Whether you’re setting sail around the Caribbean or you’re planning to soak up the sun here in the UK, there’s nothing better than an annual summer holiday. Filled with picnics, warm sun-filled evenings and more ice-cream than you thought possible, it’s no wonder that so many people look forward to experiencing a relaxing get-away. While a holiday is a chance to get away from the regular activities of everyday-life, taking your yoga mat on your travels can be incredibly beneficial. Providing individuals with a chance to properly stretch out after a cramped flight, or to re-energise after a jam-packed day of sight-seeing, yoga is beneficial for both the body and mind.
Don’t feel pressured to keep up with your everyday practice, though. Just practising a few simple postures in the morning will leave you refreshed and ready to enjoy the rest of the day. In this article, we explore some of the top tips to keep in mind before setting off on your travels –discussing the best ways to fit yoga into your holiday routine.
Practice Outdoors
If you are venturing somewhere a little warmer on your holiday, you are blessed with a great opportunity to take the practice outside. Even if you just take your mat out onto the balcony, practising outside will allow you to be at one with the great outdoors. In addition to feeling the glow of the sun on your skin, listening to the sounds of nature can be a great way to enhance your experience. If you’re holidaying in a warm climate, ensure you pack some lightweight yoga clothes in your suitcase. For a breathable yoga top, we recommend the Ana Heart, Muse Let’s Yoge Tee Shirt.
Do it as Soon as You Wake Up
Practicing yoga as soon as you wake up is always a good idea. Getting it out the way in the morning will leave you the rest of the day to enjoy your holiday, feeling refreshed and raring to go. Before you begin, try to have a glass of water to hydrate yourself – especially if you are planning to practice in a hot environ-ment.
Set Realistic Goals
Practicing yoga on holiday doesn’t have to be as intensive as your regular sessions. Try to be realistic, and praise yourself for managing to fit even a small amount of yoga into your busy schedule. If you have been drinking the night before perhaps just relax in the corpse or child’s pose for a few minutes, taking time reflect and recuperate. If on some days you don’t feel like moving – that’s fine! Yoga should be an enjoyable experience, so if you don’t feel like moving from the sun lounger then just pick it back up the next day.
Pack the Right Gear
If you plan to practice yoga on holiday, packing the right yoga gear is essential. It is wise to pack an array of different outfits suitable for different temperatures, especially if you’re not sure what the climate is going to be like. Even if you’re going somewhere hot, packing a lightweight yoga sweatshirt can be great for a spot of evening yoga down on the beach. For a high-quality option, we recommend the Ana Heart, Lenny Oversized Sweat.
Take a Travel Yoga Mat/Towel
Popping a travel yoga mat into your suitcase will allow you to practice anywhere, anytime. Better still, see if you can get your hands on a lightweight towel. This lighter alternative is perfect to slip into your beach bag for afternoon yoga by the pool.
Invest in a Yoga Bag
Investing in a decent yoga bag can work wonders for any yoga-mad holidaymaker. If you’re planning to fit a spot of practice after a jam-packed morning of activities, the last thing you need is to have to squash your clean yoga clothes into your usual bag. Coming prepared with a specialised yoga bag will make the transportation of your gear easier than ever, leaving space in your handbag for important holiday essentials. For a durable design, we recommend the Ana Heart, Urban Nomad Yoga Bag. Not only is the cotton bag the perfect fit for a traditional yoga mat, it even has a zip-able pocket to keep your iPhone secure.
Use an App on your Phone
If you’re finding it difficult to practice the postures from memory, consider downloading a yoga app onto your phone. Packed full of popular postures, a yoga app will refresh your memory, allowing you to perform the postures correctly and avoid injury. With thousands available on the app store, we are sure you will find one to suit your needs.
Subscribe to a Video Class
If you are worried about missing out on the class-like vibes of your usual session, why not subscribe to a video class while you’re away? With a wide range of styles, teachers and skill-levels available, a video class will allow you to follow along as if you were in your regular class. Most subscriptions offer a week of free classes, so sign up before you leave to enjoy the free-trial on your get-away.
Do it with a Friend
Practicing yoga with a friend or partner will always be more fun. If you’re on holiday with another yogi – perfect! You can hit the mat together and get your sweat on. If you’re accompanied by a complete begin-ner, then convince them that vacation is the ideal time to begin. Incorporating a few group of couples postures into your regular sequence can liven things up a bit, allowing you and your companions to work towards your goals together.
In Summary
Whether you’re interested in planning a selection of full-blown yoga holidays, or you’re just hoping to fit in few practice sessions here are there, performing a couple of simple postures each morning will allow you to enjoy the rest of the day feeling refreshed and re-energised.