Yoga Practice During The Holidays
Same, same but different...
There are so many reasons why our practice can fall away when we’re away—early mornings, late nights, broken sleep, long travel days, full calendars, or simply being wrapped up in family, friends, or just soaking in a new place. And sometimes, if we’ve been pushing hard before the break, what we really need is to do absolutely nothing for a while… and sleep.
I used to feel a bit guilty when I didn’t stick to my usual routine. But now, I see holidays as a time to let go. No pressure. No expectations. There’s a time for everything. Just allowing myself to be is deeply nourishing. One of the best gifts we can give ourselves is a break from the idea that our yoga practice needs to be perfect or consistent.
Truth is, my practice on holidays rarely looks like it does at home. And that’s okay. It might just be ten minutes of stretching on the floor of a hotel room, or a quiet walk on the beach with conscious breath. It might be doing nothing at all and simply resting.
Yoga reminds us not to cling—not to attach to how things “should” look. That lesson feels especially alive when we’re away from our usual rhythms. So if you’re on holiday and your practice looks different—or doesn’t happen at all—that’s perfectly okay. You’re still practicing. You’re still showing up.
“Your yoga practice doesn’t expect you to show up happy. It asks that you be present. It doesn’t mind if you are put together, or if you are a mess. You can arrive with a jumbled mind and a heavy heart. Your practice couldn’t care less if you can touch your toes or meditate for hours. It asks simply, that you show up”. Unknown author.
Yoga is as much about adaptability and presence as it is about doing yoga postures. When a full yoga practice – or getting to a class – is unrealistic there’s gentle ways we can incorporate some yoga into our days to give us a sense of inner connection and to help sustain us with some inner strength and awareness.
Here’s some simple ways to keep moving (and breathing well) when on holidays:
Bed Yoga for Connection & Stillness: Before we get out of bed, check our phone or start making breakfast we can start our day with connection and stillness just being where we are in bed or sitting quietly. Place the hands on the belly, close your eyes, and feel the breath flowing in and out. Listen to the sound of the breath. Watch the air flow. Just a few minutes sets the tone for a relaxed start to the day.
Kitchen Yoga: Waiting for the kettle to boil? Try a half Downward Facing Dog Pose variation with the hands on the kitchen bench to lengthen the spine and stretch open the back of the legs. From there roll over the toes and come into a supported Upwards Facing Dog Pose on the bench. Keep moving from Downward Facing Dog Pose to Upwards Facing Dog Pose with the ’in’ and ‘out’ breath to free up the spine and whole body for a simple kitchen yoga practice.
Short Online Yoga Classes or Apps: A 10- or 15-minute video can be incredibly effective. Don’t underestimate what a short, well-guided practice can do for your body and mind. Here’s a link to a 25 minute Deep Release Yoga practice on my Radiance YouTube channel. You can also sign-up to my online yoga video classes offering for a range of inspirational 10, 15, 20 and 30-minute yoga practices from gentle flow to guided restoration and handstand practices.
Out & About Yoga: I love this type of practice that cultivates creativity and connection with the outdoors and nature. It might be doing some standing yoga postures during a hike to stretch and strengthen or using a park bench to lengthen the spine, doing some seated twists on the train or practicing under the shade of a beautiful tree. Our yoga mat is wherever we are.
- Involve your people: Invite your kids, partner, or friend to join you for a simple yoga session. It doesn’t need to be serious — just shared. It’s a lovely way to connect. Kids love yoga and doing some partner yoga with your friends kids is a great way to relax, laugh and share
- Keep it gentle: Lean into restorative or slow flows. During a busy time, your nervous system will thank you for slower, more supportive practices.
- Evening Legs Up: At the end of a big day out rest the Legs Up the Wall in Viparita Karani or come into Chair Rest position for a deeply restorative 10–20-minute yoga practice that gives us deep rest and transitions us towards our sleeping time. Our yoga is wherever we are…
Yoga during the holidays isn’t about discipline — it’s about care. Let your practice serve you, not the other way around. And remember: even a moment of mindful breath or a gentle stretch is enough.
So keep it simple. Keep it kind. Keep it a practice that serves you in this moment. Some days might be 10 minutes of stretching. Others might be a quiet slow walking meditation or a lying down relaxation after dinner. All of it counts. Non-attachment also means not punishing ourselves. Know that when the time is right, we will return to our regular practice – and hopefully with a fresh perspective, renewed passion and kindness.
For a comprehensive yoga retreat holiday, visit our website and discover more about our Radiance Wellness Retreats in Bali, Byron Bay, New Zealand and beyond.