Yoga isn’t just about poses, and travel isn’t just about destinations. Both are portals into connection, self-discovery, and transformation. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali one of the oldest yogic texts outlines the eight limbed path of yoga. The purpose of this path is to help you live a whole and purposeful life.
I would argue that travel can mirror these eight limbs, inviting us to connect deeply with ourselves, the world, and others. When we travel paying mind to these ideas we invite in a different level of experience and are more conscious of the people and places we visit, making us better stewards of our planet and our neighbors.
No passport or yoga mat is needed to travel with me through the eight limbs ,just an open mind and a sense of adventure! The eight lims of yoga are as follows Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. Lets dive in!
Yama: Ethical Restraints – Traveling with Integrity
The yamas guide how we interact with the outer world, focusing on values like non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).
The yamas inspire us to tread lightly: How can we do that when we travel?
- Non-violence: Respect the natural environment and local communities, avoiding practices that harm ecosystems or exploit people.
- Truthfulness: Seek authentic experiences instead of chasing the next influencer travel trend. When truth and authenticity guides your travel you will experience something that speaks to your uniqueness allowing you to absorb an experience that truly resonates.
- Non-possessiveness: Travel with gratitude, leaving places better than you found them. When you realize you are a guest and that preservation and respect helps to keep the integrity of a place intact your only desire will be to collect memories and to travel with kindness, humility, and intention.
Niyama: Inner Discipline – Growth Through Exploration
The niyamas focus on personal growth and self-discipline, like contentment (santosha), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender (ishvarapranidhana).
Finding Niyama in the journey is like mining gold.
- Contentment: Appreciate the present moment, We have all heard this before but whether it’s a breathtaking view or a simple meal be there, Really be there. Take it all in with your senses finding time to breath in all the wonder.
- Self-study: Reflect on how travel challenges your assumptions, fears, and habits, at a time when people are so divided by difference this is more important than ever.
- Surrender: Embrace the unexpected! (what do you mean you cant find my luggage!) We have all been there, but letting go of rigid plans and allowing for things to unfold can teach us valuable lessons about how resilient we are, and also lead us on serendipitous adventures that we may never have planned.
Allow travel to be as much about inner transformation as it is about outward exploration.
Asana: The Physical Practice – Embodied Adventures
In yoga, asanas are the postures that connect mind and body. In travel, these are the physical experiences that root you in the present moment.
From hiking the trails in Cinque Terre to wandering through the ruins of Meteora,, travel invites you to inhabit your body fully. Like yoga poses, it’s not about how far you go ,or if you can touch your toes. It's about feeling and embodying the movements.
Are you rushing through a packed itinerary, or are you savoring the beautiful sensations of each step?
Pranayama: Breath Control – Syncing with the Rhythm of Travel
Pranayama is the art of breathwork, symbolizing life’s energy (prana). In travel, we have a rhythm as well it is the rhythm of movement and rest—the moments when you get to pause to take it all in.
Think of the way your breath catches at a sunrise or how it slows as you relax on a Mediterranean beach. Travel, like breathwork, teaches you to align with the flow, finding balance between activity and stillness.
Pratyahara: Withdrawal of Senses – Finding Focus Amid Chaos
Pratyahara means turning inward, pulling back from distractions to focus on what truly matters. In the age of constant notifications and travel influencers, this limb feels especially relevant.
In travel we can practice this by,
- Putting your phone away to fully absorb the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
- Choosing meaningful experiences over the pressure to “do it all.”
- Listening to your inner guide instead of following the crowds.
Travel becomes richer when you allow yourself to disconnect from external noise and reconnect with your senses and your inner gnosis.
Dharana: Concentration – Immersion in the Moment
Dharana is about cultivating deep focus. In travel, this is the art of being fully present—whether you’re marveling at ancient ruins or having a heartfelt conversation with a local shop keeper.
Rather than skimming the surface, dharana invites you to immerse yourself in the essence of a place. Learn its history, taste its food, and engage with its people. True connection comes from undivided attention. Our experiences are so much more profound when we are fully engaged.
Dhyana: Meditation – Finding Stillness in Motion
Dhyana, or meditation, is the practice of sustained awareness. In travel, it’s the quiet moments of reflection, For me I have always found the trains of Europe to be so meditative I could feel such peace breathing deeply while feeling the vibration of movement and gazing out the window. Other ways to feel this type of awareness are:
- Watching the sun dip below the horizon as waves roll onto the shore.
- Journaling your thoughts after a day of adventure
- Sitting in a centuries-old cathedral, feeling the weight of history around you.
Travel, like meditation, encourages mindfulness. Mindfulness can be a wonderful way to find inner awareness and outer connection.
Samadhi: Bliss – The Union of Self and World
The ultimate goal of yoga, samadhi, is a state of oneness—merging the individual self with the universal. In travel, this is the profound sense of connection you feel when a place moves you to your core.
It’s the feeling of belonging in a foreign land, the awe of standing before natural wonders, or the warmth of sharing a meal with strangers who feel like family. These moments remind us that, despite our differences, we are deeply interconnected. The walls that we think separate us dissolve. We are one in our shared beauty and humanity.
Travel as an 8-Limbed Practice
Just like yoga, travel is a journey—not to perfection, but to wholeness. Each limb invites us to connect with ourselves, the world, and the present moment.
Travel allows you to embrace the unknown, awaken curiosity, and cultivate connection.
And if you’re ready to dive into this transformative experience, join me on one of my upcoming retreats. Together, we’ll explore the yoga of travel—off the beaten path, immersed in culture, and present for every breathtaking moment.
