packing

I always thought travel automatically means all routine goes out the window. Dealing with jet lag, eating out, drinking too much and not exercising. I thought the ‘keep your fitness going on your business trip’ sort of magazine articles were a complete joke and nobody did them. What else were you supposed to eat at airports besides greasy pizza, fried chicken, and french fries? What can you eat at restaurants besides oversized portions of pasta? What do you mean I pack my gym clothes as a priority?

As I got older, I found out it’s a REAL THING that people do when they are on trips. They run, bring their favorite healthy foods and snacks, pack gym clothes, yoga mats, iPods full of workout music, running shoes and even decide where to book a hotel based on their workout/dietary needs.

MIND BLOWN!

And I decided to give it a try.

Some things have worked better than others. Here’s a list of things I bring with me during my trips.

1) An empty water bottle

Flying is incredibly dehydrating, and buying bottled water everywhere you go can add up. I make sure I take a bottle that holds least 500ml and has a screw top. Easy to wash, easy to store, easy to drink are 3 important things to keep in mind. I fill my water up after security checks and also ask the flight attendants to refill my bottle when on board. When I get to my destination, I can roam around with water in my bag at all times.

2) A yoga mat

I always bring a yoga mat with me. My favorite mat to travel with is my 1mm Manduka mat*. It folds well, packs well and is non-slip. Most hotels are carpet, and having this layer really helps me from being grossed out that I’m putting my face on the carpet, and avoiding rug burn. Since most places have carpet, it does not bother me that the mat is so thin. If I’m doing poses where my knees hurt, I grab a towel and put in under my knees. MUCH easier to pack and travel with than a mat that’s 5mm or even 3mm thick.

3) Workout clothes

I make sure to bring at least one outfit that I can run and do yoga in. If doing laundry is out of the question, I’ll bring two sets. I usually bring two yoga pants, two workout shirts, a cami with built in bra cups, and a sports bra. And of course, two pairs of workout socks.

4) Quality supplements

Ever since I switched my supplements to a higher quality, my body handles travel MUCH better. My digestion isn’t angry at me the entire trip, and my water retention isn’t as bad.

5) A neti pot

My nose gets stuffed up pretty easily, especially if I’m traveling to a big city. Using a neti pot helps me so much. I pack a plastic one, and some natural salt (PS: If you want to know how to use one, get your free guide here)

6) My iPhone

I have a daily meditation practice. The best and easiest way for me to keep up with my meditation is an app called Insight Timer. It’s a very simple, easy to use timer. I use this almost every morning. Go download it. It’s free!

7) My mala

I wear my mala almost daily. I like to keep it close to me. To me, it’s a reminder of my practice, what’s important to me, and how I should live my life.

8) A yoga book

Although I like to travel light, I always bring one yoga book with me. Sometimes I get these urges to go back and read about a section that’s on my mind, and I like to be able to do that wherever I go. Some trips I’ll take the Bhagavad Gita with me, some trips it’s the Yoga Sutra. It depends on how I’m feeling when I’m packing. Honestly, I don’t read it every single day. It’s one of those things that keep me grounded.

9) A notebook and a pen

You never know when inspiration strikes! And when it does, I want to be able to capture it. Did you know that a lot of the things I have on my site are written in a notebook first? Now you do 🙂

10) Earbuds

I get anxious on planes from time to time. It’s hard to meditate with all the sound and limited space. I make sure I have some yoga bhajans on my phone, so I can listen to them anywhere. I gotta stop myself from singing out loud on a plane, but it feels so soothing and comforting to hear the words and repeat it in my heart.

These are the things that I make sure I pack with me when I travel. Writing this list out made me realize how much yoga has become a part of my life. You make sure you pack your toothbrush when you travel right? For me, this list is like that. It’s what’s important to me. I’m sure everyone’s list will be different. Would love to know what’s on your list. What item do you make sure you pack to keep your practice on the go? Leave a comment and let me know!

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