How to Start a Daily Yoga Practice (Even When You’re Travelling)
Introduction
If you are just starting your yoga journey or struggling to stay consistent, I totally get it and have been there. Building a new habit can be hard enough at home and trying to do it while traveling just adds a whole new layer of difficulty. It’s hard to find consistency in a new environment when we aren’t in our usual routine with our typical reminder cues we have in daily life. But, creating a consistent yoga practice can give us that sense of routine while travelling. It’s a way to help you stay present, grounded, less anxious and more connected to yourself, even in unfamiliar places. In this post I’m going to tell you how (and why) to start a yoga routine that sticks, wherever you are in the world.
Why Daily Yoga Practice is Great for Travellers
Spiritual & Emotional Benefits
A consistent yoga practice can help us feel more grounded and help us reconnect with ourselves while travelling. We can use yoga to help calm the mind which will allow us to be present and appreciate where we are (literally and figuratively). Practicing is also a great way to improve your mood and feel more relaxed overall.
Mental Health Benefits
Let’s be real, long-term travel is incredible but it is unpredictable and can leave us with little to no sense of routine. A consistent yoga practice is something we can go back to every day. It gives us a bit of much needed structure that can have a huge impact on our mental health. Constantly being in new environments can feel overwhelming at times and yoga can bring us a sense of calm and stability.
Physical Benefits
Long travel days, carrying a heavy backpack and lots of walking will lead to muscle strain. In order to feel our best physically, practicing yoga can relieve tension and soothe our sore muscles. Practicing a yin or a restorative style of class can provide us with much needed deep stretches. An active class like vinyasa or hatha can remove our stagnant energy, stretch into our muscles, improve our cardio, and strengthen our muscles so we feel strong and energized for our days.
How to Build a Realistic Daily Yoga Routine
A huge belief is that consistency means giving your 100% effort every day. When in reality it means showing up everyday, even if some days you’re at 20% or 50%. It’s better than not showing up at all! Begin slowly with short and simple classes, even 10 to 15 minutes can be very beneficial. You don’t need to find a studio and practice for an hour in order for your practice to count! I create new yoga classes every week that are short, suitable for beginners and travel friendly you can check out.
A great way to create a habit is to set specific times to perform them (I learned this from the book Atomic Habits and highly recommend reading it if you haven’t already). Pick two times, say 8am and 8pm that you do your yoga practice and depending on what you have going on that day pick the time that works best for you. This way if you can’t practice at one of the times then you have that second window to practice. I think it is a great habit hack for travellers. Our days look different everyday so it’s hard to have one set time to practice so, having two doubles out likelihood of doing it.
Create a mini ritual around your mat (even if it’s just a towel in a hostel). Your ritual can be anything that sets your mood and prepares yourself for practice. This can be an affirmation, setting an intention for your practice, doing pranayama, lighting a candle, listening to a specific song or meditation. Choose a ritual that is best for you. Having a ritual is a great and psychologically proven way to prepare your mind because you now associate the ritual with your practice.
Travel-Friendly Yoga Essentials
1. Comfy Clothes
You don’t need any fancy workout clothes. Most days if I practice from home I’m in boxers and a tee shirt. Don’t overcomplicate it! Just be sure to pack at least one of two outfits you’ll want to practice in.
2. Yoga Mat
I would recommend bringing a mat if you have the space for it and it is lightweight. Your other options are to buy a specific travel mat that will take up less space and is easy to bring with you. You could also just use a towel which is fine in a pinch but not the most ideal. With a towel, some poses aren’t possible because you don’t have a proper grip and it can be hard on the knees without proper padding. So it really just depends on your preference but personally I like having a mat because it forces me to actually use it.
3. Headphones
If you are following a class online (maybe one of mine) or following your own practice to music. This is the best way to tune out the outside world and focus on your practice even when your surroundings are hectic.
How to Stay Consistent When Your Days Are Unpredictable
Travel is unpredictable and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a few days. You are only human and sometimes life does get in the way. But try not to skip as much as possible and adapt to your circumstances. Long travel day? Try doing some gentle stretching or simple breathwork. Feeling jet-lagged and sleep-deprived? Try a yoga nidra session. So tired you don’t want to get out of bed? Try an in-bed yoga class.
Be flexible and don’t have rigid expectations for yourself! There are so many types of classes and styles of yoga you can try. Even 5-10 minutes of meditation, practicing mindfulness or moving your body can make such a positive impact.
Conclusion
Starting and sticking to a yoga practice isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about prioritizing our well-being. A consistent practice gives us a bit of structure on days that would otherwise seem messy, chaotic and full of distractions. Showing up for ourselves day in and day out, even when that feels challenging helps us reconnect and trust ourselves. So know whether you’re practicing on a hostel floor, sandy beach or hotel room, you’re building something meaningful. Just remember to be kind to yourself and enjoy the journey.
Don’t forget to check out some of my yoga classes! I create new classes every week that are beginner-friendly, suitable for travellers and perfect if you are short on time.
