Annie Au of Spirit Soul Yoga
For my traveling yogis, one of the biggest problems is to keep up with our yoga practice. Finding space in a mini hotel room, scouting out good and affordable drop-in classes and plugging in the same yoga DVD for the zillionth time. These are all obstacles that may discourage you from stepping on the mat. Then the next thing you know, it’s been a few weeks and the closest yoga posture you’ve done is savasana.
For the past few years, I’ve gathered a few tips that would help me keep up my practice while traveling. They all work fantastic for me and I hope it will for you as well!
#1. Have a small yoga sequence handy
Having your own yoga sequence to practice to helps you eliminate the need to find a yoga studio in a new city. Roll out your yoga mat and voila- your personal yoga space! You could be at a hotel, airport or office space. As long as you’re not stopping traffic or making a scene, I’m confident you can practice pretty much anywhere. All you really need is a few sun salutations, standing/seated postures and finishing poses. Jot down the sequence in a small notebook or on your phone, eventually you’ll memorize this sequence by heart. No idea how to compose a sequence? Click here to receive a free yoga sequence sheet!
#2. Practice in the early morning
When traveling, the best time to practice yoga is early in the morning. It’s unlikely that you will hit the mat after a long day of sightseeing or a glass of vino in the afternoon. So be wise, don’t fool yourself. Get up and just practice.
#3. Be realistic how long and how often you would practice
It would be great to practice every single day, but chances are it won’t be realistic. If you’re used to practicing 2hrs daily, it might be wise to reduce to 1hr or even 45 minutes. On certain days, it might just be 15-20 minutes. Again, manage your expectation and be okay with change.
#4. Have a balanced diet
As much as we strive to do yoga when traveling, sometimes it’s just isn’t feasible. So instead of beating yourself up, the best way to maintain clarity of mind and a healthy body is to have a balanced diet! It’s okay to indulge a little on vacation but take everything in moderation. Perhaps skip dessert but have that glass of wine, eat your veggies and drink lots of water. You’ll feel great and ready to hop back on the mat when you return home!
One of the main lessons I learned while traveling is non-attachment. I used to feel frustrated whenever I missed a practice and I would carry that frustration throughout the day! Now, I realize yoga is a state of being and not a physical regime on a rectangular mat. Practice the other limbs of yoga such as ethical behaviors and self-observations are equally important.
I hope these tips help you! Please let me know what you also do to keep up your practice when traveling!
Light,
Annie (annieauyoga.com)
