Yoga & Travel
As summer has finally arrived and the holiday season is upon us, it’s a good moment to talk about keeping a regular yoga practice while away. Is rolling out your travel yoga mat easy or not so much?
How to keep a steady practice while traveling? Whether it’s a summer holiday, a work-related trip or maybe just family visit, it’s important to know how to stay motivated to keep up with your regular practice.
Some of us ashtangis have no problem with stepping on the mat, no matter what the circumstances… Well, good for you! I’m jealous :) But for those who might need some extra motivation to get on that travel mat when away from home, I created a list of ideas that have worked for me. I hope they will help you step on your mat, no matter where you are!
choose a hotel with a gym
Practicing yoga in a hotel gym may not be the perfect surroundings, but if you get there early enough you just might have it all to yourself. If you are on a work trip, you might be sharing a room with a colleague, which makes practicing in your room at 5 or 6 am almost impossible. Unless, of course, your friend likes waking up to the ujjayi breathing, thinking you are ironing your shirt for today’s meetings.
If it’s a holiday you’re on, your room is most probably shared with your partner and/or kids, so it’s nice to step away for a moment and have your own private space to practice. Also, in my experience, it’s almost impossible to just step off the bed straight onto the mat. I am always so very stiff, right after waking up, and need a few moments before I start practicing. I like to have something to drink first and then the short walk to the gym, even if it’s just down the stairs, helps me stretch my legs. And you only need enough motivation to decide you are practicing, take your mat and walk out of the room! When you find yourself alone on your mat, there is nothing else to do, but start to practice! I found this much easier than finding the motivation to practice in my room.
Practice outside
I know that traditionally we should practice ashtanga yoga in a room with closed windows and without any drafts, but changing things around for a week just might be nice. When I am on a summer holiday in a lovely warm country and close to the beach, I find that practicing on the beach is a great alternative and new motivation. Of course, your mat on the sand is a new challenge, I found the wet sand closer to the water much better. Also, you might find a pier to set up your mat on. If your hotel is right in front of the beach, maybe practice by the pool to skip the trouble with sand. Whichever way, I found the sound of the waves and the soft breeze so lovely and relaxing. It takes the practice to another level.
Drop-in to a local studio
It's lovely to see and experience a new yoga studio and meet a new teacher and community. It’s great motivation to keep your practice strong, and who knows, you also might happen to meet some new friends. The ashtanga world is small, so most probably the local teacher will have heard of your own teacher. It’s easy to feel at home in an Ashtanga Yoga shala, no matter in which part of the world it is. We are just part of one big family.
Family visit?
If you are visiting family or friends, maybe talk to them about your morning practice and ask where you could set up, not to wake everyone up :D I often find this one of the hardest places to practice so it’s great to help your family or friends understand that you need to practice, also once you speak with them and choose a space you just have to practice now. Unless the cat is on the mat...
Use an App
Download an ashtanga app to keep track of your daily practice on holiday. I never thought this would work, but I must say I am quite surprised. On everyday basis I don’t use any apps as I practice at my local studio and that is just enough motivation for me :) But on holiday, once you start using the app the first day it’s just nice to compare how long you practiced each day, how far in the series did you get that day, full primary? Intermediate or just half-primary? Anything is good, it’s just most important to get on that mat and do what you can. Breathe and all is coming.
Pros and Cons list
You might want to write down pros and cons of practicing or skipping practice when traveling. Its motivating to really know why you need to practice. For example, if one of the reasons you practice is that you feel like shit if you don’t… well there you go!
Listen to yourself
Listen to your body and on some days just take it easy and give your body a holiday for a day. But, most important, don’t feel guilty about it! You can do some meditation or pranayama that day instead or just some sun salutations.
Good luck and good travels!