The Yamas and Niyamas of Travel

It's natural to harbor dreams of perfection when you travel, because you've invested time, money, and effort. But when the inevitable mishap occurs—missing a connecting flight, getting sick, being stranded without a hotel reservation—yoga philosophy can help.

So what would Patanjali do? He'd probably remember the second of the eight limbs of classical yoga, the niyamas (observances). Cultivating two of the niyamas in particular, Ishvara pranidhana (the practice of surrender) and samtosha (contentment), can help remind you that oftentimes, the joy is in the journey, whatever unexpected form it may take.