How to Maintain Your Yoga Practice During the Summer Holidays

Summer holidays can be one of the most enjoyable times of the year—but they can also disrupt almost every part of your usual routine.

Work schedules change, children are home, visitors arrive and weekends quickly fill with Christmas celebrations, day trips and time away. Even if yoga is normally a regular part of your week, it can suddenly become much harder to find the time or motivation to practice.

The good news is that maintaining your yoga practice over summer doesn’t mean following your normal routine perfectly. A few short, flexible sessions can be enough to keep you moving, create moments of calm and make returning to your usual schedule much easier.

Let Go of the Perfect Holiday Routine

One of the biggest barriers to practicing yoga during the holidays is believing that every session needs to be a complete class.

If you normally practice for 45 or 60 minutes, a 10-minute session might not feel worthwhile. But short practices still allow you to move your body, reconnect with your breathing and preserve the habit of stepping onto your mat.

During a busy week, your yoga practice might be:

• Ten minutes of stretching after waking up

• A few standing poses before breakfast

• Gentle movement after a long car trip

• Five minutes of breathing before bed

• A short online class while the house is quiet

• A few restorative poses after a busy day

A shorter practice isn’t an inferior version of yoga. It’s simply a version that fits your life at that moment.

Set a Realistic Summer Goal

Your normal yoga schedule may not suit the summer holidays—and that’s completely fine.

Instead of trying to maintain exactly the same routine, choose a temporary goal that feels achievable. This could be:

• Two short practices each week

• Ten minutes of movement most mornings

• One complete class and one gentle session each week

• A few poses whenever you feel stiff

• Regular breathing or meditation, even when you can’t practice physically

Setting a modest goal makes it easier to remain consistent without turning yoga into another holiday obligation.

If you’re still building a regular routine, our guide to how often a beginner should practice yoga can help you find a manageable starting point.

Create a Simple 10-Minute Holiday Practice

When time is limited, deciding what to do can take longer than the practice itself. Having a short sequence ready removes that decision.

A simple holiday practice might include:

1. Child’s Pose for several slow breaths

2. Cat–Cow to gently mobilise the spine

3. Downward-Facing Dog to lengthen the back of the body

4. Low Lunge on each side to open the hips

5. Warrior II on each side for strength and stability

6. Seated Forward Fold without forcing the stretch

7. Supine Twist on each side

8. Savasana for one or two minutes

Move slowly and adjust the sequence to suit your body. You don’t need to include every pose, and there’s no need to rush to complete the list.

If you’re new to practicing independently, our beginner’s guide to starting yoga at home has more advice on creating a simple and comfortable routine.

Practice Early Before the Day Becomes Busy

During summer, the early morning can be one of the easiest times to practice. The temperature is usually cooler, the house may be quieter and unexpected plans are less likely to interrupt you.

You don’t need to wake up dramatically earlier. Even setting aside ten minutes before checking your phone or beginning breakfast can create a calm start to the day.

Morning practice can be especially practical during hot weather. Australian health guidance recommends scheduling exercise during cooler parts of the day and reducing physical activity during extreme heat.

If mornings don’t work for you, an evening practice may be a better fit. The best time is ultimately the time you can maintain. Our guide to morning versus evening yoga explores the benefits of both.

Take Your Practice Outside

Summer creates more opportunities to practice outdoors—whether that’s in the backyard, at a park, beside the beach or on a shaded deck.

Practicing outside can offer a refreshing change of scenery and help your yoga routine feel like part of the holiday rather than something competing with it.

Choose a stable, shaded location and check the ground for stones, sticks, moisture or uneven areas before laying down your mat. Avoid leaving your mat in direct sunlight for extended periods, particularly if it’s made from natural rubber.

In hot weather, practice early in the morning or later in the day and avoid physically demanding sessions during extreme heat. Bring water, use sun protection and stop if you feel dizzy, unwell or unusually fatigued.

For more practical advice, read our guide to choosing the best yoga mat for outdoor yoga.

Keep Your Yoga Mat Visible

When routines become less structured, visual reminders can help.

If you’re staying home, keep your yoga mat somewhere accessible instead of putting it away in a cupboard. Seeing it beside your bed, near the back door or in your living area can remind you that a short practice is available whenever you have a quiet moment.

You can also leave your mat unrolled temporarily if you have the space, provided it is kept away from direct sunlight, heaters, pets and high-traffic areas.

A dedicated home studio isn’t necessary. You simply need enough room to move safely. Our guide to the best yoga mat for home practice includes more ideas for creating a comfortable and convenient setup.

Take Yoga With You When You Travel

Travelling doesn’t necessarily mean putting your yoga practice on hold.

If you’re driving, you may be able to roll your mat and place it in the car alongside your luggage. Avoid leaving it inside a hot parked vehicle for long periods, as excessive heat may affect some mat materials.

When flying or travelling with limited luggage, you can still practice without carrying your full collection of equipment. A towel can provide a cleaner surface for seated or lying poses, while books can sometimes provide support in place of yoga blocks.

Choose poses that suit the available surface. Balance poses, gentle standing movements and breathing exercises may be more appropriate than weight-bearing poses if the floor is slippery or you don’t have a mat.

Our article Do You Need a Yoga Mat to Do Yoga? explains when practicing without a mat may be suitable and when a proper yoga surface is the safer, more comfortable option.

Use Yoga to Counter Long Periods of Sitting

Summer travel often means spending hours sitting in a car, on a plane or waiting at an airport. Even a relaxing holiday can involve more sitting than expected.

Once you reach your destination, try a few gentle movements such as:

• Cat–Cow

• Low Lunge

• Standing Forward Fold with bent knees

• Gentle spinal twists

• Shoulder rolls

• Side stretches

• Legs Up the Wall

The aim isn’t to complete a strenuous workout. It’s simply to move after being in one position for an extended period.

Move gradually and avoid forcing deeply into a stretch immediately after a long journey.

Make Your Practice Social

Yoga doesn’t always have to be a solitary activity. During the holidays, inviting a friend, partner or family member to join you can make it easier and more enjoyable.

You might:

• Attend a local outdoor class

• Follow a short beginner video together

• Practice beside the pool before swimming

• Stretch after a walk

• Introduce visiting family to a few simple poses

• Meet a friend for yoga followed by coffee

Keep the session inclusive and avoid turning it into a competition. Everybody will have different levels of strength, balance and flexibility.

Use Props to Make Holiday Practice More Comfortable

A holiday practice is often gentler and less structured than a regular class. Props can make restorative poses and stretches more comfortable when you want to slow down.

Yoga blocks can support the hands in standing poses, while a yoga strap can extend your reach without requiring you to force a stretch. A bolster or folded blanket can provide support during restorative poses.

If you’re unsure how different props are used, read our complete guide to yoga props or our beginner’s guide to using yoga blocks.

Second Earth’s Yoga Essentials Pack combines a Connected Eco Yoga Mat, cork yoga block and organic cotton yoga strap for a supported home practice.

Adjust Your Practice for Hot Weather

An intense sequence that feels comfortable on a mild day may feel completely different during an Australian summer.

On particularly hot or humid days:

• Practice during the coolest part of the day

• Choose a shaded or well-ventilated area

• Reduce the duration and intensity

• Take longer rests

• Keep water nearby

• Avoid holding demanding poses for extended periods

• Choose gentle, restorative movement when appropriate

Don’t use yoga as a reason to push through signs of overheating. Stop if you experience dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, headache or feel unusually unwell.

If extreme heat is forecast, moving your practice indoors—or taking a rest day—may be the most sensible choice.

Allow Yoga to Support Your Holidays

Yoga doesn’t have to be another task to complete. It can support the way you want to feel during the holidays.

Some days, you may want an energising sequence before heading out. On others, you may need gentle movement after travelling, quiet breathing after a busy gathering or a restorative pose before bed.

Rather than asking, “Did I complete my yoga practice today?”, try asking:

“What would help me feel better right now?”

The answer could be twenty minutes of movement. It could also be three slow breaths, a walk outside or an early night.

Don’t Feel Guilty About Taking a Break

You may decide that what you need most is a genuine break from your normal routine.

Taking several days—or even a couple of weeks—away from yoga won’t erase everything you have gained. Rest can be an important part of a sustainable practice, particularly after a demanding year.

The value of yoga isn’t measured by an unbroken streak. It comes from the awareness, movement and perspective you develop over time.

If practicing feels supportive, continue in a way that suits your holiday. If it feels like another obligation, give yourself permission to pause.

How to Return to Yoga After the Holidays

When your regular schedule resumes, avoid trying to compensate for missed sessions with a difficult or unusually long practice.

Begin with a familiar beginner class or a shorter sequence. You may feel slightly stiffer or less steady at first, but this doesn’t mean you’ve lost all your progress.

Focus on:

• Moving slowly

• Using props when helpful

• Keeping poses within a comfortable range

• Taking breaks

• Re-establishing consistency gradually

After a few sessions, your practice will likely begin to feel familiar again.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I practice yoga during the holidays?

There’s no required number. One or two short sessions each week may be enough to maintain the habit during a busy period. If you have more time and enjoy practicing regularly, you can continue more often.

Does a 10-minute yoga practice make a difference?

A short practice can help you move after sitting, release some stiffness, focus on your breathing and maintain your routine. Ten minutes is also much easier to fit around travel and holiday commitments than a full class.

Should I take my yoga mat on holiday?

If you’re travelling by car and expect to practice regularly, bringing your mat can make it more comfortable and convenient. For air travel or shorter trips, you may prefer simple standing and seated practices that require little or no equipment.

Can I practice yoga at the beach?

Yes, but sand can be uneven and unstable. Choose gentle poses, avoid difficult balances or forceful transitions and keep your mat away from water and prolonged direct sunlight. A shaded grassy area near the beach may provide a more stable surface.

Is it safe to practice yoga during very hot weather?

Heat can place additional stress on the body. Practice during a cooler part of the day, reduce the intensity and stay hydrated. On extremely hot days, practice indoors in a cool environment or take a rest day.

Will I lose my progress if I stop practicing over Christmas?

A short break won’t erase your progress. You may initially feel a little stiffer when you return, but you can rebuild your rhythm gradually. Long-term consistency matters more than maintaining a perfect schedule every week of the year.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your yoga practice during the summer holidays isn’t about forcing your normal routine into an unusually busy season.

It could mean practicing for ten minutes instead of an hour, moving early before the day becomes hot, stretching after travel or taking several days to rest completely.

Let your practice adapt to your life. The aim isn’t to complete the most sessions—it’s to preserve the connection between movement, breathing and wellbeing in a way that genuinely supports your summer.

Your mat will still be there when you’re ready to return.