors don’t travel because it takes too much effort, the walking, the time management, the crowds it can send even the most healthy body into an anxiety attack, so how does a stroke survivor manage these hurdles and still live a fulfilling life after a stroke?

After a 20 hour journey to India, countless domestic flights and my most recent trip to Central America my three best tips are:

  1. TAKE BREAKS!!

  2. BREATHE

  3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! in every country you will find friendly faces.

    I have put together these 5 yoga poses that are so simple and effective you can do them without anyone noticing.

    See, this is where are yoga off the mat comes in.

    When life is living and we feel overwhelmed how do we manage to maintain sanity?

    A 5 minute break can make a world of difference!

    YOGA POSES FOR TRAVEL

  1. Pranayama (breath expansion)

    -Simplest yoga breath is a belly inhale for a count of 2 and an exhale for count of 4. Inhale nose exhale nose or mouth. 2:4, or 1:2 ratio as well.

    -Feeling overwhelmed by noise, try Ujjayi breath( constrict back of throat to make seashell sound with breath- those close to you will hear this) but you’ll sound like Darth Vader and encourage them to relax as well, very calming breath.

    -Feeling overheated try Sitali breath( curled tongue inhale from mouth or inhale through teeth if you can’t curl your tongue like me) its very cooling and energizing for the body.

    -Trying to sleep on the plane try 4-7-8 breath. Inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale 8.

  2. Tadasana ( mountain pose) seated or standing

    your feet are firmly grounded, shoulders up and back, support for back against wall or chair is nice, option to close eyes and just breathe.

  3. Balasana (Seated Childs pose)

    I guarantee you’ve sat like this before, never knowing you were in a yoga asana. Bringing the torso close or in between the thighs and resting there, keeping head at neutral. you can use elbows or forearms for support on the thighs is you want and just rest.

  4. Uttanasana (Seated forward fold) you can also do this standing

    Similar to child’s pose, as in the torso and thighs meet, but in forward fold the head releases down.

    ***forward folding is never about reaching the toes or floor***

  5. Savasana (final resting pose)

    find a super comfy position to rest in with your head supported, slightly reclined with legs extended is nice but with limited room try to support head, close eyes and breathe.

Final reminder, download you favorite calming meditation tracks or music, put your headphones in and drift away into an alternate yoga universe,

Enjoy your travels!!!!

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Yoga retreats with a Disability