I spent last Friday waiting out the big NY snowstorm at The New York Times Travel Show. My morning was spent taking notes and networking with other travel professionals at the educational seminars. The 34 available seminars ranged on topics from How social media can help to South African Tourism: World Cup Presentation. Regardless of where the attendees came to NY from; everyone was there to learn about going somewhere else.

After lunch, I headed into the trade show section where booths were organized by areas of the world. I made a beeline for the Central America section, since Pravassa has upcoming trips there. Panama was the first country I visited and imagine my delight when I discovered a newly opened eco-hostel. The Lost and Found Lodge is located in the Fortuna there. , high in the mountains. I can't wait to visit and experience the jungle animals, go on a treasure hunt and learn how coffee is harvested. I couldn't stay in Central America for ever, so I continued my journey around the world lingering in places such as Grenada, Croatia and Fiji; basically anywhere that has a beach!

The Travel Show is open to the public and if you couldn't make it this year for the great discounts, give-a-ways and talks lead by travel gurus such as Arthur Frommer, the show will return next year. If that's too long for you to wait, you're in luck as Pravassa will take you away sooner!

photo courtesy of Morgan's Rock

During one of my first yoga classes 13 years ago, I remember the teacher opening the class by telling us that yoga is not a competition. The point is to be on your own mat, drawing in your awareness and working with the breath no matter what anyone else is doing around you. Being a former high school athlete, I had quite a healthy competitive spirit and knew I was going to have to work to turn my focus inward.

 

This month, the New York Times published a story about the journey of Rajashree and Bikram Choudhury, who created the Bikram practice, to make yoga into an Olympic sport. The Choudhury’s feel the recognition of regional competitions and the path which yoga has to take to be considered an Olympic sport will make it more accessible to people around the world. The article has sparked a lot of conversation within the yoga community, which has been mostly negative, as teachers and studios alike do not feel competition has a place within the yoga community.

 

This argument is one I will be able to leave behind the next time I step onto my mat, as I don’t practice yoga for anyone other than me. Then again, do you think that Krishna could have imagined 15 million Americans paying for the privilege to practice this ancient art form?