This time of year is all about planning those summer holidays, whether it be a city break, a relaxing beach escape or even a Yoga retreat somewhere exotic. Or maybe you work in the leisure and tourism sector and this time of year is busy for you for other reasons. Keeping up a regular Yoga practice during these seasonal shifts might seem like a challenging task, but it is definitely doable. Here are a few tips that can help you to keep doing Yoga everyday from asana, to meditation to simply being present.
FIND A YOGA STUDIO
This is the number one tip to keep up a Yoga practice when you’re away from home. It makes continuing your daily Yoga practice effortless because you do not have to find time alone or a quiet space to practise in. You simply book your classes, turn up at the studio and surrender to what is on offer. It is also a great way to develop your practice as it gives you the opportunity to listen to different teachers, learn new sequences and experience Yoga with a beginner’s mindset once again. Opening your mind like this to a different way of practising can really help you to grow as a Yogi. And if you’re travelling with others, you can either introduce them to Yoga being newbies together, or they can go and pursue their own hobbies while you practise.
THE GEAR
Some people like to take everything but the kitchen sink when they go away, and others don’t want to be weighed down with too much stuff. Realistically you only need one set of Yoga clothes, maybe two. Some of our favourite quick-drying Yoga brands are Lululemon, Manduka and Ohmme. If you’re set on bringing your own Yoga mat, invest in a lightweight travel mat that can easily be folded into your suitcase. Better yet, just bring your Yoga mat towel that you can throw onto the grass or place over a borrowed mat at a studio.
REMEMBER THE OTHER LIMBS
It’s often easy to forget that Yoga is so much more than bending into a series of choreographed shapes here and there. Once you allow it in, Yoga becomes a dedication to a certain way of living and being in the world. Reflective time can be spent on trains, planes and buses, providing an opportunity to brush up on Yoga’s fascinating history and philosophical background, perhaps even guiding you towards a more meaningful trip. What’s more, having limited time or space for asana might nudge you to include more meditation and pranayama into your practice, enabling you to further develop your Yoga toolkit.
SET AN INTENTION
When you’re away from your normal day-to-day life, you may start to notice things that you usually take for granted. Take this opportunity to start each day by noting points of gratitude. From here, ask yourself what you’d like to experience or practise during your day. Take a moment to set an intention to turn this idea into a reality.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
Last but by no means least, listen to your body and respect its limits. If you are trying out a new studio, remember that no teacher can know your body better than you do, nor know how your body feels in different poses. If you’ve set yourself your own routine but feel exhausted and can’t face another Downward Dog, go right ahead and take Child’s Pose for as long as you need it. Remember that above all, Yoga is supposed to feel good.