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Lying on my back in Savasana, the traditional final relaxation asana of any yoga class, I tried to focus on the instructor’s voice and clear my mind. “If thoughts come just let them go” she said, “bring your mind back to your breath, there is only the breath. Let thoughts drift away like clouds floating across the sky. Be aware of your body on the mat supported by the earth” The instructor, Tioka’s voice was soft and gentle washing over me like a warm shower. My mind was like a snow globe thoughts scattered in all directions. I couldn’t believe I was actually here in Paris on my yoga mat in the Parc du Champ- de -Mars. The history of this space was not lost on me and I could envision legions of soldiers marching along it’s tree lined avenues. If I opened my eyes I could see the Eiffel Tower. Feeling the sun warming the top of my head while a light breeze cooled the rest of my body. I could hear children playing, their universal language of shrieks and squeals, transcending countries and cultures. The smells from a nearby street vendor’s food cart pushing my early morning yogurt to a distant memory. When my daughter had first mentioned Airbnb experiences I had been sceptical to say the least. The very thought of taking a yoga class outside at the foot of the Eiffel Tower had been so far from my comfort zone it would have a different postcode. I didn’t even like Paris. My first visit, and at the time swearing it would be my last visit had been five years ago. I had read the travel guides and made my itinerary. The Eiffel Tower was up there at the top of the list followed by visits to Notre Dame, the Louvre and a walk along the Seine. I had been on a tight budget and only in Paris for the weekend while my daughter Hannah had been away at a school camp. I had been dizzy with anticipation having never travelled on my own. As a single parent I hadn’t really travelled at all, alone or accompanied. The trip had been disappointing to say the least. The accommodation had been clean and pretty but there had been no mention that it sat at the top of a steep hill and could only be accessed by a rickety staircase that didn’t look like it would support my bodyweight. Notre Dame had met and exceeded my expectations. The aura I felt while there had stayed with me for hours. The food had been exactly as I had hoped too and very reasonably priced. Eating mostly from street vendors. Delicious onion soup served with a croque-monsieur became my go to favourites costing only a few euros. The downsides for me were the crowds and the queues. Paying the entrance fee at the Eiffel Tower, I, along with hundreds of my fellow tourists was herded like cattle to the slaughterhouse all the way to the top. There was no time or space to really appreciate where I was. The experience at the Louvre was very similar. At the end of the weekend I was exhausted and more than happy to head for home. This time my experience couldn’t have been more different. The wide open green space in which I had just practiced yoga was up there with one of the most unique experiences of my life. I never expected to find such peace and tranquillity in the middle of a busy city under the watch of such an iconic tourist attraction. This brought home to me that in fact I had been doing this travel thing all wrong. It is helpful to read travel blogs and research destinations before travelling, but factor in you. What makes you come alive? What feeds your soul? Take these passions in to all your travels. As Tioka asked us to return to a seated position on our mats with our hands in a prayer position. “Bow your head in humility and gratitude. Namaste” she said. I knew I would return to Paris but where else would I travel with my yoga mat?