Your Wellness Routine for the Road, From a Peloton Instructor

What is wellness to you? For me, wellness is having a healthy mind-body connection that can be achieved through exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness, which includes spending time in nature and meditating. However, when on the road or away from home for an extended period of time, my wellness routine usually goes out the window. If you also aim to achieve a healthy lifestyle with wellness and adventure but have trouble finding that balance when on the road, Kirra Michel, a yoga and meditation instructor for Peloton, shares her philosophies on wellness for the road.

Whether or not you use a Peloton bike or follow any of its online classes that reach far beyond a stationary bike workout, you may have heard of one or more of its influential instructors. Kirra Michel a Peloton instructor and unlikely influencer; she teaches both yoga and meditation classes through the website. Her style and brand of yoga is referred to as “Wellness Rebellion,” and involves compassion, gratitude, and acceptance of yourself. She also empowers women to use their voices and take up space in this world. "We all have a zone of genius," she says.

Kirra grew up near Byron Bay, a seaside town on Australia’s easternmost coast, and it was here she was introduced to a wellness and outdoor culture that can be likened to places like Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico, which are among her favorite places in the U.S. Wanderlust and her love of other cultures and perspectives brought her around the globe on an around-the-world ticket when she was 18 years old.

She traveled to destinations like Los Angeles, New York City, London, and Germany before returning home to enroll in university. But eventually, the draw to go back to NYC (where her dad is from) was so strong she ended up moving there, and still resides there today.

Now, for those of us who have been to or lived in NYC, we know how frenetic its energy can be. Speaking from experience, the hustle and bustle of such a fast-paced city with all the noise and crowds can wreak havoc on one’s nervous system; and that's what happeed to Kirra.

She knew something drastic needed to change. “I felt more overwhelmed, more alone, than I ever had,” she says, “despite being in one of the busiest cities in the world.” After feeling burnt out from the city, she ended up turning inward.

Although she had meditated in the past, she decided to give it another go. Once she immersed herself into meditating after not doing so for a long period of time, she came upon a realization: “I realized I meditated every day of my life,” she says. “I was constantly in nature, just being. This is meditation.” I think there’s something so beautiful in that.

Kirra joined Dharma Punx NYC, a Buddhist meditation group her father once belonged to. From her mindfulness practice, yoga was, naturally, the next step into her self-care journey. The natural athleticism she’s carried with her since childhood made her a quick study with yoga, and she fully immersed herself in the practice.

Now she's an on-camera instructor for Peloton. And the best part? She gets to teach for Peloton in her own way and style.

So, what does Kirra Michel, a health and wellness teacher, say about wellness on the road and what you should do? Well, here’s what has worked for her during her years of traveling and living in New York:

Kirra practices “moments of stillness. For example, she will go on long walks without any distractions (i.e. phone or music). This helps keep you present and in the moment and she lets her mind wander. Walking to a park or to a waterfront is something she seeks during her walks in NYC.

She also recommends taking long hikes. Immersing oneself in nature is another incredible meditative practice. And, go stargazing, she says. The night sky dazzles with twinkling stars and can make us realize how small we and our problems are in comparison.

Before a flight, do some stretching and meditate. Kirra states, “I’m the person doing headstands in the airport,” she laughs, adding that Peloton’s Yoga anywhere classes are perfect for travel: “10-, 20-minute classes you can do anywhere, even without a mat.” Kirra also suggests Peloton’s meditation classes, especially for those who are anxious when traveling.

And lastly, put down your phone. “We’re so inundated with noise,” she says. “If you slow down and simply take a break from the noise, you can find stillness, practice meditation, anywhere,” she says.

Kirra loves what she does and takes pride in inspiring others, especially women. You can find Kirra Michel on Instagram, and you can also join her classes through Peloton.

This article is part of our Known Traveler series where we highlight creators who share inspiring travel and lifestyle content. Check out the full edition for Wellness Wanderers.