yoga on the go…

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By: Doris Schwartz
Doris Schwartz is the creator and alter ego behind Yoga Yenta, the sassy self-appointed commentator on all things yoga. A management and fundraising consultant based in Los Angeles, she's maintained ...

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Yoga Yenta

I find myself out of town again. This week it’s business, last month for fun, but in both cases, being away from the yoga Mecca of Southern California could seriously threaten my yoga groove! Not to mention that cramped airplane seats, sporadic meals and unfamiliar environments all contribute to the stress of traveling, which makes me need yoga even more than when I’m at home.

This time, I came prepared for every possible circumstance with some of my favorites: DVD (Gaiam’s AM/PM Yoga), Video (Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh), CD (Sada Sat Kaur’s new “Shashara” mantra mix), iPod download (Bryan Kest’s advanced live audio bootleg) and video stream (Oxygen’s “Inhale with Steve Ross” saved on my laptop). But when I check into my very mod Ian Schraeger-like hotel, I find that my room is actually about the size of a yoga mat. Since I forgot to pack the latest “Yoga Poses for Standing in the Shower” title, it looks like I’m gonna need a new plan.

Time to chat with my new best friend – the concierge. We spend a half hour researching local yoga studios and instructors. It’s always a bit of a crapshoot with new teachers at unfamiliar studios in faraway places – there are so many different forms of yoga and teaching styles that you never quite know what you’re going to get. The Bikram and Ashtanga series’ are consistent from city to city, so that would be the safest bet. But I’m feeling adventurous, ready to experiment, let go of expectations and try something new. So what if it’s too challenging, not challenging enough, too spiritual, not spiritual enough, or maybe, just maybe – exactly what I was looking for??

Thankfully, there are lots of options for yogis on the road, depending on your destination and time limitations. Most importantly, leave your expectations at home and enjoy the journey.

Om Shanti & Infinite gratitude,

Yoga Yenta

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