Hotel Yoga

It can be incredibly hard to stay healthy while traveling. You really have to be on point with your commitment to your health when you’re dealing with planes, security, hotels and having your routines disrupted. It takes focus and wherewithal to maintain a yoga practice even during periods of intense travel.

I know how it is, so I wanted to share some pointers I’ve picked up along the past few years of working as a lawyer, traveling a bunch and still trying to stay on top of my health and yoga practice.

First off, DVDs are incredibly helpful things to have on hand when you’re traveling. If you pick the right selection, you’ll be able to get some mat time in even if you only have 15 minutes between meetings.

Staying fit while traveling is all about making do under non-ideal circumstances. It’s never going to be as easy as it is when you’re sleeping in your own bed and working out in your own home, but hotels can actually be great for doing yoga.

The first problem you’ll likely encounter when you’re staying at hotels and trying to maintain your yoga practice is the fact that you don’t have your mat with you. It’s often simply not practical to lug a yoga mat around with you on a business trip. So here are some things you can do:

Get a travel yoga mat. This is what I’ve done, and I take it with me everywhere! Different companies have different mats available in various sizes, thicknesses and colors. Find one that works for you. I also have a really cute mat bag that is colorful and pretty and makes me happy every time I look at it.

For the times when you can’t fit even a travel yoga mat into your luggage, then you’ll have to make do with hotel towels. Personally, I can’t stomach the thought of getting hot and sweaty all over a hotel carpet, so at the very least I put down a couple clean hotel towels and run through my sun salutations on them. No, towels aren’t anywhere near as suitable as a proper yoga mat. But doing something is better than doing nothing. That’s one of my main travel mottos.

When traveling there may be times that you are anxious, jet-lagged or just plain out of sorts from being in a different routine. Begin your hotel practice with this breathing technique called Anulom Vilom, it’s easy, fast and incredibly powerful. It balances your system, brings high amount of oxygen to the brain, and has an incredible list of health benefits, which you can check out here.

Keep to a daily practice, especially when travelling. You will always feel better, more balanced and energized, after doing a session, even if it is only some Anulom Vilom breathing and five or six sun salutations.

Know your sun salutations. I don’t care how intense your travel work schedule is, you can fit in some sun salutations. If, that is, you know them by heart. Sometimes you don’t have time to set up and properly get ready for a yoga class with a DVD you’ve brought with you. In those moments, just get onto your travel mat and do as many–or as few–sun salutations as you have time for. Remember how good you always feel after you do a little yoga–then cling to that awareness no matter how tired or harried you feel!

Finally, the big secret to hotel yoga is to have some of your favorite yoga DVDs on hand at all times while you’re traveling. Wake up a little early, cue up your favorite sequence and give yourself some much-needed time to be in your body.

I find DVDs to be ideal traveling companions–they’re light and small, and yet they pack a wallop when your turn them on. They’re almost better than Aladdin’s lamp–when that telltale “engage DVD” sound hits, you know you’re about to get a great workout without having to deal with the hassle of rushing to a class, getting dressed, staying through the whole thing and then having to make your way to your next appointment afterward no matter how endorphinized you feel.

It takes forethought to pack a DVD or two with you before you head out on your trip. However, as soon as you enjoy the benefit of a great yoga session in your hotel room, you’ll have a solid new habit that will help you stay healthy–or get healthier–even when you travel.