The holidays can be a truly magical time, but we all know they can also be stressful AF. It's easy to get overwhelmed by all the planning, the traveling, the traffic, and the family arrangements being thrown at you, but it's important to take a moment to breathe and reset so that you can return to all the good feels that the holiday season brings. A few yoga poses for travel will do wonders to relieve any mental anxiety or physical stiffness you might be struggling with during this hectic time.
Yoga is an incredible form of exercise that doesn't just strengthen and lengthen your entire body; it also allows you to become more mentally aware of your innermost feelings, which in turn provides you with the power to control your reactions to difficult situations.
Now, you might be thinking, how does this woman think I'm going to have time to roll out my yoga mat or go to a class amidst all of the holiday chaos? Not to worry, though, because these soothing and grounding yoga poses can be done absolutely anywhere, at any time, and you don't even need a mat to do them. Try them out when you feel cranky and frazzled after a long car ride or plane trip to help you remain calm, cool, and collected.
Sinking into a high lunge after a long day of traveling will undo all of the tightness you're probably feeling after sitting down in a car or on a plane all day. This bad boy will lengthen your legs and hip flexors and stretch your groin, because those areas all are in need of some major TLC after a long day of being on the move.
Open your chest as you maintain strength in your legs, and on your inhale, stretch your arms toward the sky. On your exhale, sink your front knee a bit deeper.
Warrior II stretches and strengthens your entire lower body, while also giving your outstretched arms a mini workout, as well.
This powerful pose will feel so juicy after a long trip during the holidays, and TBH, your friends and family might just want to sink into this asana right alongside you.
Reverse warrior can feel incredibly graceful and peaceful, as it provides your side body with a nice, rejuvenating stretch. The element of power and strength that warrior II provides is still present here, but the arm variation adds a playful element of fluidity into the mix.
Breathe fully and expansively as you gaze gently up at your lifted arm.
Wide-legged standing forward bend is known to relieve headaches and fatigue — two things that are basically inevitable after a long day of traveling.
Make sure that you fold forward with a flat back in this asana, and once you're down there, observe the sensation in your legs and lower back. Release any tension that you might be holding in your head, neck, and shoulders, and remember to relax your jaw.
Sitting for long periods of time while you're traveling can lead to inactive glutes, which can eventually cause weird, achey issues like dead butt syndrome. Honestly, nobody's got time for an annoyingly sore posterior in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle, amirite?
Utkatasana is an amazing glute-strengthener and chest-opener, and it's here to rescue you from your aching limbs. As you inhale in this pose, raise your arms higher toward the ceiling. As you exhale, sit deeper into your imaginary chair, being mindful that you can see your toes peeking out from beneath your knees.
The holidays are all about finding a happy, blissful balance, and tree pose will help you ground yourself while literally balancing to stay upright.
Root one of your feet into the earth, and place your other foot on either your calf or your thigh. Bring your hands to center, and feel your thumbs connecting to your heart space. For an extra challenge to your center of balance, try closing your eyes.
Breathe deeply, and meditate on all of the things you're grateful for this season.
