Eco-Chick Escapes · The modern girl's guide to green travel

Travel Yoga: From Online Classes to Natural Practice Spaces

Starre Vartan does yoga on the California Coast.

The thing that I love most about yoga is how flexible it is; I practice to focus energy during the workday, to relax at the end of the day, and in the morning when I feel tight or have slept weirdly. I do 10 minutes of yoga to cool off and loosen muscles at the end of a good run, but can also rely on it as my workout on the days I don’t want to run or cycle.

But I especially love to do yoga when I’m travelling (and, as you can see here, especially on beaches or near bodies of water). But also on mountaintops in the midst of a hike, or in a city park during a day of walking around. Not a full-on, yoga-outfit situation, but a few poses, ideally sans shoes, to just connect to the moment and the world around me more fully.

A group yoga class on the beach.

One of the best ways to keep up your practice while on the road (or if you are sojourning somewhere without a yoga studio or teacher nearby) is to keep a few podcasts saved in your phone or mobile-music device. And some hotels, like those in the Kimpton family, provide yoga mats and blocks for your room, so you can practice there or in their gym with your own mat that’s cleaned for you. There’s nothing like a focusing practice before I begin a day of walking, or post-flight (even five minutes of yoga before you pass out, exhausted, is amazing! It will help you sleep better and you’ll wake up more refreshed).
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Escapes Giveaway! Win a Pretty Turquoise Recycled Suitcase from Heys

Heys has long been known for producing quality suitcases and travel gear. And now their new eco-friendly line, EcoCase (they are made from 100% recycled plastic) proves they are conscious too. (And I think the hard-case style is pretty cool.)

So naturally, we are giving one away to Eco Chick and Eco Chick Escapes readers!

(Heys does make a soft fabric suitcase, also made from recycled polyester fabric, as well.)

The giveaway would be for ONE Turquoise EcoCase carry-on piece, pictured above.

To win: You have the chance to win the prize. How? Simply like the Heys Facebook page and Eco Chick Escapes Facebook page and let us know you have done so in the comments below. Easy!

Deets: Eco Chick does not sell or lend email addresses we collect. One reader will win the prize. Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US or Canada. Submissions will be collected until February 15th at midnight eastern standard time. Good luck!

Flickr Image via TheeErin

Three Vintage Carry On Bags for Travelling in Sustainable Style

One of my favorite parts of travelling is packing; bear with me here. While I don’t relish putting together my bigger suitcase or bag (which I always check), setting up my carry on, whether it’s for a long train voyage or a shorter (but more stressful) plane flight, is good fun. I save up copies of Elle, Monocle, and the New Yorker, carefully choose at least two books – yes I still read on paper – and ensure I have enough moisturizer, facial spritz, hand wipes, lip balm, healthy snacks and podcasts loaded on my phone. It’s fun to pack it all in there, the minimum number and quantity of items that one needs immediately while voyaging.

One thing that has eluded me thus far is the perfect bag in which to keep everything. Etsy seems to be the ideal place to start any bag-finding expedition, and I found some lovely ones made from vintage leather, fabric, and veggie-tanned leather.

The Glorianne, above, by Leonie Saliba, is like an extra-giant handbag, which makes it kind of a fun piece, as well as being practical. Made from vegetable-tanned leather, it’s plenty big enough for a laptop and much more.

The African mudcloth travel bag from Etsy seller missprettyperfect is made of a soft material, in the traditional African colors and style (you can read all about the design and how it was put together on the seller’s blog). Handmade and fully lined, it looks like this bag could well double as a pillow, which of course is perfect for travelling.

This vintage leather bag from Salvage Life is just the most beautiful color and style. Absolutely classic and would go with anything/everything.

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