6 Easy Yoga Poses For The Road

Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are~ Jason Crandell

Welcome to our very first Travel Yoga Post! 😀

 

When did you last go on a road trip, and how did your body feel after? Perhaps you are like me- my body often feels like a tight ball of knots, after being on the road… When the only option of travel is by road, you need to take care of your body.

Wondering how to achieve this, when you are away from civilization, can’t access the gym or you are on a tight schedule? Well, stick around, because this post is certainly for you! 😀 😉

As I’ve mentioned before on my About Page, I started practising Yoga because of a recurring back problem. And, while I am no Yoga guru, I believe that the benefits of Yoga traverse all ages, health-status, gender e.t.c. Anybody can do it…so read on! 😀

 

The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing Yoga are your body and your mind~Rodney Yee

 

 

6 Easy Go-To Yoga Poses on The Road

Today, I will share 6 Easy Go-To-Yoga Poses, that I resort to when I am on the road. You can easily commit them to memory and practice wherever you are.

Hence, you’ll be well-stretched out and ready to make the most of your travel escapades… 🙂

 

Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is about what you learn on the way down~ Jigar Gor

 

P.S. Be gentle with your body, particularly if you have an injury. I have included links with Step-by-Step Instructions (from my favourite Yoga instructor), on every pose, to help you along.

And, if you fall down, it’s okay… 🙂 Simply get up and try again. Come along with an open mind, and let’s begin 😀

 

Sukhasana: Easy Pose

The Easy Pose is an excellent place to start. After hours on the road you might be feeling anxious or excited about all the things you need to accomplish. In this state, it is easy for the body to feel even more tense.

A few moments of the Easy Pose, with slowed breathing, will relax your heart and mind.

 

Benefits:

• It is great for stretching your knees and ankles
• Helps to calm the body and mind, especially when you incorporate slow, deep breathing
• Good for strengthening the back

 

Tips:

• Watch step-by-step instructions on the Easy Pose Here
• Fold a blanket or towel beneath you to provide support.
• Keep it simple to avoid hurting the muscles in your inner thigh
• Alternate the cross of the legs after a few moments to ensure that both legs are stretched

 

Vrksasana: Tree Pose

Tree Pose, or Vrksasana has easily become my go-to-pose, whenever I need to relax away from home. I find it convenient as I can do it standing up, no matter where I am. (You can see my Stop and Drop Yoga Tree Pose at the Nairobi National Park: here)

You do not need a Yoga mat to accomplish this pose, which makes it ideal for the road.

                     PHOTOGRAPHY BY: WANJIKU THUO

This requires a bit of balance, so do not worry if you fall over. It gets easier with practice. 😀

 

Benefits:

• It is ideal for stretching the thighs, shoulders, and groins
• Perfect for strengthening the spine and toning the abdominal muscles
• It also helps relieves symptoms of Sciatica
• Improves your sense of balance and coordination

 

Tips:

• Watch step-by-step instructions on the Tree Pose Here
• For a beginner, variate the pose by placing the leg on the ankle instead of the inner thigh
• You can choose to do it leaning against a wall, as you work your way towards finding balance
• If you have high blood pressure, do not raise your arms overhead, place them at the heart

 

Utthita Trikonasana: Triangle Pose

This is yet another good stretching pose, that you can do while standing up. Being on the road for long periods, means that your legs and back are likely to feel cramped. Getting into this pose will give your body a nice long stretch.

 

Benefits:

• Stretches your knees, ankles and thighs
• It also helps to sooth back pain, as it provides a deep stretch for the spine, shoulders and the chest
• Increases stamina

Tips:

• Watch step-by-step instructions on the Triangle Pose Here
• For a beginner, you can place your arm on your ankle, or on a block if placing your arm on the floor is difficult
• If you have a neck pain issue, do not turn your head to look up, instead look straight ahead

 

Utthita Parsvakonasana: Extended Side-angle Pose

Like the extended Triangle Pose, this pose is perfect for stretching your entire body. You can do it at the bus stop, or in the middle of a forest if you like…basically it can be done anywhere. 😀

 

Benefits:

• Provides relief for stiff shoulders and back, and sciatica symptoms
• Great for stretching the hamstrings and back, spine, waist, chest and lungs.
• Builds stamina

 

Tips:

• Watch step-by-step instructions on the Extended Side Angle Pose Here
• For a deeper stretch, place the feet wider apart
• You can place your arm on a block, if placing it on the floor is difficult
• Do not turn your head to look up if you have a neck problem, you can look straight ahead or turn to look at the floor

 

Vasisthasana: Side Plank

The first time I tried this pose, it was for an Instagram Yoga challenge. I fell down so many times that it was hard not to laugh at myself… Now, about a year later, it is one of my favourite Travel Yoga poses, as it strengthens my entire body.

Your arms might buckle on the first and second tries, but don’t give up. 🙂 The more you practice this pose, the more you will notice that your arms are becoming much stronger.

 

Benefits:

• It provides a good stretch for the back, the arms and the backs of the legs
• It helps with strengthening of your wrists
• Perfect for building arm balance and strength
• With practice, it helps to strengthen your core

Tips:

• Watch step-by-step instructions on the Side Plank Here
• Try the different Side Plank variations in the video, as your work on strengthening your arms and balance
• Find a clean surface to practice, incase you fall over
• See my Stop and Drop Yoga moment at the Nairobi Safari Walk Here 🙂

Balasana: Child’s Pose

Child’s pose happens to be one of my best go-to Yoga poses. At a time when my back was in really bad shape, this was one of the poses that gave me relief.

This resting pose helps to gently stretch your muscles after being seated in a car or a bus. You can do it on your bed, on a mat or on a clean floor surface, hence it still works as a road trip go-to yoga pose.

Finish off your practice with Child’s pose, as you take some moments to yourself, to rest.

 

Benefits:

• Provides back and neck relief; it is good for the spine.
• Relaxes the front body muscles, while stretching the back body muscles
• Provides a sweet, gentle stretch for the thighs, hips and ankles

Tips:

• Watch step-by-step instructions on the Child’s Pose Here
• Relax your breathing and let it flow through your entire body
• Allow your mind to calm down as it will help relieve stress

 

 

Final Tip: If you are curious about the location of these images>>Look our for Next Week’s Post!! 😀 😉

Thank you for reading, I hope you have enjoyed our first Yoga Post! 😀 How do you keep fit and healthy, when you travel…? I would love to hear from you! Drop a comment in the Comments’ Section below 😀

P.S. Remember that Yoga is about self-expression and self-discovery, not the mastery of poses. So, start where you are and enjoy the journey 🙂

 

Stay Inspired~Always 🙂