Hi all! With my trip quickly approaching, I have been packing and planning like a madwoman. I decided to check in 1 small bag + bring 1 carry on, trying to keep my packing as light as possible. One of the worst things about traveling is having to minimize the crap that you bring, but also good practice for learning to survive on a few essential items.
With that being said, I created a list of items that any yogi needs while traveling – whether it be for a trip to the arctic or while sitting on a sunny beach in the Caribbean 🙂 
Lavender & Peppermint Oil
- Lavender oil is like the swiss army knife of nature. It helps with sunburns, bug bites, cuts, anything skin related, sleep problems… etc. It is my go-to for relaxing, especially for long flights & helping to fall asleep in new places.
- Peppermint oil is a stomach lifesaver – nausea, indigestion, stomach aches… And not only that, I use this for headaches & my sinuses (have you ever tried smelling peppermint with a stuffy nose? Opens up those airways within seconds!)l. I carry this in my purse at all times – my friends always end up using it when they aren’t feeling well!
Protein Bars & Snacks I am the worlds worst eater – I snack. A LOT. Because of my snacking “problem,” I have tried pretty much every single on-the-go food ever to be created by man. Since my schedule is usually packed from 6 in the morning until 11 at night every day, I always need to have something on hand when I am on the go. You can find any snack with protein, chocolate, or peanut butter in it stashed away in my car, my purse, or my desk at work at all times! A few of my favorite snacks are RX Bars, Kind Strong! Bars, Picky Bars (amazing for post-workout), and chocolate cacao nibs from trader joes.
Electrolyte Drink Mix When I travel, I find its hard to drink a lot of water. Not just because I forget, but also because who doesn’t like to get the occasional airport drink?! It’s easy to get dehydrated – airport travel fatigue is no joke! I’ve tried Nuun Tablets in the past, but my all-time favorite is Mestrength Electrolyte Drink Mix. It doesn’t have any extra ingredients in it + uses stevia as a sweetener. It also has creatine in it, which is amazing for drinking pre- and post-workout. I am banking on these to keep me hydrated doing 2 Yoga classes a day in the Belize heat!
Baby Wipes These are essential for ANY traveler – the perfect all-purpose body cleaner for those on the go! I use these to clean my face, wipe down my body (hello – no access to a shower while traveling all day=uncomfortably sitting in your own sweat/grime/dirt), cleaning hands, unexpected spills… total lifesaver. Any brand will work – I normally just grab some from my local CVS or meijer. Aquaphor I first found out about aquaphor when I got my first tattoo. Fast forward 9 years, 2 more tattoos, dry skin, and some seriously chapped lips and I am still using this stuff. All you need is a tiny travel-sized bottle – it lasts forever! I carry one with me at all times.
Yoga Mat* Every Yogi needs a mat to bring with them on their travels! Unfortunately, most mats are super bulky and difficult to carry around. Insert: Yoga mat created specifically for the traveling Yogi! B Yoga has designed the PERFECT mat to travel with… It’s super thin, non-slip, and light enough to carry around without being too heavy. I am planning on taking this on the plane with me so that I can do some pop-up yoga in the airports 🙂
There are a lot more things I pack, but these items are what I take with me on my carry-on. What does everyone else take as a travel essential? I’d love to hear what you take on your trips!
*B Yoga provided me with a travellers mat to use while traveling to my teacher training in Belize.
I carry peppermint oil too! Just used it today for a migraine I had, and it was gone in no time! I ALWAYS have snacks too, lol. I have to carry a “suitcase purse” JUST for snacks! haha.
I also HAVE to take some kind of hoodie/jacket, because you never know if it’ll be freezing INSIDE wherever you go. And a couple magazines. That’s usually the time I play catch up on my pile of magazines, lol.
Yes!! I’ve been using For my sinuses/allergies lately, it’s a lifesaver!! Good call on the hoodie – the airport/plane can get chilly!! 🙂
Hello and happy Friday!! I absolutely luv ur blog. I am going to Belize for the 100 hr teacher training and ur blog was so informative. I do have some questions if you don’t mind and have a minute? I’m staying in the cabana and was wondering if they gave floor fans or ceiling fans? Do they have coffee? I’m a coffee drinker and don’t see it listed? Also could you give me any other items I should bring with me. Any tips on what I should expect or things I should do while I’m there. I am checking and doing carry on? Thank you so much for any info I’m very excited and nervous at the same time! Xoxox
Hi Susan! You are going to LOVE Belize!
Yes, the cabanas do have ceiling fans – however, just note that there is no air conditioning. The humidity & heat is something you will have to get used to! However, when practicing yoga on the palapa everyday, there is a nice breeze that feels great.
Yes, there is coffee available every morning! We had a 1 hour meditation walk every morning at 7 am, and the coffee was available before then, as well as breakfast at 8 am.
The first few days were the toughest, physically. I consider myself to be in really good shape, and I struggled. However, it gets much easier after the first few days – then it becomes more mentally challenging, as you need to remember the yoga sequence & practice teaching.
I highly recommend learning the baptist power yoga sequence before going, and practicing on friends/family. Or request the sequence from the studio beforehand.
I checked a bag + had a carry on – You will need both!
I packed:
sunscreen
3 yoga outfits per DAY – i never did laundry (except washed a few items in the shower & hung dry), but you will be sweating and working out A LOT, so make sure to have a lot of outfits to change into! I mainly wore shorts/capris/leggings that were very breathable (I wore Teeki brand leggings) + a sports bra
a few tank tops
2 towels (1 for shower, 1 for beach)
bathing suits (you will have a chance to lay out every day
2 flips flops + pair of tennis shoes you don’t mind getting dirty
outfit to travel back in
several protein bars (i snacked on between classes)
electrolyte replacement (I brought ME Strength brand)
empty water bottle (I brought a fairly big glass water bottle – you will drink a ton of water!)
charcoal tablets (in case you drink the water/get food poisoning)
no need for hair dryer or hair styling tools – you will be sweating so much & throwing your hair up in a ponytail all week
1-2 outfits for going out to town (nothing fancy – I wore jean shorts & a crop top, my friends wore flowy dresses)
journal for
we had a half a day for excursions – I chose to go snorkeling, which was a blast! I also went to the town at night and got dinner at a restaurant there. It was awesome, and walking around town is a very different experience – I highly recommend it!
I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please let me know! You are going to make lifetime friends during the trip – enjoy it!!
Hi, wow thank you for taking the time to get back to me and supply me with amazing useful information. I really do appreciate it. I ordered the Me strength drinks and packed everything you mentioned. I leave in 2 days, excited and nervous but ready for this adventure!! Thanks again and I will def let you know how Belize went!!! Have an amazing day!!
no problem! Have a blast!!