Holiday Yoga

Passport – check.
Clothing for day, evening and poolside – check.
Suncream – check.
Home comforts (if you’re British this possibly includes teabags, Marmite and HP Sauce!) – check.
Yoga gear – er, no… and the feelings of guilt kick in!

Whether you simply attend a weekly yoga class or have a full-on daily habit of asana, pranayama and meditation, it all seems to go out the window when we’re on holiday (unless attending a retreat). So why do we tend to forget or ignore those habits which we have so carefully cultivated the rest of the time when we embark on our holidays (or vacation to my US friends).

Well part of this is due to the holiday itself. By leaving our usual routine and environment, we are automatically switching off the very things which remind us to practice. If you usually go to a yoga class after work on a Thursday evening, you’re not going to be thinking of this or putting a reminder in your calendar when you’re sampling the hotel buffet!

Brain in relaxed mode

I find my mind also tends to shut down when away somewhere hot, sunny and without a fixed agenda. I live a very busy life, juggling priorities, living by routines and using my brain in a variety of challenging ways. When I go away, whether for a relaxing break in the sun or a walking holiday in the unpredictable weather of the UK, I find that my brain pretty much powers down and is reluctant to do anything outside of keeping me alive, reading and crosswords.

This move to standby mode does have some benefits though – at least it does for me, not sure about my family who usually require my brain to power the household! I find that I am living more in the present or at least in the day itself. Decisions about what to do or not, what to eat and where, even what to wear (slightly more tricky in the UK where we often go through several seasons in an hour) are the only planning activities my brain has to deal with. This means more capacity can be focussed on experiencing what is happening in the moment.

So how can you practice yoga on holiday whilst giving your brain the break it needs?

1. Mindful walking – try and go for a short walk alone (early evening is great as it’s cooler). Don’t look past your mobile or listen to music on it – just observe the input from your senses as you walk. If other thoughts intrude, clouting each step or breath can help.
2. Sunlounger yoga – my favourite thing in the morning! Laying on your back on a flat sun lounger take some gentle stretches whilst focussing on the breath and noticing each part of the body. Reclined Spinal Twist, Reclined Bound Angle, Supported Bridge (using folded towels under the back), leg stretches and Savasana are all great poses for this practice.
3. Pranayama – great for nervous travellers or for simply restoring some balance. Nadi Shodhanam and Anuloma Viloma only need a few minutes and can be done anywhere.

Happy travelling!