---

---

The Yoga of Traveling

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page” – St. Augustine

Throughout our lives, we spend plenty of time alone. When we think of travel, we usually think of a road-trip with our best friends or a romantic getaway with our significant others.

The thought of a solo expedition sounds risky, and maybe even a little lonely. Before my first trip alone, my friends and family couldn’t stop asking me why I was going- did I have some lucrative mission, or was I running from something?

I had long been an avid yogi, and always thought self-knowledge was unlocked through meditation and books. Though these practices are still an important part of my life, I’ve come to realize the importance of travel as a means of self-reflection.

I’ve come to crave the independence it provides me and the thrill of unfamiliarity.

SEE ALSO: 6 Ways To Meditate While Traveling

You do what you want, when you want

You can set your own schedule, and stick to it as much (or as little) as you’d like. Stumble upon a festival that beckons to you? No need to keep it professional around coworkers. Don’t feel like spending time at a museum? Your parents won’t be disappointed since you’ve left them behind.

If you had a little too much fun experiencing the nightlife, you won’t let anyone down by sleeping late into the morning (unless you have a plane to catch). You finally get to fulfill your own desires, without much concern for work or personal relationships.

Travel is your time.

You prioritize for yourself

---

---

When you’re alone in a foreign place, you are free to listen to your own intuition and find things that speak to you. Your mind relaxes, and things surface which you don’t usually have the time to let unfold. If you’re traveling with a partner, it may be difficult to listen to your inner voice as you create an impression of a place and your relationship to the world.

You become your prime focus. What are you craving right now?

What is appealing to you? When visiting a city full of strangers you are free to experiment without the worry of upsetting friends, family, or coworkers. Travel is freedom from the preconceived notions others have of you, and allows new opportunities for self-exploration.

You experience yourself outside of your own culture

Our culture, our heritage, and even our own language play a huge role in the shaping of our character. We realize how strong of an influence it has on our character when we are placed outside of the familiar.

Opening ourselves to new cultural experiences can challenge our preconceived notions on how things ought to be, and the juxtaposition can help you see your own practices in a new light.

You expand your range of comfort

It’s difficult, maybe impossible to experience growth if you never step outside of your comfort zone. We have all had unstable situations that may have been uncomfortable, but ultimately defined our character. Travel can be unpredictable.

There are obstacles you will face along the way, and you must learn to handle them in the present moment. The way you manage new experiences can change the way you perceive yourself, improving your confidence and providing a more solid view of your niche in this world.

Traveling alone may not be appealing to everyone, but it can be a powerful tool for self-exploration. It is only by learning about our planet can we understand our place in it. Our experiences navigating the external provide a deeper understanding of our internal selves.

---

---